The Storytelling Project

Because a home filled with stories is a home filled with possibility.

At Urganiqa, our work has always been about creating warmth and meaning at home, through scents, rituals, and the little moments that make life richer. But we also believe that the most enduring warmth comes from stories — the ones we hear, share, and pass down. That’s why we’re proud to support The Storytelling Project (TSP), a non-profit bringing the magic of reading to children in the farthest corners of the Philippines.

Why This Matters to Us

I didn’t grow up with shelves full of books. I was raised in a place where safe drinking water isn’t readily available and reading felt like a luxury meant for someone else. But every so often, a tattered, borrowed book would find its way to me and I’d cling to it like gold. Stories gave me hope, escape, and a reason to dream.

In 2009, when I got my first job, I began volunteering in communities like the one I grew up in — reading to children who reminded me so much of myself. We’d gather under trees or cramped halls, sharing stories of far-off lands and everyday magic. I knew back then that it wasn’t just about what’s written in those books, but in what they unlock. It was about opening windows into worlds these kids hadn’t known they were allowed to dream of.

An escape.

A possibility.

A gentle defiance of the boundaries they were born into.

So when I started Urganiqa, it wasn’t just about making things that smell good. It was about what scent can awaken — memories, emotions, the rituals of coming home to yourself and the quiet threads that connect us to others. Lighting a candle can be a small thing. But in the right moment, it becomes something else entirely. And when that candle — that little vessel of light and scent — also carries a purpose beyond the flame... that's when it becomes truly powerful.

That’s why we are committing a portion of every sale toward supporting literacy programs in underserved areas of the Philippines.

This is my way of keeping that light going.

What The Storytelling Project Does

Founded in 2012, TSP travels to remote communities where access to books and learning resources is scarce. Their three-phase “Happy Learning” program — Imagine, Create, Share — brings stories to life in a way that’s playful, engaging, and community-driven:

• Imagine — Children immerse themselves in storytelling sessions that spark creativity and open doors to imagination.

• Create — Communities and schools build or restore libraries, making books a permanent part of everyday life.

• Share — Children grow into storytellers themselves, sharing knowledge and inspiring others.

Since its founding, TSP has reached over 10,000 children, trained thousands of teachers and volunteers, and donated more than 20,000 storybooks — changing not just individual lives, but whole communities.

The Bigger Picture

With 91% of Filipino children facing learning poverty, the need for joyful, accessible reading programs is urgent. Supporting TSP is our way of helping bridge that gap — so that more children can grow up not just knowing how to read, but loving to read.

Because stories are more than words on a page. They’re memories in the making, courage in the face of challenge, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. And when we share them, we share a piece of ourselves.