Rödl Employee Fund for Children's Aid supports the project of the Jerxen-Orbke kindergarten in Detmold

During the last summer party in the kindergarten the teachers already had the possibility to see Petersilie artistically interacting with the children and parents. It was a pleasure to see how easily, calmly and friend­ly the Clown approached children in a manner appropriate to their age, thus easing tension and stimulating imagination.

This gave rise to the idea that Clown Petersilie should visit the children more often. For three months now, the Clown has been visiting the Jerxen-Orbke kindergarten once a week for 2-3 hours on Thursday mornings. This allows the children to familiarise with the special guest. Clown Petersilie establishes contact with children who are socially and emotionally overwhelmed, and thus become stressed. As a kind of mythical creature, the Clown is not perceived as an adult by the children and thus is able to approach them in a different manner. The play is always inspired by everyday situations as well as children's imagination and emotions – building blocks become Morse codes, clothes pegs become cheeky creatures, carrots are sort of donkey treats, there are invisible letters or spontaneously invented plays ... The aim is always to surprise children, make them laugh and build up trust during the encounter.  

Clown Petersilie is actually Petra Husemann-Harkis who has been working regularly in two retirement homes as an emotional support clown since summer 2023. She is very creative when responding to moods and situations. If anyone needs contact and attention, she makes jokes, laughs with the children and hugs them; as a clown she is not afraid of difficult situations and can also cope with bad mood and tears. There is no stage or applause. The encounter itself makes the magic. And children are so unique because of their honesty and spontaneity.

For over 20 years, Petra Husemann-Harkis’ major full-time profession has been her work as a qualified social pedagogue at the Christian Morgenstern School, a special-needs school for emotional and social development in primary education in Detmold, which she performs with great commitment. ​