The Beginning of a Journey

 Before meeting Nicole, I already had my own initiative — a personal dream of creating art projects for children in schools around the world, so they could learn about each other’s cultures and broaden their horizons. I had absolutely no background in education, nor did I know much about school systems. Yet somehow, as if by magic and synchronicity, I found myself working with teachers from around the world.

Projekt Postcard became part of several school curriculums, and soon I began seeing the impact it had on the children who participated.

I started alone — with nothing more than a dream that became an idea, and then a reality. It was a project born from the heart, aligned perfectly with the ideas in my mind. When the heart and mind work together like that, it’s as if you hold a master key — one that opens doors and allows beautiful projects to come to life. For four years, I continued building these artistic connections. “Art enables us to lose ourselves and find ourselves at the same time,” wrote Thomas Merton — and he was right.

The more time I spent daydreaming about my projects and their possibilities, the more I felt as if they had already happened.

From my office window, I would look outside and imagine all the potential participants scattered around the world. It became a simple yet powerful exercise of the heart, mind, and action. After each daydream, I would do my research, find my contacts, write to them, and wait for a reply. And, like messages traveling through the clouds, my words would reach strangers in distant places — teachers, artists, and dreamers — who soon became friends.

It has been nearly eight years since my path first crossed with Nicole, and together we began creating space-themed art projects for children in hospitals. Over time, our work expanded to include children in schools, refugee centers, and any child who wanted to be part of this creative journey.

I believe the success of these projects came from the strength of our team, led by Nicole’s vision and heart.

Our purpose was rooted in a shared intention to do good — fueled by compassion, creativity, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Each of us gave our time freely, setting aside our daily routines to serve something greater than ourselves.

Maria Lanas