A Life-changing, Rewarding and Affordable Brazilian Experience!
Volunteer in Brazil and make a difference in the world by helping those in need, and engaging in mesmerizing culture. Our volunteer program is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second largest and definitely the most beautiful and vibrant city. Rio offers everything for the visitors – beaches, parks, bustling city life, Brazilian samba culture, good food, nightlife and also poverty. Rio is also a modern city and is preparing to host Soccer World Cup 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016. To prepare of this, the city has tackled crime, build modern infrastructures and communications facilities and is looking forward to welcoming millions of visitors.
We need more volunteers now! Rustic Volunteer's volunteering in Brazil programs offers unique opportunities to explore the great city of Rio and beyond while working with children and poor communities. We partner with local orphanages, schools, nonprofit organizations and childcare centers to provide volunteers with a rewarding and meaningful experience. Write us an email now now and begin an exotic and unforgettable experience in Brazil! We will send you more information to soon participate in a program you will not regret.
The volunteer programs will be closed during the following periods:
All volunteer programs start on the first and third Monday of each month.
If you are tired of expensive volunteer programs but want to make a positive contribution in the world, look no further! Rustic is dedicated to offering high quality, well-organized and meaningful programs at the most affordable price in the United States. We work hard to keep costs as low as possible, focusing on the effectiveness of our projects, the safety of our volunteers and the quality of participant experiences. We currently offer the most competitive price possible in today's market including an application fee (of $299) AND a small weekly fee as follows:
| Duration | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $370 |
| 2 Weeks | $595 |
| 3 Weeks | $845 |
| 4 Weeks | $1,095 |
| 5 Weeks | $1,320 |
| 6 Weeks | $1,545 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,770 |
| 8 Weeks | $1,995 |
Mandatory Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day
In Brazil, the average of conception is very young, and many new parents are unprepared to care for their infants and toddlers. Unfortunately, these young parents do not have the means to pay for proper daycare or childcare facilities, and this situation ensures that poor children will be behind their more-fortunate peers. Our volunteers work with local childcare centers so that their parents have the chance to pursue educational and career opportunities. Working at the Childcare Project is a great way to give back to the poor Brazilian communities and give struggling young parents the chance to take care of their families. You will find the children to be very loving and happy to be in a safe place while their parents work for their futures.
Childcare in Brazil volunteers will work in the area of Complexo do Alemão, a group of favelas (shanty towns) in northern Rio de Janeiro. The people living there are poor and would benefit greatly from having their children taken care of loving volunteers. There are very few affordable daycare centers there, and local staff has been overwhelmed by needs vs. resources.
You can provide support to local daycares (creches) in a fun and creative way. You will play with the children, giving them love and attention, help with meals and naps, tutor the children and provide assistance to local staff. This is a great project for volunteers who enjoy working with young children and managing fun activities.
We take in non-native English speakers, but you must have fluent English skills. As a volunteer, you must also show patience, be resourceful and always respect the local culture and customs. These are traits of a very good volunteer.
As Brazil’s economy grows and the country becomes a global player, Brazilians are increasingly learning and using English to communicate with the outside world. The people who speak English in Brazil are more likely to advance both in the academic field and in the professional arena. But sadly in Brazil, English speaking courses or schools are expensive and unaffordable for the poor. Moreover, the schools where the children from poor families attend are often resource poor and are often unable to hire experienced and qualified English teachers. This situation ensures the poor will always remain behind. Our volunteers are now working with local people to help them learn English and also inspire them to work for a better future. Teaching English in Brazil is also a very popular way to experience local culture, make local friends and help give them skills you have. You will find the students very enthusiastic and extremely eager to learn.
School will remain closed in Brazil from Jan – March because of holiday. The project is not available then.
Teaching English in Brazil volunteers will work in the area of Rocinha. Although known locally as a favela (scanty town), Rocinha has recently developed into a very good area that has all the facilities that a modern place should have. Despite this, the people living there are still poor and would benefit greatly learning English from a volunteer.
You can teach English in a fun and creative way. You will teach them to read, write and speak conservation English. The classes can take place in a classroom setting or on one-on-one basis. Your students can also include children or adults. You can also work on curriculum development and help the local English teacher.
We take in non-native English speakers, but you must have fluent English and good writing skills. As a volunteer, you must also show patient, be resourceful and always respect the local culture and customs. These are traits of a very good volunteer.
As the Brazilian tourist market continues to grow, the number of jobs increases along with the need for computer literacy. Unfortunately, Brazilians from low-income areas, the favelas, often do not have the opportunity to become computer literate. These students are like any other children in the world, as they are fascinated by technology and computers. Volunteer in the Teaching Computer project and help young students increase their future prospects. Most Brazilian students do not know the basics of computer use. Rustic Volunteer’s volunteer program gives you the opportunity to share your computer knowledge with students and teachers alike!
