Herrre’s..... Aunty Giggles

Years later, she would get serious about her clowning and delight children with her character, Aunty Giggles.

Bangura told Sunday Newsday she was born and raised in San Juan and is one of four children. While attending Newtown Girls’ RC School and Providence Girls’ Catholic School she was always the class clown.

“All about having people laughing and grinning in class rather than doing work.” When her mother would go to Parent Teacher Association meetings the teachers always reported that “Kayleen would prefer to have the class in stitches than doing (school)work.” Sometimes she would run into some of her former teachers, who are never surprised when they find out about her profession.

She graduated with three Ordinary Level passes and had to repeat some subjects at San Juan Government Secondary. She then attended the Stenotype College, a secretarial school, where she continued to be the class clown. “I really do like to see people laugh. The few seconds they forget their troubles of life is all worth it.” She said that she likes people to belly laugh and really enjoy the joke.

After she completed secretarial school she went on to work at various law firms and her bosses were confused as to why she was always laughing. “I could not fit in.” She worked in the insurance industry and then at a doctor’s office until she got married and became a stay-at-home mom to two boys, who she home-schools. Bangura thought about ways in which she could generate income and recalled seeing a number of people doing face painting and balloon twisting.

In December 2012, she purchased a Santa Claus suit from Amazon and played the character for events at the Tunapuna Presbyterian School and a number of preschools. She had difficulty speaking in a male voice so the character was silent. She recalled there was one boy who realised she was female and shouted “Is a lady!” She eventually added cotton candy and popcorn to her act. But with so many people doing this type of business she needed to do something to stay “ahead of the pack”. That was when she began incorporating a kids comedy magic show in her act.

A sign language interpreter for over two decades, she explained that she had a background of being creative and was always good with her hands so she was able to quickly pick up the tricks she saw on YouTube. She also learned balloon twisting from watching videos online. The balloon twisting evolved into a balloon show, where the balloons become characters in a story. Her stories for the show includes the nursery rhyme The Old Lady Who Swallowed the Fly and The Three Little Pigs.

“It is fun for the kids.” One of her specialities is her balloon candy cups - cups with treats topped with balloon decorations - which are an alternative to party bags.

Asked about the name Aunty Giggles, which she began using three years ago, Bangura recalled that her teachers used to ask her why she was always giggling and this inspired the name. She said sometimes even while out of costume going about her business children would recognise her and shout “Aunty Giggles!” She said the kids really get into her shows and some adults say they enjoy the show even more than the children. She performs at children’s parties, church events, baby showers and does balloon twisting for corporate events.

She really loves what she does and every time she puts on her costume she gets excited like it is the very first time.

As Aunty Giggles she would love to visit hospitals and perform for children for free as “they could do with a little laughter.” She also hopes to take her act regionally in the future.

“It’s a real joy. I wouldn’t trade this job for sitting down behind a desk.” On Facebook she can be found at Aunty Giggles Balloon Candy Cups ‘n’ Belly Buddies or contacted via telephone at 774-3377.