Casa das Flores (House of Flowers)

The Casa das Flores is a shelter/transitional living program for street girls run by the City of Goiânia. Though it has space for 12 clients, only one bed was occupied when I visited.

Casa das Flores operates under the theory that girls who have been on the street need structure and self-esteem in order to move on to a more normal life. As such, their days are packed with workshops, chores, and school. Discipline is strict and based on a point system, and the program works hard to prevent the girls from running away. Self-esteem is encouraged by art workshops, a yearly fashion show, and mirrors scattered around the building.

The program attempts to prepare the girls for independence and responsibility, but the strict rules and constant supervision make this difficult.

The program also works to reintegrate girls into their families, addressing questions of drugs, poverty, prostitution, siblings, etc. This work appears to have been successful: of 68 girls who have gone through the program in the last three years, 35 left to live with their families.

Contact: Renato Mendes, semterra@bol.com.br