World Laughter Master Belachew Girma appointed Robin as his first International Ambassador for Laughter For All Ethiopia for supporting Ethiopian National Laughter Day and individuals needing help with education. The World Laughter Master, Belachew Girma, is an inspirational Ethiopian laughter therapist. He set up the world’s first government-backed National Laughter Day and Africa’s first school of indigenous laughter. He holds the world record for continuous laughter at 3 hours and 35 minutes. Robin is the first International Ambassador for Laughter For All Ethiopia. From 2008 until 2015, we supported the annual Ethiopia National Laughter Day, laughing at events with The World Laughter Master, and spreading awareness of the work being done with laughter in Ethiopia to help tackle depression and health issues.
In 2009, Ethiopia National Laughter Day was held in Awassa, south of Addis Ababa. One hundred Addis Ababa school children and people representing different parts of Ethiopian communities were also present as we marched through the streets of Awassa with laughter. On the march, we met a street boy who enjoyed the parade with us. When it was over, we wanted to give him a gift and asked through an interpreter what he would like. He said, “An education”. Ever since, we have sent money to support him through education. A few years ago, he told us through our interpreter, “Without you, I would be dead.” It was a reminder of how a relatively small amount of money can change someone’s life. A wise young Dutch man we met in Awassa pointed out, “It is not your money, it is God’s money. You are just looking after it.” Through our visits, we have also met with and helped three university students with fees and laptops.
