Visit to ARIA SOCIAL - Friday 255/2012

Today we visited Aria Social which has strong links with Casa Da Crianca .

This was an important visit as it brought to life the real work of Casa Da Crianca .

Through the project Casa Da Crianca , Aria which was a ballet and music school for  paying students was persuaded to open it's doors to children with low income and social problems , many of whom live in the Favelas (slums).

Whilst we were there we asked the students , aged between 12 and 17  what it was like to be part of the Aria . The first answer from a young girl was 'Love' , then 'friendship , 'belonging ' and all very positive comments . One young boy described his life before joining Aria and told us about being homeless and aimless with no focus in his life . Aria changed this for him . These youths practice 5 days a week and are so talented in both dancing and singing . They also performed an African slavery dance for us . 

It was a fantastic experience. 

More information and photos   

What is ARIA Social?

Aria Social aims to be the first introduction, through art and culture, in providing children and youths to  awaken their artistic and creative potential and to improve opportunities in their personal, professional lives and support them to recognise their  civilian identity.

Through continuing education workshops in the areas of dance, music (singing / choir), capoeira and percussion, Aria has an average of 420 students, from low-income communities and high social risk, making art a privileged way to strengthen self-esteem and the development of personal, relational, cognitive and productive. Thus, in addition to educational opportunities focused on art education, develop complementary actions and impactful for the professional future of our youth through workshops for "telling" stories, poetry and literature, text production, computer classes, cultural lectures, preventive and human development, monitoring of school performance, and psychosocial support.