Kaya Volunteering for Educational Projects in Brazil

  Brazil

• Salvador: 
Salvador

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The first Saturday of every month

Description: Kaya provides many English teaching placements but we also provide alternative education programs such as working with blind, deaf and children with Down syndrome. Education for these minority groups is poor and they are in great need of outside help. Be ready for minimal teaching aids and know now that you will be the main teaching resource. It is a great opportunity for the children to learn from a native speaker and hear the correct pronunciation, and all you need is a good level of English to participate in many of the placements.

Education and Youth Development in Brazil:
Help vulnerable youth to get a higher quality education than their circumstances normally provide. This Kaya project places volunteers in orphanages and rural primary schools to implement fun social activities for the children, to help teach English, science, mathematics, arts and sports.

Work is also carried out in the kindergarten pre-school age group to try and reduce many of the disadvantages that low-income children face before they attend mainstream school. Also, due to the fact that kindergarten schools are now working under a new early child education system, the need for new kindergartens and improved facilities may enable you to get involved in these development projects.

Highlights: Salvador is one of that select band of cities which has an electricity you feel from the moment you arrive with the magnificence of its natural setting on the mouth of the enormous bay of Todos os Santos.

Salavador Wreck Diving:
Salavador is a haven for wreck divers. In the mouth of the bay there are over 90 wrecks from the Dutch invasion and is an archaeological site. Salavador also has the largest ship wreck in Brazilian waters, the 'Cayo Artemidi'. It is 160 meters in length and has gaping holes for easy access and searching of the wreck. With clear, warm waters and amazing marine life nestled in over 100 ship wrecks this truly is a divers paradise.

Salvador Carnival:
Spanning several kilometers through the streets is the Bahia Carnival. So, it is not a surprise that Salvador has one of the best carnivals in Brazil. According to Guinness, with 2,000,000 people (including 800,000 tourists), Salvador has the largest street carnival in the world. Salvador is home to capoeira, the Brazilian martial art; to acaraje, the bean and shrimp fritters that make for delicious street food; and to a particularly devilish strain of caipirinha cocktails.

Amazon Rain Forest:
The world's largest tropical rain forest, Amazonia covers more than half of Brazil. The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rain forests, and it comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rain forest in the world. Float down lush river corridors teeming with rain forest birds and wildlife. Experience the warm tropical water via raft, kayak or dugout canoe. Enjoy the South American birds, wildlife, flora and fauna unique to the Amazon. Hike through the jungle with a shaman or naturalist and discover medicinal plants, spiritual traditions and the history and politics of the Amazon rain forest. If you've ever wanted to visit the Amazon basin, now is the time before it changes forever and its culture and wildlife disappear.

When you're not working one of the best things to do is to relax, eat, socialize, exercise, surf and swim on the beautiful beaches of Bahia. The main beach you will get to know is Porto da Barra, which is set within the bay and the water is much calmer than on the Oceanside beaches; it's good for swimming.

Qualifications: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 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 or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008