i-to-iCommunity Work in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Project details:
We work with a number of groups in Rio de Janeiro which all offer a wide range of support services, as well as educational and social opportunities for the young people of the urban slums, known as the favelas. There is often great emphasis on the arts and many projects will include working with the community to provide workshops on percussion skills, boxing, circus skills, capoeira and also graffiti. They all aim to provide focus for the people in the community away from life on the streets and gang crimes associated with the slums towards boosting their quality of life.
Projects will be allocated with regards to the skills of the volunteer.
Why the project needs volunteers:
All of these projects have limited funds and resources, and are always trying to reach more members of the local community. To do this, and to continue with the work they are already undertaking, they need assistance from volunteers, especially those from overseas who can also contribute through cultural exchange.
What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
Basic Brazilian Portuguese and/or Intermediate Spanish is strongly recommended, otherwise volunteers may find communication difficult. Enthusiastic, hardworking and committed volunteers are needed. If you wish to teach a class in any given field, experience will be required. You can undertake extra Portuguese lessons when in country alongside the project, these are highly recommended.
Your role as a volunteer:
There is a wide range of activities that volunteers can expect to get involved with while assisting in the cultural projects, from music, dance, sports, photography, and language tuition.
Where the project is based:
The projects are based in a number of community, recreational, and child day care centres.
The project is based in Rio where you will be living and work in the local communities. Rio is a diverse and cultural city with lots to see and do in your spare time. The main attraction is the annual carnival where the streets are lined with people who come to the city to see the elaborate costumes and join in the dancing. As well as this you can go to see major sports games.
The cultural diversity of Rio de Janeiro, with its more than 400 years of history, has been the reason for it to be main choice of visitors who come to Brazil. It is a big city, privileged by its geography which grants its title "Cidade Maravilhosa" ( Gorgeous City). It is located in one of the most beautiful places of the world, where the sea, mountains, forests and lakes blend in amazing traces.
When the lights turn on, the city acquires a new life and rescues the dream with the people who always have a smile in their faces and with an eternal belief that the most unreal of plans can come true.
You will need to arrive at Rio International Airport (GIG) on your specified arrival date.
US$ 1945.00 for 4 weeks, US$ 195.00 for every week thereafter
Not available.
Early airport pickup available: US$ 40.00
If you are arriving before your designated arrival date, we can arrange for an extra meet and greet service for you. For an extra supplement we will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to the orientation accommodation. Accommodation payment for any extra nights will then be made in country directly to the accommodation (approx 35 Brazilian Real) or at the upgrade (US$45 per night)
40 hour online course included. Ask our expert travel advisers about adding a practical weekend course to your qualification.
Flight, insurance and visa costs In-country transport (except airport pickup on arrival date)
Recreational activities, arts and crafts courses, dance and music workshops, teaching English, communication activities, graffiti courses, photography, and much much more!
Amount of hours will vary, but typically will be 10 to 15 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between 9am to 5pm. Please note that there will be major disruptions to the project during carnival in 2008 this will fall between 2nd and 9th February. When a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday please note that the preceding Monday or following Friday will also be a holiday.
Resources are generally adequate, but volunteers will need to be creative or bring certain items from home
Guesthouse, shared rooms
Not included: Self catering
What exactly do i-to-i provide?
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you for the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
Project sourcing and assessment
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Expert help-desk
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Thorough project briefing materials
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and project, and a DVD about how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
TEFL training
If you are volunteering on a Teaching or Community Development project then a 40-hour Online TEFL course is included in your placement fee. This is an internationally recognised and accredited certificate that will help you to make the most of your time overseas. More
Airport pickup
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time… especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Arrival orientation
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation and meals
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Local in-country coordinators
Your in-country coordinator (ICC) will pick you up from the airport and conduct your orientation upon arrival. All ICC's are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
24/7 emergency support
Aside from the local support from your in-country coordinators you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by i-to-i staff in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals Docleaf to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
Ongoing training
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. At the end of 2006 we flew all our in-country coordinators to the UK for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
Supporting our projects
We don't fund our projects directly, but once a year they are all invited to apply for funding for special projects or resources from our registered charity arm, the i-to-i Foundation. i-to-i funds the operation of the i-to-i Foundation and is the largest single donor. Along with the generous support of our volunteers, we have distributed over US$200,000 in funding in the last two years alone! More
Recruiting people like you
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
The intangible benefits
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
What we will do after you've booked:
- Once booked on you will instantly receive a welcome email confirming your booking with access to your online account
- We will send a Welcome Pack in the post containing further information and a t-shirt, the information in this pack should answer most things you need to know
- Community Development and Teaching customers will receive an email introducing them to their Online TEFL course
- Community Development and Teaching customers will be requested to complete a police check (where relevant) or send through a reference
- We will contact you if we require anything else e.g. CV/resume for some projects, doctors note for medical conditions etc.
