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TIERRAVIVA - Argentina

In Argentina, when mothers go to jail, their children go with them. Tierraviva is a humanitarian program in Argentina dedicated to strengthening the ties between mothers who are living in prison and their children to help break the tragic cycle of incarceration. Some of this takes place by providing art, drama, dance classes, and other workshops to the women and their preschool children who live with them in prison.

Tierraviva now has an established, formal partnership with the Ministry of Justice, which views Tierraviva's work as a model of rehabilitation and prevention. The Ministry has helped finance workshops where the incarcerated mothers receive some income for the toys and art they produce in conjunction with support from Tierraviva's volunteer workers.

The following words are taken from Rasjid Cesar in Argentina:

"We really must say that taking on the challenge of beginning this process of work with mothers and children has been very good, and has permitted that the humanitarian situation of the mothers and children who live and grow up in prison be brought to light. Before our workshop, there was no program or activity in existence for mothers and children in prison, which addressed and considered important the relationship between mothers and children in prison. It is not hard to imagine the difficulties (moreover the pain) of being a mother deprived of liberty who has to raise a child in prison. Nevertheless, there is nothing provided to assist and facilitate for these mothers the necessary conditions for them to be able to lessen the negative impacts imposed on their children by the fact of their being raised in captivity.

Considering that the child has committed no crime, and has the right to receive adequate care from the mother that will be good for his/her development, we cannot accept that the punishments that the mother is subject to affect this right of the child. If we must accept that children exist in prison, we are at least OBLIGED TO GUARANTEE that in the penitentiary wings for mothers and children there be a human environment facilitator that makes possible a psychophysical, emotional, and cognitive development adequate for the child. This environment facilitator will be sustained, greatly promoting the respect and encouragement of the rapid achievement of a positive role for the mother in order to bring quality care to the children, and to lessen the negativity of life in captivity. "

The natural rights of the mothers and children must be guaranteed, and this is really the point of Tierraviva's vision and goals. UNICEF Argentina has an actual interest, as they already have an area dedicated to these populations. This program is recognized for its pioneering efforts. Formal negotiations are taking place as Tierraviva endeavors to assure a more auspicious future for this work and its growth, sustaining the functioning of the workshops on a regular basis.

Tierraviva is also fortunate to have two volunteers who are professors devoted to this work, which requires support for the growing activities and needs of the project. As Tierraviva grows and establishes well-formed groups of mothers, continuing support is needed for materials used in the workshops along with constant assistance in providing necessities for the children such as diapers, phone cards, and additional powdered milk.