Art as a Refuge: How Belonging and Cultural Roots Foster Resilience in Migrant Children - Be a Advocate

Venezuela Marka
Jun 5
2 min read

On April 21, 2025, the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington D.C. hosted the Annual Voces Hispanas Summit for Human Rights, a gathering of leaders, advocates, and community builders to address one of today’s most urgent issues: the emotional impact of migration on mental health.

This year’s summit was especially meaningful, taking place during the final weeks of Luis Almagro’s tenure as Secretary General of the OAS, an administration that opened important spaces for dialogue on the rights and well-being of migrants across the region.

Voces Hispanas for Human Rights – Organization of American States 2025

Among the featured speakers was our Executive Director, María Kellermann, representing the Venezuela Marka Foundation, who presented the talk: “Belonging, Roots, and Resilience: The Emotional Impact of Migration on Marginalized Children and Art as a Refuge Against Vulnerability.”

María shared how art—especially dance and cultural traditions—can serve as a powerful tool of resilience for children who have faced difficult migration journeys, often marked by family separation, legal uncertainty, and the challenges of adapting to a new environment.

The work of Venezuela Marka Foundation with migrant children in Florida has shown that creating safe spaces where children can reconnect with their cultural roots, take pride in their heritage, and build new supportive networks has a transformative impact on their emotional well-being.

A Moment That Moved the Room

One of the most touching moments of the summit happened when, after María’s heartfelt testimony, her own daughter, Martina, who was dressed in a traditional Venezuelan costume and participating in the event, spontaneously approached her mother and embraced her in front of the audience.

It was a moment that perfectly embodied the message being shared: art is not just an expression—it is also comfort, connection, and healing. As AMAVEX so beautifully captured in their post:"The purest love needs no words." This moment touched everyone in the room and served as a living example of how the work we do daily in our communities has a real and lasting impact on the lives of our children.

Be an advocate by giving a Voice to Those Who Are Not Always Heard

María’s message was clear: Migrant children are not just statistics or social issues — they are human beings in development who need spaces where they feel safe, accepted, and valued.

Belonging, roots, and resilience are not built in isolation. They are cultivated in every dance rehearsal, in every celebration of cultural traditions, in every safe space where children can express their cultural identity with pride.

Looking Ahead

For the Marka Foundation community, this moment at the OAS is another step in a mission that continues to inspire us to create, support, and dream with and for our children.

Because we know that art is refuge

Culture is identity

& belonging are the foundation of resilience