Volunteer Abroad - Brazil

  Brazil

• Salvador: 
Salvador

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Beginning at various dates year-round

Description: Volunteering abroad is the opportunity of a lifetime, and our flexible short-term programs let you design your ideal experience in Brazil. Volunteer from 1 week to 3 months in meaningful projects that will let you work side-by-side with local people and experience Brazilian life and culture like never before.

As an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you're making a positive contribution, by sharing in the goals of a local Brazilian community that warmly welcomes you. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself. It's an exciting and personally inspiring experience, and you'll develop memories that will stay with you forever.

As a volunteer in Brazil, you will have the unique opportunity to experience the culture of one of the most diverse nations in the world from the inside out. Brazil's population includes people of European, Asian, Arab, African, and indigenous descent.

While the city of Salvador is rich in beauty, from its Atlantic coast to its Pelourihno arts district, it is also home to many shantytowns. CCS volunteers working in Brazil have the opportunity to contribute to community-based projects initiated by the residents of these shantytowns. One such town is Alagados. Meaning "flooded," it is made up of shacks built over water on stilts. Most residents are under the age of 20, and the community-based organizations help to provide them with education, employment, and health care.

Volunteers in Brazil are involved with the following types of placements:

    * caring for infants and children
    * teaching children
    * teaching English
    * assisting teachers
    * observing and assisting local health professionals
    * work towards women's empowerment
    * care for the elderly
    * work with people affected by HIV/AIDS

CCS offers the following programs in Brazil:
Volunteer Abroad -- 2 to 12 weeks
Insight Abroad -- 1 week

Highlights: Salvador is Brazil's oldest city, and the center of Afro-Brazilian culture. Salvador's history as the main Atlantic port for the spice route and the slave trade are credited with creating its mix of races, cultures and faiths, distinguishing it from any other place on earth. Candomble, a religion carried down from African slaves and mixed with the Catholicism of colonial settlers, is still practiced regularly along with capoeira, an African martial art that combines skill with rhythm and dancing.

Proud of their culture, Brazilians have maintained their unique way of life. They always take time to honor and celebrate their beliefs, and enjoy sharing their customs with others. Brazilians seem to be always in a mode of celebration; the country's beauty seems to foster happiness and optimism in its people.

From fair skinned, to olive skinned, to those of African descents, it is hard to tell who is Brazilian and who is not. This diversity has resulted in Brazilian's having an outgoing and welcoming nature. In Salvador, it is not odd to catch a stranger smiling at you on a bus or at a local shop. While visiting, you will be invited to jump right into samba, a capoeira lesson, or a friendly conversation about Brazilian politics.

Qualifications: No special skills or experience required.

Cost in US$: Visit our website for program fees.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: While other volunteer programs may require certain skills or degrees, Cross-Cultural Solutions' programs are open to everyone. No matter what you believe your skill level to be, you have something meaningful and helpful to offer. We are dedicated to providing a meaningful placement for anyone willing to volunteer, and believe that the only skills required for international volunteering are a willingness to learn and an open mind.

Age Range: 18 and older, young volunteers accepted with application

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Cross-Cultural Solutions's Mission Statement: Our mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. We are an international not-for-profit organization with no political or religious affiliations.

Year Founded: 1995