Teaching Computer in Brazil volunteers will work in the area of Complexo do Alemão, a group of favelas (shanty towns) in northern Rio de Janeiro. The people living there are poor and would benefit greatly from learning basic computer skills. You can provide support to the local community by teaching basic computer skills, such as Internet searches and basic programs like Excel and Word. You’ll be working in schools, community centers, churches, etc. depending on your skill sets and current available projects. Volunteers with advanced computer skills may help develop databases, help with computer maintenance and/or work as a teacher or teacher’s aide.
We take in non-Portuguese speakers, but you must have fluent English skills. As a volunteer, you must also exhibit patience, resourcefulness and respect for the local culture and customs. These are traits of a very good volunteer.
Sports and athletics are an integral part of Brazilian culture – you won’t find more passionate soccer fans in any other place in the world. Sports give kids hope, routine and discipline, things that are severely lacking in the poor Brazilian favelas (shanty towns). Our volunteers work with local youth to develop their athletic skills, as well as encourage them to lead healthy (and happy) lives. Working in the Youth Athletics Project is a great way to give back to the community and empower young, impressionable kids who need it the most. In this program, volunteers will help coach and organize activities in the sports of soccer (futbol), skateboarding, volleyball, circus training, martial arts and more.
Youth Athletics Project in Brazil volunteers will work in the area of Complexo do Alemão, a group of favelas (shanty towns) in northern Rio de Janeiro. The people that live there are very poor, and the local children would benefit greatly from organized athletic programs. There are little to no organized sports activities there, and local volunteers have been overwhelmed by needs vs. resources.
You can provide support to local children in a fun and healthy way. You will work with local schools and community organizations by participating in a wide variety of athletic activities, from coaching and training to refereeing a game. This is a wonderful project for volunteers who are athletes or who enjoy playing sports and working with children.
Basic Portuguese is recommended, but not required. As a volunteer, you must also show patience, be resourceful and have a positive attitude.
Life in the Brazilian favelas (shanty towns) is rough, and women who have children are often stuck in a dead-end cycle that involves depending on others for food and basic needs. Unfortunately, these women have little to no options, as they did not receive a proper education and most lack any type of income-earning skills. Our volunteers work with them to teach them handicrafts that give them the opportunity to finally become financially independent and improve their self-esteems. If you know how to sew or do other crafts, the Handicraft Project is a great way to give back to local women by teaching them how to earn an honest income and raise the living standard for themselves and their children. You will find the women to be very appreciative and eager to learn.
Handicraft in Brazil volunteers will work in the area of Complexo do Alemão, a group of favelas (shanty towns) in northern Rio de Janeiro. The women there are very poor and would benefit greatly from learning a handicraft that will enable them to earn an income. These classes also provide a social network and positive creative outlet for women who have little to be happy for.
You can provide support to local women and the community in a fun and creative way. You will teach a handicraft to small classes. Handicraft activities may include sewing, sandal design, painting, candles, pottery, perfumes and more. This is a great project for volunteers who speak Portuguese, are experienced crafters and enjoy working with women. Volunteers need to bring supplies and create lesson plans for the classes.
You must have basic Portuguese skills and a background in the handicraft you wish to teach. As a volunteer, you must also show patience, be resourceful and always respect the local culture and customs. These are traits of a very good volunteer.
Rustic Volunteer arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field supervision for the duration the project in Brazil. In Brazil, volunteers are placed in one of two hostels – CabanaCopa, located in walking distance of the world-famous Copacabana Beach, or Rio Hostel, situated in the heart of the Santa Teresa historic district. You will share your room with other volunteers or travelers. Breakfast will be provided every day in the hostel, and you will eat rest of your meals outside. There are plenty of good places to eat in and around your accommodation. A very popular food in Brazil is the feijoada, which is a Brazilian dish of rice and beans. The portions served are very big and it will cost you US $5 - $10. There are also many Kilograma restaurants throughout Rio, where you can sample various types of food and pay according to the weight of the food. There are also plenty of internet cafés, banks, parks, beaches, and supermarkets near our accommodations.
Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. There are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff (Knowing some Portuguese will help you interact) Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. It's important for volunteers to be flexible with their projects, but also know the country coordinator will be there to guide them along.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.
get more informationThe residents of Rio like to call their city 'the marvelous city', and looking at the blue sea, forest covered mountains, stunning beaches, rocky cliffs and the city that stretches for 20 km along the alluvial strip, there is no doubt Rio is worthy of the name. Rio is also a place of great culture. The annual Rio Carnival draws thousands of visitors from around the world. During the festival, people celebrate with dancing and singing in the street and there will huge parade from samba schools. Nightlife in central Rio is also legendary because of its samba beat and the fervor with which the local people participate in it. Visitors to Rio will also find many things to see including museums, galleries, large variety of restaurants and very friendly people. Rio is also famous for the favelas (shanty towns) that sometimes blight the city's landscape. They are also a sour reminder of the large gap that exists between the rich and the poor.
Rio is hosting the soccer World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. Both are huge sporting events. The city is preparing for the games by building better roads, improving the communications facilities, getting rid of crimes and criminal activities and building more and better hotels. This is perhaps the best time to volunteer in Brazil.
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
General Health Tips to volunteer in Brazil
