Today is World Social Work Day (#wswd17) and I wanted to share a story to celebrate someone that passed on way too soon for circumstances I'll never understand. "Syrian social worker Anas al-Basha worked hard to bring laughter to children by donning a bright-orange wig and acting silly. He was known as the "Clown of Aleppo". This is the least scary clown I've ever seen. Anas al-Basha was 24 when he died last year. He died in a bombing on 11/29/2016, the same day my family went through some personal tragedy. Before finding an article that said he was a "social worker", I thought it was damn rad that he would cheer up little kids who had been through bombings and war. 100,000 children have been affected by the war. "Al-Basha was a director for a group called Space of Home and could have fled Aleppo with his parents in July. Instead, he donned a wig, painted his face, and spread joy to Aleppo's youngest victims." I was struck by his story because of the selflessness, healing, and joy he gave to the most vulnerable in such horrible circumstances. A paradigm of dignity and courage. A very exceptional social worker. Rest In Peace, Power, and Love.