- We will hound you to complete your forms and pay your final balance when they are due
- We are available for any questions you may have on 800 352 1794 or operations@i-to-i.com
- We will prepare for your trip and send you an email with final project and accommodation confirmation 21 days before you go
What you need to do after booking your place with us:
- Book your flights
- Arrange suitable travel insurance
- Fill out some extra details through our online interface:
- application from
- travel details
- insurance details
- medical information
- emergency contacts
- Complete your police check or request your reference (where relevant)
- Do your Online TEFL Course (where relevant)
- Make final payment at least 60 days before you go
- Make sure you have a visa for your trip if its needed
- Visit a nurse or travel clinic for advice on inoculations and malaria prevention
- Read all details and prepare as much as you can for your trip
- Take contact details of the in country team and where you're going in your hand luggage - just in case!
- Get on the plane!
Orientation Information
You will have an orientation meeting with the in-country team during your first weekend. You will then begin working at your project at the beginning of the following week, usually on Monday.Insurance
It's important that you get adequate travel insurance for your i-to-i experience and as many of you will be working this often means standard policies won’t work. The good news is that no matter where your coming from we have already found a policy to suit you.
The best time to get your insurance is when you book your project as this means you can get a fully tailored policy exclusive to i-to-i, just ask your consultant for further details at the time of booking.
If you have already booked but still need insurance then you may still be able to take our tailored policy. If, however it was more than a few days ago then try the links below:
Australian customers - find out more here >>
All other customers - find out more here >>
Flights
As with insurance we advise you get these booked as early as possible to avoid high prices and to make sure you arrive on the right day. The i-to-i team is right up to date with the best deals no matter where you’re flying from; their insider knowledge could save you some time and money.
Country Guide
Brazil
A little bit of history...
Pre-empting the diverse cultures and races that exist in modern day Brazil, its indigenous groups were an eclectic mix. The earliest known settlers are believed to have inhabited the land at least 15,000 years before the arrival of the Europeans. Owing to Brazil’s uniqueness is its status as the only Latin American country to form part of the Portuguese empire. The Portuguese arrived in the 16th century and developed brazilwood, sugar cane and gold exports while harbouring a lucrative slave trade having replaced Indians with African slaves to work the plantations. The country’s profitable resources also attracted the attentions of the French and Dutch but is was the Portuguese who maintained overall control until 1822 when Brazil declared independence. Following the abolition of slavery in 1888, an influx of European immigrants flocked to Brazil to work on the highly profitable coffee plantations. With support from the coffee barons, Brazil became a republic in 1889 via a military coup.
Military intervention dominated the political landscape for much of the 20th century until 1985 when power was ceded to civilian leaders and by 1989 the first democratic elections were held since the military takeover. A push toward social reform was attempted by President Lula, who came to power in 2002, to combat the nation’s high levels of poverty. While Brazil’s economy has suffered extreme highs and lows, it is South America’s leading economic power though a large disparity between rich and poor remains.
Best time to go...
Opposite to the seasons experienced in the northern hemisphere, Brazil’s summer runs from December to March and its winter months are between June and August. The main seasonal changes occur in the south of the country and summer is the best time to visit to avoid frost, the possibility of snow and prolonged rain. Coastal areas like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are warm year round but can get stifling in summer with temperatures in the high 30°Cs and sometimes reaching the low 40°Cs. The northeast is also warm but benefits from a cool breeze that alleviates the heat during the summer months. Tropical rains are a year round occurrence throughout the country and often amount to short sharp periods and rarely, if ever, impact on travel plans. Unsurprisingly, the Amazon receives the most rainfall with January to June seeing the heaviest downfalls. Although heavy with humidity, this can be the best time to navigate the rivers and catch sight of wildlife that would not be seen during the dry season.
