Volunteer Work in Brazil

Volunteer work in Brazil

Volunteer work in Brazil: Projects

As a volunteer in Brazil, you will be placed in one of six possible projects. We will make an effort to place you in your preferred project, but we cannot guarantee that this will be possible. Wherever you are placed, the local establishment where you volunteer will be happy to welcome you. You will volunteer anywhere from 10 hours a week to 6 hours each day, depending on the project. During the volunteer work, you will either live with a host family at half board or in a lodge for Project 1.

• Project 1: Animal Protection and Nature Project, Curitiba

  30 km from the centre of Curitiba you can assist with the capture and breeding of threatened animals. Over 1000 animal species, including jaguars, monkeys, toucans, and bush dogs, are under constant care here, so the project is able to offer many various placements to volunteers. You may help feed the animals, assist the veterinarian in caring for the animals, or clean out enclosures as part of your volunteer work in Brazil. You may also be responsible for clearing paths, monitoring endangered plants, or planting trees. Your volunteer work in Brazil in this project will vary depending on the weather.

• Project 2: Children's Home, Curitiba

  This children's home was founded in 1996, and is now a safe haven for children who have experienced violence and abuse at home. While the older children are in school, the home's employees feed and care for the younger children. After school is out, you will organise free-time activities for the children. This may include painting, theatre, or dance - use your imagination! You will also help with homework or teach English to children as you engage in volunteer work in Brazil.

• Project 3: Children's Daycare Centre, Florianópolis

  A children's daycare centre for children aged 8 to 16 lies in the centre of Florianópolis. The centre especially helps children who have trouble in school. Volunteers work 6 hours per day here, and are responsible for various tasks, which depend on the sort of help the day care centre needs at the time. You will help the workers at the centre to plan afternoon activities; paint, sing, or play with the children; read stories to the children; or prepare meals. Aside from this, you could also help with cleaning and painting as a part of your volunteer work in Brazil.

• Project 4: Community Centre, Rio de Janeiro

  Since 1984, the Community Centre has taken in children and teenagers, aged 6-18, from the surrounding communities. The children come from socially weak families and are cared for here for half of the day after school. Your volunteer work here will be quite varied, and may include offering sport lessons, organising free-time activities, making crafts with the children, teaching English or computer skills, supervising homework, helping with dance or music workshops, or taking care of the garden. There is always something to do!
  
  

• Project 5: Family Assistance, Rio de Janeiro

  The family assistance project is geared toward families with children, and is especially concerned with health guidance and precautions. Children and parents receive valuable tips and assistance, which help them to live healthier lives. You will volunteer half days, either mornings or afternoons, helping with various health workshops covering topics such as hygiene, nutrition, sexual education, and the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases. Aside from promoting good health, your work will also include an important social component. Many children come from poor backgrounds, and their self-esteem should be encouraged. Playing, making crafts, painting, offering English and computer skills instruction, dancing, and doing theatre-related activities will be among your tasks.
  
  

• Project 6: Nature and Environmental Protection, Rio de Janeiro

  You can also volunteer to protect the environment right in Rio, at the Tijuca National Park. The largest city national park on earth, Tijuca is located at the edge of the pulsing metropolis. Listed as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the park works as an “air conditioner” for the city, lowering temperatures as far as 9° C. With over 30 thundering waterfalls, gorges, and labyrinthine caves, Tijuca is also full of varied flora and fauna – not to mention the famous statue of Christ, Cristo Redentor, which overlooks the city from Corcovado Mountain. The national park was almost destroyed by coffee and sugar cane plantations, but through a dramatic reforestation programme, part of the park has been saved.
  
  As a volunteer, you will have the chance to work in a team, supporting park workers with many tasks. For example, you will be planting trees, conducting animal and plant studies, building fences, reforesting the area, creating new living spaces for the animals, maintaining paths, leading visitors through the park, and offering English instruction to the park’s staff. You will work Tuesdays, Thursdays, and at the weekend, about 5 hours each day. It can be cooler in the park than it is in the city, so bring along warm clothing and shoes.