Need to get some colour in your life?
If the bright colours don’t overwhelm you when you land in Brazil then the even brighter smiles of the children certainly will. This is definitely not a country for anyone who likes the quiet life, with action at every turn! There’s certainly plenty on offer on this project which uses a heady mix of dance, theatre and music to support the city’s vulnerable children. Working with youngsters from a number of favelas (urban slums) your efforts will play a valuable part in helping the children on a project desperately short of resources, while allowing you to soak up the rich vibes of a pulsating city.
Fast Facts
Project Information
- Project Duration: Min 4 weeks - Max 12 weeks
- Project Costs: US$ 2195.00 for 4 weeks, US$ 220.00 for every week thereafter
- Location of project:Various locations within Rio de Janeiro
- Arrival Airport:Rio de Janeiro (airport code GIG)
- Activities:Providing general care and assistance in looking after the children. This will involve playing games, teaching English & basic life skills
- Working Hours:Flexible; usually Monday to Friday around 3 hours per day, all other time is free
- Getting to the project:Dependent on location; around 10-15 minutes walk
- Requirements:Minimum age 18
- Other:Carnival week will be from February 21st to 28th 2009 and February 13th to 20th 2010, you may have some disruptions to the placement during this time. In 2009 projects will be closed from Thursday 19th February to Monday 2nd March.
What's Included
- Accommodation:Shared room in guesthouse
- Food:Food is not included; you will need to purchase your own food (budget approximately US$50 per week
- Airport Pickup:Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
- Training:In-country orientation
- Support:Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support
What's not included
- Flights, Insurance, Visas, Return Airport transfer, Local Transport, Food
These projects are both aimed at providing early childhood education and support to young at-risk children from a number of Rio's favelas (urban slums). These children come from extremely disadvantaged communities and so the assistance they receive through education, physical and mental health, meals, clothing and recreational activities is invaluable. The projects give the individuals the chance to consider positive ways in which they can influence their local community and other young people rather that to get involved in the gang culture and violence that Rio has become known for.
There are a number of placements we work with that all focus on different aspects whether it is working with arts and crafts, dance, sports or music your talents can be put to use.
NOTE: The project itself is closed for Carnival between the 13th and 22nd February 2010 but accommodation and in-country support still runs as normal. Being in Rio during Carnival is an experience of a lifetime and shouldn't be missed!
Volunteers are needed to continue this great work and enable the centres to provide the children even more activities. As there are many families who have access to the facilities there is often not enough staff to give lots of care and attention to the children, which is vital especially in the first years.
Basic Brazilian Portuguese and/or Intermediate Spanish is strongly recommended, otherwise volunteers may find communication difficult. If you do not know any, please make the effort to learn before starting your project, you can also join lessons at the accommodation in country.
A love of children is needed for this project, as is a strong heart due to the nature of the work and the situation these children are in. The children can be naturally disruptive and at times difficult to handle. This project therefore requires a lot of patience and understanding.
A wide range of activities: including recreational activities, music, dance, arts and crafts, sports, theatre workshops. You will also help prepare food for the children, and generally assisting with educational development. You may also need to help with general cleaning and facility maintenance, and not be afraid to change a nappy/diaper.
Your project is based in Rio where you will be living and work in the local communities. You will be living and working in the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Rio de Janeiro. Rio is a culturally diverse city with lots to see and do in your spare time. It is in a geographically stunning location and deserves the title of cidade maravilhosa (marvellous city). It is surrounded by lush peaks and amazing beaches. It is a city of contrasts where the rich live alongside the poor. The Cariocas - inhabitants of Rio - are free-spirited, welcoming and with a love of Samba and celebration are always ready to party.
Brazil encompasses all aspect of the Latin spirit. It is a seductive place and is also a country of staggering beauty - its scenery is guaranteed to take your breath away. There is also an intoxicating rhythm of life - that is famous the world over. From the bronzed bodies of its beaches to the unexplored wonders of its rainforests, Brazil is a destination that has to be seen to be believed and experienced to understand.
You will be staying in a volunteer house, which has stunning views over the city and a great base to explore this marvellous city.
Please note that the projects may be closed during Christmas/New Year and Carnival time so your time can be spent enjoying yourself in this vibrant city!
Please book your flight to arrive into Rio de Janeiro (airport code GIG) on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup.
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 fora 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 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 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 team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams 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 team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals 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. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly 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 from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
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
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)
We will contact you if we require anything else e.g. CV/resume for some projects, doctors note for medical conditions etc.
We will prepare for your trip and send you an email with confirmation of your project and accommodation 2 weeks after you've booked
We will ask you to complete your forms and pay your final balance if they are still due when required
We are available for any questions you may have on 800 985 4852 or support@i-to-i.com
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 if requested
Do your Online TEFL Course (where relevant)
Make final payment at least 90 days before you go
Make sure you have a visa for your trip if it's 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!
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.
EU Customers – find out more here >>
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.
Early Airport Pick-up
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 your orientation accommodation. One additional night accommodation is included in this payment; if you require more than one night please inform the team.
The cost of this Early Pick-up service is US$ 67.00
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.com
Lonely 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.
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