The busiest period to visit is between mid-December until the close of Carnaval which takes place in February or early March. It’s a good time to soak up the celebratory mood of the country but it’s advisable to book accommodation well in advance. The major hotspots are also packed and heaving with foreign and Brazilian tourists during Easter and July, when the schools enjoy their winter vacation break.
Getting around...
The flexibility afforded by flying does not necessarily come cheap in Brazil though there are some bargains to be had if you shop around. Foreigners can purchase air passes from the country’s major airlines like Varig and Tam which offer various flights within a set time frame; they must be purchased outside of Brazil. It’s worth noting that flight routes are not always direct and may involve several stops on the way. It’s advisable to go by flight number when keeping track of a flights departure time at airports, since only the final destination tends to be listed. There are also low-cost carriers available such as Bra and Gol which offer competitive fares and fly to major cities.
Train travel is very limited in Brazil and is not a mode of transport that can get you from A to B, though there are several scenic routes that are worth the experience alone. In the south of the country, for instance, the Curitiba-Paranagua line takes in glorious vistas of mountains and lush forests during its 4 hour route.
Buses on the other hand are in abundance and depart from bus stations (known as rodoviária) in towns and cities on a regular basis. Distances can be extremely long so it may be worth investing in the more luxurious kind which offer air-conditioning and seats that recline flat to resemble a bed (leitos); Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo is a respectable 6 hours, while Rio de Janeiro to the north eastern coastal city of Recife is a leg-numbing 38 hours by bus. There are a number of bus companies such as Itapemirim that offer extensive services across the country. It’s advisable to book bus travel in advance, and tickets can be purchased at bus stations and travel agents. Car rental is also readily available but it takes an experienced driver to negotiate Brazil’s roads. Driving at night is not advised due to poor road conditions in some parts.
For travel on a local level, buses and taxi’s are easily accessible within towns and cities. It’s essential to ride in bona fide taxis that have meters and the driver’s details clearly visible. Reliable taxis are easy to spot in Rio de Janeiro, where yellow taxis are the norm. Taxis in some cities are identifiable by red number plates and are equipped with meters. For added convenience, both Rio de Janiero and São Paulo have subway systems which are easy to use, though not as developed as cities like New York.
Useful links
www.lonelyplanet.comLonely Planet are leaders in the travel guide sector and their website is a great source of travel information.
www.fco.gov.uk
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website provides up-to-date political news, travel advice and information on visas.
www.itapemirim.com.br
Bus company Itapemirim.
www.voebra.com.br
Domestic low-cost airline Bra (site currently unavailable in English)
www.voegol.com.br/INT
Domestic low-cost airline Gol.
Why i-to-i
We do everything we can to be a truly responsible travel organisation and we believe that everything we do should minimise the negative aspects of foreign travel and make a positive contribution to the places that our travellers visit.
Our achievements
In the last year alone we have assisted over 6,000 volunteers to have a life-changing travel experience in 34 countries around the world. We are very proud of all the volunteer projects we work with, which are sustainable and produce a positive long-term impact and are equally proud of our volunteers who devote their time and efforts into contributing to the projects which continue to develop communities abroad. Click here to see some of our volunteer achievements.
Our benefits to communities around the world
All of our projects overseas are based in the local community and are local initiatives. When you travel with us, you will stay in locally run accommodation and travel on locally owned transport. In this way we can ensure that the part of your placement fee assigned for transport and accommodation goes directly into the local economy. That means that before you've even lifted a finger on your project, you've already made an important contribution to the local economy.
Our support for our volunteers
We appreciate how special our volunteers are and offer our full support every step of the way. Our in-country coordinators are on-hand for you while you're in-country, providing airport pick-up and arrival orientation while we also provide 24/7 support for all our volunteer travellers.
Against aid reliance
We do not give direct funding to the projects we work with. Many experts believe that the constant flow of financial aid into the developing world causes an over-reliance on foreign aid, which harms the long-term stability of developing economies. It is your time and effort (rather than cold hard cash) that makes a difference. We truly believe that by working together and forging relationships with the developing world, we can make a real and lasting difference.
