EMPATHY TO EDUCATE
By Jéssica Pires
This is the column Who Makes Redes, a compilation of the stories of people who build our organization and who work hard every day to do what we do best: actions and projects for residents of Maré. Learn about these stories, trajectories, experiences and the history of Redes da Maré itself - and how this work and the challenges faced since the pandemic have transformed them.
Aline Araújo (35), born and raised in Vila dos Pinheiros, graduated in Letters at UERJ and has been an educator since then. At Redes da Maré, she arrived to work on the ‘Programa Criança Petrobrás’ project, acting as a reading facilitator and complementing school. Currently, she collaborates with the project Not One Less, which takes place at Cultural Canvas Herbert Vianna and aims to strengthen the bond of children and young people with the school and learning processes, in addition to working in Education for Youth and Adults (EJA).
The motivation to work with Education came from the reference of good teachers and the passion for the Portuguese language. At first, she did not know very well how to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher, but when accessing the Pre-College course, she began to understand the dynamics of exams and universities. “My desire has always been (and still is) to contribute to making the favela a place of opportunity. I have many former students reaching new paths, specializing, taking technical courses, college, and this makes me very happy because education is a right for everyone, not just for some”. For Aline, it is very significant that people from Maré access these places and can dream and learn.
About the learning processes, she believes that “from the moment you understand the other's difficulties and limitations, you can establish a fair and horizontal relationship. Education has this character, it is necessary to know how to listen to what the other says”. Aline also highlights another reality that is very present in Maré: there are many people who did not continue their studies because they had to work. “thinking about the EJA project in Maré is giving access to education to this audience. It is to transform the reality of these people and, thus, of the territory”.
In the ‘Maré says NO to Coronavirus' campaign, she worked, initially, making calls to people who signed up to receive food baskets. Afterwards, she scheduled the delivery of the cards and the distribution of the baskets in the families' homes. “It was an important process for me, as I was able to give myself and be useful at a time of great social vulnerability, due to the pandemic”.
For Aline, what the organization accomplished in the pandemic was incredible, as many families were unable to get any government aid. “The work of Redes, in all areas of activity, is extremely important for the human and territorial development of Maré”.
The educator's greatest wish for the moment is that the coronavirus can be controlled through mass vaccination and that people who have lost someone have the strength to continue. "My wish for our country is that we can have a government that aims to improve the lives of all its inhabitants and that has empathy, respect and an attentive look at justice and real social problems."
