Kiwi clown brings safety message to Lebanese children

Elvo with children in Lebanon.

Kiwi clown, Aaron Ward is bringing smiles to the children of southern Lebanon with his antics, and at the same time possibly saving their lives by teaching them about the dangers of UXO (unexploded ordnance).

Southern Lebanon is littered with thousands of bomblets and other unexploded weapons of all descriptions, a deadly remnant of the 33 days of intense fighting between Israel and the Hizbollah.

“They’ve been scattered over the countryside, and in the first week after the ceasefire, 17 children were killed by UXO,” said Ward.

“Children are naturally curious, and they pick them up to play with them, so if we can teach them about the dangers, hopefully we’ll be saving lives."

Aaron has travelled south of Beirut to Marjeyoun, where he performed in bombed-out villages and in World Vision’s development projects in the area.

World Vision is ensuring its Child-Friendly Spaces are UXO-free, enabling children to play and learn in a safe environment.

World Vision is printing and distributing 100,000 posters and leaflets along with teacher training kits and children’s games and books to educate Lebanese children and their families about the dangers of UXO.

This weekend Ward travels down the coast to Sidon to perform shows there.

Aaron Ward leaves Lebanon on October 9.