Your experience
When you travel with i-to-i, you'll experience a truly unique travel adventure which will change your life forever. We're all different, which is why we'll all experience a unique voyage. In addition to gaining a deep immersion into a new culture, you'll learn valuable skills for life which will open-up your eyes to the world and warm your heart in the knowledge that you're giving something real and lasting back to the places you visit.
Why Volunteer through a travel company?
The reason there are so many volunteer providers is not only because volunteering abroad is growing so popular, but because there is a genuine need for companies who can organise your trip for you. Volunteering on your own can be very difficult. Especially if you haven’t travelled very much or are a little soft spoken and arriving in a foreign country without a plan can be rather stressful. Volunteering with a company like i-to-i offers many benefits.
Pre-arranged
You can try searching for a volunteer opportunity on the internet, but you won’t find much that doesn't involve a volunteer travel provider such as i-to-i. Think about it: the places that need volunteers are likely to be poor and underdeveloped - they probably won't even have access to the internet. I’m sure if they had internet access they’d post a volunteer position, but that hardly seems feasible.
It’s virtually impossible to pre-arrange a volunteer opportunity abroad by yourself. Many people don’t want to take the risk of going overseas on their own, with no guarantees of work. An organisation has been there in person and worked out all the finer details for you. They've checked that it's safe, made sure that it's worthwhile and taken the time to make your arrangements for you.
Support
Most organisations offer you support both before and during your trip. Even though you probably won’t have any problems on your trip, it’s reassuring to know that someone is there if you need them. This is particularly comforting for younger volunteers’ parents.
Something as little as meeting you at the airport can really mean a lot. Those first few hours in a foreign country can be really disorienting, and having someone there that can speak the language, knows where they’re going and can help you with your bags is will take a huge weight off your mind.
Time saving
If you decide to just go to Ghana and see what comes up, you could - and probably will - spend a considerable amount of time wandering around looking for volunteer positions. This is not very effective and you could waste a lot of time and money this way. By travelling with a volunteer organisation you avoid all the confused and aimless wandering, and can get straight to work.
Information
If you volunteer with an organisation, they’ll provide you with information about the country you’ll be going to and the project you’ll be working on, as well as general pre-departure information. Some organisations, like i-to-i, provide an in-country orientation. This is a good way to learn about an area and get answers to any questions you might have.
Guaranteed Placement
If you decide to jump on a plane and look in you could find yourself spending hundreds of pounds without actually doing what you can to do - volunteering. Going with a volunteer organisation guarantees you a volunteer position when you arrive, so you won't go home disappointed.
Can I really make a difference
There are good reasons why you pay a placement fee when you volunteer with i-to-i. As a travel company our responsibility to you is wider than if we were a charity. Our focus is not only on the benefits to the project but also on your safety and satisfaction.
The common question and the understandable doubt on the lips of every volunteer before they choose to embark on a volunteer trip is: "Will my contribution actually be worthwhile?" The answer when you volunteer with us? Yes, it definitely will! Whether you volunteer for one week or six months, you will make a difference to communities abroad. After all, what is the point in making the effort to volunteer overseas if you can't be assured that your contribution will really make a difference and have a profound effect on the communities and environments they are aimed at benefitting?
Experts in providing overseas volunteering projects
As an international volunteer organisation with over 12 years experience in sending volunteers abroad to work on vital overseas community and environmental development projects, we are experienced volunteer travel project providers.
Long-term impact
The trouble is that many 'short-term' volunteers can't see the bigger picture or the difference their contribution is making. When you volunteer with i-to-i, you are part of a much greater picture and can rest assured that your work will be continued by future i-to-i volunteers as we make sure all our volunteer projects are sustainable and worthwhile.
Your help is appreciated and really does help!
When you volunteer with i-to-i your contribution will make an immediate and lasting difference which will be thoroughly appreciated by overseas communities.
Why is there a Placement Fee?
There are good reasons why you pay a placement fee when you volunteer with i-to-i. As a travel company our responsibility to you is wider than if we were a charity. Our focus is not only on the benefits to the project but also on your safety and satisfaction.
If a project is badly run, volunteers’ hard work can be for nothing. Your fee helps us to source worthwhile projects so you can be sure you’re making a difference. Accommodation is included in our placements and often, so is food, and by staying locally your fee remains in the community you’re there to help.
