Fellow Profile Default
Ashoka Fellow since 1987   |   Brazil

Geraldo Santos Marinho

ARRUAR
Helping Poor Communities Have a Say in Their Own Development
Read more
This description of Geraldo Santos Marinho's work was prepared when Geraldo Santos Marinho was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 1987.

Introduction

Helping Poor Communities Have a Say in Their Own Development

The New Idea

To provide technical and legal assistance to poor communities which will (1) educate them about the potential effects upon their lives of development projects and (2) help them secure basic necessities such as housing, sanitation systems, etc. for themselves without depending upon limited, often flawed, government programs

The Problem

Development projects approved or supervised by the Brazilian government often have negative consequences for poor communities. For example, dam-building projects can result in the displacement of thousands or the destruction of fishing-based economies; urban development schemes are frequentlyRead more

The Strategy

In 1985 Geraldo and two friends founded ARRUAR (Assessoria de Ubanizacao Popular), an organization composed of trained professionals devoted to providing architectural and legal services to people in poor communities. ARRUAR's mission is (1) to help urban slum dwellers understand development andRead more

The Person

Geraldo is a twenty-eight year old architect who graduated from the Federal University of Pernambuco. He left a government job in 1985 to found ARRUAR and devote himself to serving Brazil's poor communities.

Are you a Fellow? Use the Fellow Directory!

This will help you quickly discover and know how best to connect with the other Ashoka Fellows.