Ballet de Santa Teresa

  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: 2-4 weeks
Dates: On going

Description: The Santa Teresa Ballet is a program directed at children and youth who live in areas of social risk and has as its mission to promote academically complimentary and grounding socio-cultural integration through artistic expression. Directed by Vânia Farias, professionally trained classical ballerina, the BST also aims to create a center for entertainment and culture in an area lacking such enrichment. Factors such as the existing predjudice between social classes of the neighborhood have previously prevented the creation of a cultural center. Onehunded and fifty youth ranging in age from 3 ½ to 18 years old attend the ballet school, which is divided into six classes. Ninety four percent of the students are youth from neighborhoods of social risk in the community, while 6% of the students come from traditional neighborhoods of Santa Teresa (children of intellectuals, artists, foreigners and residents interested in promoting social responsibility). This breakdown of class composition is intended to promote the integration of favela communities with communities bordering favelas and has produced excellent results in recent years.

The Santa Teresa Ballet is completely free of cost, including class uniforms, performance constumes and transportation to and from activities and events away from the studio. The BST does not require entrance tests and the only requirement for matriculation is pre-confirmation of class attendance and an official medical exam from the Santa Teresa Health Office. With regular class attendance, the BST is able to provide a uniform cultural education and solid mechanisms with which each can improve his/her lives, opportunities and citizenship.

Volunteers can teach or assist in teaching any of the following skill sets at beginner and/or advanced levels:

- Classical Ballet   
- Spanish Dance   
- International Dance, Choreography
- Music   
- Intellectual and creative recreation
- Art and Dance History
- Preventative health education
- English and/or foreign language classes
- English and/or foreign language classes

In addition, the Santa Teresa Ballet is open to suggestions from potential volunteers that are interested in formatting a unique project that caters to the volunteer's unique skills and fulfills the organization objectives. Such projects will need to demonstrate formative progression for the students or to the infrastructure of the organization, like a mural, or a costume wardrobe, or other.

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 parts

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: - Volunteers must come in a spirit of generosity and sincerity; - Volunteers must themselves up to the experience; - They must be keen to adjust to a new culture and open minded; - And last but not least, they should be independent, adaptable and motivated.

Age Range: Must be over 18 years old

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:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni 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