To improve well-being!
To inspire communities!
Helping local communities through Arts Therapy: a powerful tool!
INSPIRE
We believe that through Arts Therapy one can work on emotions and personal issues in a different approach than regular psychological support. Indeed Arts Therapy help to express hidden feelings and emotions, reduce stress and anxiety in addition to reinforcing self-confidence through succesful artwork.
HEAL
Through the action of Pintar En Bolivia we want to improve the well-being of children and women in difficulties in Cochabamba, Bolivia. We aim to help them experience a differentiated and professional psychological support to help them overcome their issues and find strength to overcome what the future awaits them.
EMPOWER
Through collaboration with different organizations and intermediaries, we want to transfer our knowledge and expertise at a local level, in order to make the project self-sustainable in the long term, and to empower local communities to take action for their well-being.
History of the project
The ‘Pintar en Bolivia’ project was first started in 2015 when Lisan Van der Wal, then student in Bachelor of Art therapy in Holland, conducted an explorative project assessing the feasibility of developing an arts therapy support in Cochabamba, Bolivia; a country where this type of therapy is inexistent. The project was initially carried out in two locations: Hospital Viedma and Clinica Los Olivos, where the introduction of Art therapy was a great success! Consequently, Lisan came back for a trimester in autumn 2016 to determine how to further develop the project in Cochabamba and turn it into a new foundation. Through analysing the different options we had to develop the project with various local associations in need, two new projects aroused: Mosoj and Casa de Atención a las Mujeres (CAM).
In order to come back and further implement the project, Lisan worked hard back in Holland to make her dream come true. In early June 2017 the project officially became a non-profit organisation. The following week the organisation held a benefit dinner in Holland to communicate about the project and raise enough money to kick-start it.
In August 2017 Lisan returned to Cochabamba to further implement the project. She was warmly welcomed by the various partner centres, all very excited to resume collaboration and work together towards a common goal. Fortunately the success of the foundation continues to grow. We hope that as a consequence we will be able to fully implement the foundation, and make it self-sustainable in order for it to constantly be present in Bolivia ensuring the continuity of the projects and the introduction of new insights throughout Bolivia and hopefully one day Latin America.
Our Beliefs
Integrate Art Therapy
Encouraging professionnals to integrate artistic therapies into their social and heathcare system
Arts can be anywhere
We aim towards integrating a variety of public places towards showing that the arts hold and important place in daily lives and can be practiced in a variety of environments
Raising awareness
Raising awareness among local communities, through various events and information workshop, about the therapeutical effect of art therapy on child well-being
Knowledge transmission
We highly emphasise on helping local communities through education and not merely instant problem solving
International spirit
Fostering intercultural exchange thanks to the involvement of both local and international team members and volunteers
The art of acting locally
Through the sourcing of local tangible resources as well as involving local volunteers opening their eyes on issues happening around them
Our Dream Team
Lisan
Founder
From my early childhood on, I kept myself busy with creative endeavours: dance, theatre, art and sports have always been a constant part of my life. Later on, I developped a high interest for philanthropie. Subsequently, when I was ready to take care of myself, I started to explore the world and discovered my love for traveling, history and the diversity of humans and culture.
‘Pintar En Bolivia’ is the amalgamation of all these metionned interests and passions I developped during my life.With the creation of this project I therefore try to join my forces: to combine my passion for creativity, for the world and for humanitarian services. To step out of my comfort zone and follow my dreams!
Marianne
Board Member - Finances
Floor
Main coordinator fundraising
Annette
Board Member - Secretary
Fabiola
Graphic designer
Aliénor
Business counselling and communication
Emma
Coordinator Newsletter and author
Our Supporters
