Context & objectives
Our missions in the Philippines focused on delivering tools to populations affected by natural catastrophes. In 2013, as Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda destroyed 550,928 homes completely, the Red Pencil reached out to render short term arts therapy interventions. Addressing the trauma caused by the natural disaster, often characterized by intense fear, helplessness and horror, the purpose of the humanitarian mission was to employ creative tools for self-expression and emotional regulation.
For the last mission, in 2015-16, Legazpi was a mixed city with some very rich but a lot more disadvantaged community. The population is 182,000 and 59 sq miles. The communities we worked with were highly disadvantaged slum areas. Sanitation was poor and many families lived in cramped housing which is prone to flooding in typhoon season.
There is a lot of social issues such as neglect and abuse in these communities as reported by the partner organization.
The aims of the missions were i) to provide art therapy group sessions to children, teenagers and mothers to allow them to explore the creative process of art-making and non-verbal self-expression, and ii) to train caregivers and staff in using art as therapy in their work.
Impact
Here are two testimonies from the
« We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the Art Therapy done to our pupils. Indeed it helps a lot. The teachers will integrate the activities in their lessons, the song and will always be done starting the discussion. Above all, the experience will always linger in the memory of our pupils. Especially to Mam Laurence, thank you so much for spearheading this heroic deed. Continue touching lives and we will always be looking forward for your presence again. Thank you so much ! ».
Dante D. Espera, Principa, Calingatnan Elementary School
« I want to thank the Red Pencil for their work and trust in us. The organization has provided us with important work-skills development, providing us tools and most of all, has left us with the wonderful gift to have had the opportunity to work with all these people. I’m very glad to have been part of it».
Paulina Parra
Partners
Our gratitude goes to donor Daniel Polner, Tiwala, Singapore Red Cross and Charis.
