Favela Renovation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Competing against forest-clad mountains to the right and the cool Pacific Ocean to the left, Rio's enthusiastic residents have somehow managed to create a city beautiful enough not to let down the neighbourhood! Why not pay them a visit and help some of the poorest favellas become as bright as the rest of the city? This project mixes hands-on work renovating local buildings with attempts to educate youngsters about sexual health and the dangers of drugs. Rest assured your day will be varied, from painting, cleaning, and gardening to developing community events within the renovated public spaces. What's more, when you finish admiring your handy work you're free to explore the most exciting city on the planet.

*Project details:
The Nucleo de prevencao de DST-AIDS, which will be coordinating this project, started its operations in 2001 with the objective of educating the youth of the Community regarding contracting HIV and AIDS through drug needles and unprotected sexual relations. Considering the lack of information on this issue within the Community, the organisation expanded their work to include women's health, diabetes, tuberculoses and hypertension.

The objective of this particular project is to renovate 20 public spaces in the Morro dos Prazeres in Santa Teresa along with an awareness campaign that will help maintain these spaces. The project will include 5 youths and 10 children from the Community. Each public space should take around 30 days to complete.

NOTE: The project itself is closed for Carnival between the 13th and 22nd February 2010 but accommodation and in-country support still runs as normal. Being in Rio during Carnival is an experience of a lifetime and shouldn't be missed!

*Why the project needs volunteers:
The need for volunteers, especially foreign volunteers, is far more than suggested by the day to day activities - the benefit of which is clear. A key theme that has been stressed is the exchange of ideas, such as: renovation and construction techniques; educational techniques regarding awareness necessity to maintain these public spaces clean and welcoming; new techniques regarding art, graffiti, landscaping and recycling; and recreational activity ideas with the objective of improving children's self-esteem. It is hoped that volunteers and local project workers will both be able to learn new ways of thinking, and of course the ultimate aim is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of the community.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* Working to make an immediate difference to the 'favela'
* Getting to know as many Brazilian's as possible - it will change your whole outlook on life
* Taking in a soccer match at the Maracana - a must even for non-sports fans

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
Ideally, the project is looking for volunteers who have experience with environmental education and gardening, but the most important criteria are creativity, imagination, good sense of humour, and rapport with children. Basic Brazilian Portuguese and/or Intermediate Spanish is recommended.

Your role as a volunteer:
Work will be split between both physical and mental activities: 1) Painting, cleaning, decorating and fixing the public spaces, and also gardening. 2) Developing awareness campaigns regarding the maintenance of the public spaces, structuring community events within the renovated public spaces, and organising recreational activities in the community.

Cost in US$: USD 1645.00 for 2 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years old and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1994