We also provide you with thorough information about how to prepare for your trip as well as information on volunteering in your chosen country. What’s more, if you are volunteering as a teacher or on a community development project, we will include our 40 hour TEFL qualification!
Don’t think we forget about you once you’re out there! You’ll be met at the airport and introduced to the local area by one of our in-country co-ordinators so there’s no chance of getting lost! As well as providing you with all the support you need, the self-funding nature of i-to-i means we can continue to support more and more worthwhile projects in the long-term.
In-country Coordinators
We have in-country coordinators in every single country we operate in. They’re there to make sure you're getting the most out of your travel experience by introducing you to the country, answering your questions and dealing with any problems that might arise while you're away. They’re on hand 24 hours a day so, in the unlikely event of an emergency, you know there will always be someone beside you to help you through.
So how will you benefit from our overseas teams?
-
Face-to-face support
Our in-country coordinators are your first port of call if you have a problem. As well as sorting out the little things, they're available 24/7 to help you through any emergencies that you might encounter while abroad. They'll be right there by your side to provide a friendly face and a reassuring word when you need it the most.
-
Airport pick-up
Our in-country coordinators will pick you up from the airport and make sure you get to your project without any problems.
-
Orientation
Your in-country coordinators will give you a full cultural orientation on arrival. This will cover everything from health and safety to where you can get an emergency bar of chocolate.
-
Local
All of our in-country coordinators are local people with a wealth of information about the land and its customs. They'll be able to advise you on where to go, how to get there and what to do while you're there.
-
Friendly
Arriving in a new country can be a daunting experience but our friendly in-country coordinators will be there to settle you in and calm your fears.
-
English speaking
Language barriers can be a huge problem when travelling abroad, but not when you travel with i-to-i. All our in-country coordinators speak English so you won't have any trouble communicating with them.
International conferences
From time-to-time, we hold international conferences designed to encourage global understanding within the i-to-i team and improvement from our in-country coordinators, to ensure our travellers receive the best possible support and service while on a project with us.
The conferences are attended by our in-country leaders, who pass on the knowledge they have learned to their in-country teams. Our global conferences are the perfect opportunity for training and offer quality training sessions on topics including extensive customer service skills, to help raise the level of service across the global i-to-i network.
Our international conferences are vitally important because they allow our in-country coordinators and global staff to share their experience and help to build on our success in answering and fulfilling the changing needs of our volunteers.
Crisis Response Plan
With the help of Docleaf, our crisis management specialist, we have developed a comprehensive crisis response plan to prepare for and guide us through any emergency. We operate a 24/7 emergency support service so that this plan can be put into action immediately no matter what time of the day! Our crisis response plan covers:
Our crisis response plan covers:
- Emergency support
All travelers are issued with the UK based emergency support number in pre-departure literature.
Duty officers
The duty officer is the first point of contact. They deal with any incoming calls and initiate the appropriate response to the crisis. In more serious cases the duty officer will then call a senior officer (a member of i-to-i management) for advice, assistance and support. Should the situation require it, they will activate the full global response team.
- In-country coordinators
We regularly bring our in-country coordinators to the UK for crisis response training, so you can rest assured that your in-country coordinators are well versed in our emergency protocol and will know exactly how to react in the unlikely event of an emergency.
- Crisis response teams
All UK staff have been pre-assigned specific roles which they must take up in the event of a major crisis. Should their services be required these staff will be called into the i-to-i office to take up their role in the crisis response team. The team will co-ordinate the emergency response, advise in-country coordinators, contact insurance providers and organize assistance.
- Emergency travel teams
Should the situation require it, we will mobilize an emergency travel team to assist in-country.
- Global communication
We’ve create a 'triangle of confidence' between the UK response team, the in-country coordinators and the traveller.
- Crisis training
We carry out regular training sessions to ensure all staff are fully informed about our crisis response procedures.
- Docleaf training
Every year i-to-i Staff are fully briefed and simulation trained by DocLeaf.
- Monitoring systems
All i-to-i staff are fully informed of any changes to our crisis response procedures through the company intranet.
Note: i-to-i closely follows global travel advice when it comes to deciding the safety of our travelers abroad. We monitor government communications from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the US State Department and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, to ensure that we can make informed decisions about the risks posed to our customers.
Watch our video
For more information, watch our 'i-to-i support network' video.
