Care Work in Brazil with Projects Abroad

  Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro: 
Rio de Janeiro

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: year-round

Description: Brazil is a beautiful and exciting destination in South America to volunteer with disadvantaged children in orphanages or care homes. Brazil may be the 9th largest economy in the world, but it is also a country with one of the largest disparities between rich and poor. It is also a devoutly Catholic country, and it is commonplace to have large families living in very basic, cramped conditions. There are also many children without a family home and thousands of children live rough on the city's streets.

At Projects Abroad we are attempting to get right to the heart of this problem, which is why we are located in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. Though we don't pretend we can solve the social problems of this incredible country, we can work to make a difference in the lives of a large number of these children. But we cannot do this without the help of our volunteers.

Volunteering on a Care Project with Street Children and Orphans with Projects Abroad

In whichever volunteer care project you find yourself, you need to be ready for a challenge. Many of the children have had very difficult lives and may be desperate for attention. There are likely to be some who have health problems or who require special attention due to disabilities. Your job is to help to improve their lives in whatever way possible. This will be quite varied; it may involve playing games with them or helping with their homework. You may even want to take a group out on a trip. Projects Abroad will support you in any way that we can.

As a volunteer on a Care project in Brazil you will have an important role to play, whether you are a trained professional offering us the benefit of your experience or on a gap year or career break looking for some experience of development work. Everybody is welcomed, provided they are willing to work hard and be committed to the role, their work-colleagues and the children they are there to help.

Highlights: Brazil has so many great attractions that it is difficult to know where to start. In the city of Rio de Janeiro alone there are a thousand different ways to entertain yourself and you will probably choose to spend your weekends here. In addition to the sights mentioned above, Rio is also home to one of the largest sports stadiums in the world, the Maracana. Whether you are a soccer fan or not, catching the atmosphere at a live game will be an unforgettable experience! The city also contains the world's largest urban forest; at 32 square kilometers the Tijuca Forest is a designated National Park, containing all manner of rare species.

Further away you can experience the beautiful beaches of Fernando de Noronha, the lively atmosphere of Salvadore and the raw power of the Iguazu Falls. No trip to Brazil would be complete without a trip to the Amazon, and you can use Brazil as a gateway to just about every other South American country.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Brazil.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From US$2,895 Up

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 16-80

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 Or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

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

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992