At Stairway Foundation, creative expression is more than an activity—it is a vital part of our psycho social support for children who have experienced neglect, abuse, and adversity. Through the arts, children are given safe, non-verbal ways to process emotions, build self-worth, and reconnect with themselves and others.
French artist Henri Lamy has a long-standing creative connection with Stairway Foundation and other child-focused NGOs in the Philippines, including Museo Pambata and Project Pearls. Known for his vibrant visual art and child-centered workshops, he has offered free art sessions over the years, creating spaces where children can express themselves without pressure, judgment, or words.
When Henri first worked with Stairway children in 2016, the workshops combined painting with movement-based elements inspired by capoeira. These sessions encouraged freedom, play, and emotional release. This approach aligns closely with Stairway’s trauma-informed practice, where healing often begins through the body and creative expression.
Many years later, Henri returned to Stairway to work with a new generation of children. While the earlier sessions emphasized movement and energy, the recent workshop offered something equally important in healing: stillness, focus, and reflection. The children engaged in portrait painting, carefully observing faces, mixing colors, and translating their perceptions onto canvas.
The atmosphere was calm and attentive. Sitting together around shared tables, the children worked quietly, absorbed in the process. Each portrait became a personal expression, revealing emotion, curiosity, vulnerability, and confidence. For children whose experiences may have limited opportunities for self-expression, this kind of focused creative space is profoundly grounding.
While the children may change over time, the need for safe, expressive spaces remains constant. Through art, Stairway continues to nurture recovery, growth, and hope—one child, one canvas, one moment at a time.
