Inclination on health when living in underserved circumstances

Poverty has a dangerous impact on children's health and development. Chronic exposure to hazardous substances from poor housing (lead, asbestos), homelessness, food insecurity, obesity, asthma, physical and sexual abuse, unsafe neighbourhoods, and little to no access to health care have myriad impacts on physical health and drastically reduce children's life chances.

Children living in poverty are also more likely to feel like a failure and often develop a sense of hopelessness about their future.

The most striking effect is poverty-induced stress. When a child experiences stress day in and day out and fails to calm down, the life-saving "fight-or-flight" response turns into a life-threatening one, with the released adrenaline and cortisol turning against the body. Toxic stress disrupts a child's brain development, immune system, cardiovascular system and metabolism and increases the risk of chronic disease and cognitive impairment well into adulthood.

On June 21, 2023, the first edition of 10Children premiered in Cleveland, Ohio.

The opening speech was delivered by Liesbeth Coltof & Dennis Meyer.

You can read it here.

Our partners

We partnered up with The MetroHealth System, and their Institute for H.O.P.E.™, Center for Arts in Health and School Health Program. The theatrical performance was produced by the Cleveland Play House. Well-known playwright Eric Schmiedl penned the script, and Liesbeth Coltof directed. The director of Cleveland State University’s (CSU) School of Film & Media Arts, Cigdem Slankard, made the documentary with CSU students. LAND studio and MetroHealth worked with visual artist Amber Ford to create photography exhibitions with the children. For the education package, we collaborated with the MetroHealth and Cleveland Play House.

The entire project was funded locally through grants, philanthropic donations and the Netherlands-America Foundation.

Watching butterflies

Performance

Five children find themselves in a strange, empty room. No windows. No doors. And no phones to call home. How did they get there? How will they get out?

Watching butterflies

Performance

Five children find themselves in a strange, empty room. No windows. No doors. And no phones to call home. How did they get there? How will they get out?

Lead in the land

Documentary

A documentary film, which examines lead poisoning in Cleveland. The film tells a poignant story that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Lead in the land

Documentary

A documentary film, which examines lead poisoning in Cleveland. The film tells a poignant story that resonates with contemporary audiences.

Scenic art

Photography exhibition

LAND studio and MetroHealth worked with visual artist Amber Ford to create photography exhibitions with the children of the neighbourhoods.more

Scenic art

Photography exhibition

LAND studio and MetroHealth worked with visual artist Amber Ford to create photography exhibitions with the children of the neighbourhoods.

Making butterflies

Education program

Children participating in the after-school programs in the neighborhoods where we work made colorful butterflies with their wishes for the future written down. These butterflies will be part of the scenery of the performance and will also be part of the decoration of the theater. During performance week, the audience, children and their families, will have the opportunity to work on new butterflies.