About
MISSION | VISION | VALUES |
OUR VISION:
Building a community of dedicated and invested individuals willing to co-create a better today and tomorrow for all.
OUR MISSION:
Raising awareness and accelerating change through the power of storytelling and knowledge exchange.
FOUNDER'S STORY
From Sandra Massariol, the founder of The House 22.
I want to tell you a story about passion, resilience, and the transformative power of art. I was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, in 1983 and raised in Belgrade, Serbia. In my early childhood, I experienced war, which lasted ten years, from 7 to 17. My family and I lost everything and were forced to move from city to city for a new home, facing rejection and continuous uncertainty. Despite the adversity, I remained committed to using my experiences as a source of strength to discover my life’s purpose.
In 2015, after my father lost a battle with cancer, I felt like I needed a fresh start and a new perspective. I had no money or plan, just my dreams and a burning desire to move. I got. a call from a friend from Geneva: „He said do you want to come to Switzerland for a couple of months? I said yes. Once again, I gave myself the challenge to start life from scratch. I embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery full of challenges and rewards. This new chapter opened unpredictable avenues for growth and expansion.
The child in me, who grew up in the midst of violence, poverty, and injustice, yearned for a world where we could feel safe. Where borders would not limit us, where we could unite through the joy of creativity and be accepted for who we are. For me, that world was only possible when writing poetry, painting, or dancing. When I observe artists creating, I see innocent and carefree children channeling their emotions and visions into beauty. Art and creativity became a sanctuary.
In my 17-year career, I have worked in diverse industries, from art to diplomacy, supporting high-ranking executives in realizing their aspirations and transforming their visions into a reality. And while these experiences equipped me with numerous tools, my desire to make a difference and stand up for social justice was whispering in the back of my head. Dare. Believe. Live
In 2018, I joined a non-profit organization,’ Dance with me, which creates programs for refugee children utilizing improvisational theater, Nonviolent communication, and creative writing to help young people heal and express their experiences through performances based on real-life stories. During my four-year tenure with the organization, I witnessed the power of art as a therapeutic tool on numerous occasions. That’s when I realized that creating a safe environment, fostering creativity and self-expression, and helping people discover that spark of joy gives my life meaning and allows people to feel more connected and kind to themselves and those around them.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took the time to reflect on my next steps and merge my passion for art and project management. That’s when The House 22 came to fruition, and the concept began to take shape. My inaugural project was conceptualizing an art festival called Geneva a Buzz’Art, which celebrated the importance of art by bringing together various forms of expression and offering educational and entertaining programs. From that moment, all my energy was focused on creating concepts and getting the right people to the right place, making change happen.
We are becoming increasingly aware of the interconnectivity of everything, and if we desire conscious and powerful communities that care for our planet, we must begin with the individual. We must help each other find purpose and meaning in our lives and feel accepted for who we are. Only when we learn how to nourish ourselves and truly trust our capacities can we make better decisions and be of service to the world from a loving space.