Volunteer in Brazil!

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro
• Sao Paulo: 
Sao Paulo

Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months

Description: Volunteers for International Partnership has established excellent relationships with non-governmental and independent organizations in Brazil resulting to interesting and rewarding volunteer positions throughout the country. The actual project selection for each volunteer will be based on his/her interests and abilities. Here are some sample projects, divided into different areas:

Environment:
Centro Golfinho Rotador is a non-profit organization based in Fernando de Noronha, which researches and protects the spinner dolphins' habits and habitats. In addition, it provides environmental education to the local population. The volunteer will observe the dolphins' behavior, give instructions to the tourists about their habits and also give administrative support to the organization. Accommodations will be provided at the project site. All projects are supervised by a master and doctor in Oceanography.

Social Services:
The Casa do Menor Trabalhador (House of the underage work) is a project which gives support and help to needy children and teenagers, between 7 and 18 years of age. There are 550 students in the house with 40 teachers. The students spend all day in the project, and there are different activities such as: street dance, baking, English classes, farm services, choral and flute classes. The volunteers can work as teaching assistants in the classes or by organizing games such as soccer, basketball and volleyball matches. The volunteer may also be able to take part in or help with dance, flute and choral classes.

Education:
Projeto Guarapes is run by a private school in Natal, serving a neighborhood of needy people with approximately 20,000 inhabitants. They offer early childhood education and health assistance to youth from 2 to 6 years of age. The volunteer is expected to help teachers and the school staff with the children's hygiene, feeding and recreational activities. Home stay will be the accommodation for this project, supervised by a psychologist.

Highlights: The volunteer who comes to Brazil will enjoy the unique experience of living with a typical Brazilian family and working in a meaningful project. By choosing to join this program, you will be giving yourself a unique chance to face new challenges, meet new people and discover different ways of doing things.

Qualifications: What is expected from you is that you have an open mind, a flexible attitude, a warm heart, good sense of humor and a genuine interest in cultural exchange.

Some projects require the participant to be fit and healthy enough to adapt to living and working where conditions may be strenuous and where accommodations are quite basic.

You may not speak any Portuguese; in this case, your language course and your time living with a host family will ensure that you have obtained the basic communication skills needed for your tasks.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years and older, except US citizens who must be 19

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Volunteers for International Partnership's Mission Statement: Volunteers for International Partnership offers each international volunteer an opportunity to learn a culture from the inside while doing valuable community service, peer to peer, in a stimulating new environment. VIP is committed to: *Careful selection and preparation of the volunteer, host family and Host Organization. *Emphasis on the education and self-awareness gained through international community service and volunteering. *Planning the volunteer's intercultural experience to highlight enrichment from cultural differences. *Full immersion in the host culture through orientation, language training, worksite and housing selection. *Individualization of volunteer placement design to take full advantage of volunteer differences in skill, age, experience and diversity. *Effective evaluation of the experience and the Host Organization. *Strong efforts to enhance the volunteer's social adjustment to regional habits and customs. *Choosing volunteer service projects that are worthwhile, safe, meet the needs of the local community and are conducted responsibly with regard to environmental, social and local issues.