Posted 26 Nov 2009

Those planning a gap year in South America could help give something back on their travels by participating in i-to-i’s new Capoeira project in Brazil.

The physical activity, which is a graceful mixture of martial arts and dance, provides a way for youngsters to gain new skills and better their future prospects.

Volunteering abroad in Brazil and helping these children could provide them with the confidence and incentives to turn away from the culture of favela gangs and drugs in the long-term, explains i-to-i.

People who wish to participate in the project for a long period may like to set up their own English classes and teach the children aspects of their own culture, the company adds.

All of this hard work will be rewarded by the natural beauty of Rio, with samba parties, tropical rainforests, beaches and beautiful mountain landscapes on offer in and around the city.

Rio is set to be a travel hotspot over the coming years, as those on holidays and gap years in Brazil will no doubt head there for both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Category: South America