A Different Type of Development
Development of a child comes in many forms. There are the basic development needs such as food, water, shelter and then there are social development needs such as interaction with other children in the community, education and leisure. Casa da Árvore is an organization that believes that development takes form through interaction with ones peers.
Casa da Árvore is an organization based on a model started by a French psychologist, Françoise Dolto of dealing with problems associated with socialization and violence. Casa da Árvore is headed by two psychologists Lulli Milman and Maria Fernanda Carneiro da Cunha Baines. All staff at the organization has psychology degrees and work to help children with social interaction, behavioral issues and integrating them with other children. The first center was started in Rio de Janeiro in October 2001 in Morro dos Macacos, a favela located in Vila Isabel.
A large part of Casa da Árvore’s project is integrating parents into the program. Casa da Árvore’s staff have seen many set backs when it comes to this process. In some communities, the parents are not able to attend activities due to circumstances such as work, etc. For those communities such as Chapéu Mangueira, where they have found progress in integrating parents into the program, the work has a greater impact. Casa da Árvore works with 25-45 kids, three days a week, with different psychologists working at a time, depending on the level of violence within the community.
The kids are recruited through word of mouth; parents rarely bring their own children. Children usually show up with friends already a part of the program, or from referrals from teachers and health care workers within the community. They believe in making a connection with a place, rather than an individual. Casa da Árvore is another organization aiding in the development of children in tough living environments.