Location: PHILIPPINES
The Art Workshop with Therapy for Marginalized Voices began with a simple intention: to help children and youth find a safe place to release emotions that often remain unspoken. Through painting, drawing, and guided reflection, young participants explored themes of healing, nature, and personal resilience. Many of their artworks, held proudly during sessions and captured in project documentation, became windows into struggles they had never been able to articulate before. Working closely with local schools, community leaders, and grassroots groups, the project created supportive spaces where creativity, emotional wellness, compassion for animals, and environmental awareness could coexist as part of a holistic approach to community care.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
Thanks to The Pollination Project’s grant, the effort grew from a heartfelt idea into a structured program reaching 200 people and supported by 350 volunteer hours. With the grant funds, the team was able to purchase watercolor sets, brushes, crayons, pads, journals, notebooks, and snacks, materials that made each session accessible to children who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to participate.
“The Pollination Project didn’t just provide funds; it strengthened our belief that healing can begin with small, compassionate actions,” shared project lead Rizelle Guntalilib.
Many parents reported seeing changes in communication, confidence, and emotional balance in their children. Volunteers also found renewed purpose, with one sharing, “I saw how art opened doors that words couldn’t.” By removing financial barriers and validating the importance of emotional well-being, the grant helped nurture a culture of care deeply rooted in community-driven philanthropy and youth empowerment. This impact extended beyond art alone, influencing conversations around mental health, community resilience, and even the interconnectedness between people, land, and animals, an important link in regions where agriculture shapes daily life.
The Future
Looking ahead, the organizers plan to expand the program to additional schools and barangays while training young leaders as future facilitators. They also envision partnerships with counselors to provide sustained support and aim to establish a permanent Art and Healing Hub where creative therapy, community workshops, and environmental awareness activities can flourish side by side.
“This project taught us that creative expression can spark hope in places where silence once lived,” Guntalilib reflected.
With continued support, the initiative is poised to deepen its reach and strengthen a model of grassroots healing that uplifts both individuals and the community as a whole.
The TPP support became the foundation of our growing movement for healing and compassion. Through this experience, I realized that art can be both advocacy and ministry, touching hearts where words sometimes cannot. I am deeply grateful to TPP for believing in ordinary people doing extraordinary work for love and humanity.
Rizelle Guntalilib
Rizelle Guntalilib is an advocate, author, and artist dedicated to preserving Filipino culture, empowering young people, and advancing mental health awareness. Her creative work celebrates the richness of Philippine heritage while opening pathways for youth to explore their own voices and potential. She collaborates with organizations such as Smile Train and Project Pearls, extending support to marginalized communities through programs rooted in compassion, education, and artistic expression. Guided by a clear mission to spark meaningful change, she uses storytelling, art, and advocacy to nurture resilience, connection, and hope.
Join The Pollination Project in seeding a global movement of grassroots change. When we invest in passionate local leaders, small acts of generosity blossom into lasting impact. Every dollar you give takes root in communities, growing into sustainable solutions that touch countless lives.
