Construction and Solidarity

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Come to Rio de Janeiro and help to cause a positive impact in an organization that attends hundreds of Street Children.

Se Essa Rua Fosse Minha - SERFM (If This Street Was Mine), appeared in 1990 of a coalition of four NGOs which elaborated a project seeking to sensitize the population and the public sectors about the terrific reality of the so called street children. Since its appearance, SERFM purpose is to open new horizons for the children using the Art as central axis of their pedagogic activities, in a changing perspective.

Today, SERFM divides its activities between the Street Approach Nucleus (Núcleo de Abordagem de Rua), the Creative Development Center - CDC (Centro de Desenvolvimento Criativo), the Communities Nucleus and the Social Circus School, developing a daily service capacity for more than 600 children, youths and teenagers.

Aware of the importance in involving the whole society on the search of ways that lead to a better life quality to those children, SERFM has tried to strengthen its actions through partnerships with countless actors of the organized civil society and public sector. It also participates on the creation of many networks, like the Cirque du Monde (World Circus), which has spread throughout the world SERFMs work with circus arts to children and youths in risky situation, and the Rede Rio Criança (Rios Children Network), which gathers NGOs that develop works aimed to street children in Rio de Janeiro State.

Being the Art & Culture an essential part of SERFMs work and having its actions directed in a perspective change, it is vital to strengthen the cultural interchange on the search of new ways that appear from the multiplicity of visions which compose our world today.

The SERFMs house (headquarter), received as a donation, is where the Creative Development Center - CDC, activities are done, and it also serves as a support to many communitary development projects promoted by SERFM.

With a daily attendance capacity of approximately 150 children, teenagers and youths, besides the spaces for meetings with families, the old house is a constructions from the beginning of the century, a city historical inheritance.

In agreement with the finality to rescue the popular solidarity practice, the houses recovering program searches to integrate professionals, youngs tended by the institution, project participants and the whole neighborhood community group, as well as local and international volunteers, on a collective effort that serves as a community coexistence experience, not to mention the progress that its recovering will mean to SERFMs projects.

Highlights: The programs are formatted according to our volunteers' abilities and interests and the partner organization necessities, in a way it is very rewarding and productive to both

Qualifications:
- Volunteers must be open-minded.
- Volunteers must be flexible.
- Volunteers must be willing to adopt to a new culture.

Cost in US$: 780

- Development of the volunteer placement together with the partner organization;
- Initial support to locate public transportation means to and from the project;
- Program management and administrative fee;
- Donation to the partner organization (50% of the NET placement fee);
- Orientation and information about the city, guides, listings, tips, maps, health issues and safety;
- Airport pickup by an Iko Poran representative;
- Lodging in one of our comfortable volunteer houses (first 4 weeks);
- Assistance in the case of emergencies.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: In most of the programs it is not necessary to have previous experience or specific abilities. The disposition to adapt in different realities and to exchange experiences is indispensable. The volunteers act in programs developed and operated by their own organizations and community councils. They have a unique experience of participating actively in developing communities of a fairer world, while they create a rich personal opportunity for cultural exchange It is the ideal travel experience for those who want to go beyond the ordinary. It is aimed at people who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the complex realities of the Brazilian population, as well as have the satisfaction of sharing, learning and helping in the construction and visualization of a fairer world for all.

Age Range: Must be over 18

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

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Iko Poran Association's Mission Statement: To implement volunteer programs and projects that make a positive impact on the projects in which they take place, promoting a wide experience exchange between cultures and strengthening a constant and growing number of NGOs in Brazil.

Year Founded: 2002