Volunteer to provide care for young children in Rio de Janeiro! Explore the beautiful beach scene of Rio and spend three days per week volunteering to make a difference in the most vulnerable communities in Rio.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum one-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Saturday: Arrive at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). Volunteers’ chosen hostel staff will pick them up from the airport and transfer them to the hostel accommodation. After settling in, volunteers are free to spend the afternoon relaxing at the nearby beach!
Day 1, Sunday: Free day for volunteers to relax at the beach or explore.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will meet the local team at a metro station in the morning. Volunteers will receive an introduction to the local team, along with a Portuguese language class and a favela tour, followed by a typical Brazilian lunch at a local restaurant.
Days 3-6, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will begin their work on Tuesday. Volunteers will work six to eight hours per day, three days per week at one of two daycare centers in the favelas. The other four days of the week are free for volunteers to use as they wish. Please note: The favela youth do not speak English, so the onsite staff and local teachers will be translating from Portuguese, as necessary
Days 7-8, Saturday-Sunday: Saturday is departure day for volunteers staying only one week. Volunteers who are extending will have the weekend free to relax or explore.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering for three days during the week, and having weekends free. The local team will confirm your working days prior to your arrival. Departures are on a Saturday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Program Highlights:
- Live and volunteer in the beautiful beach city of Rio de Janeiro
- Gain experience working with children
- Provide childcare for the young parents of the favelas
- Receive certificate upon successful program completion
- Enjoy the beaches and vibe of Rio during free days and weekends
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum one-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Saturday: Arrive at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). Volunteers’ chosen hostel staff will pick them up from the airport and transfer them to the hostel accommodation. After settling in, volunteers are free to spend the afternoon relaxing at the nearby beach!
Day 1, Sunday: Free day for volunteers to relax at the beach or explore.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will meet the local team at a metro station in the morning. Volunteers will receive an introduction to the local team, along with a Portuguese language class and a favela tour, followed by a typical Brazilian lunch at a local restaurant.
Days 3-6, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will begin their work on Tuesday. Volunteers will work six to eight hours per day, three days per week at one of two daycare centers in the favelas. The other four days of the week are free for volunteers to use as they wish. Please note: The favela youth do not speak English, so the onsite staff and local teachers will be translating from Portuguese, as necessary
Days 7-8, Saturday-Sunday: Saturday is departure day for volunteers staying only one week. Volunteers who are extending will have the weekend free to relax or explore.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering for three days during the week, and having weekends free. The local team will confirm your working days prior to your arrival. Departures are on a Saturday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Location of the Project:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Project length:
Min 1 week - Max 8 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG)
Volunteer Work:
Child care
Age:
Minimum age of 18
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 50 international volunteers
Important Note:
Volunteers under the age of 18 may join this project only if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
What's Included
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in dorm-style rooms in a hostel.
Food:
Breakfast is included each day
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup is provided upon arrival
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches and dinners, personal expenses.
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular destination in Brazil and South America in general, iconically represented by its landmarks and world renowned events. Also referred to as “Marvelous City”, Rio‘s vibrant energy, famous Copacabana Beach and iconic statue of Christ, that looks over the city from the top of Mount Corcovado, all make it a firm favorite on top of travel bucket lists. Don’t forget that Rio is also home to the world’s largest festival, “Carnaval” that parades through the streets with giant floats, adorned with colorful samba dancers in extravagant costumes. This southeastern seaside city is the perfect destination for volunteers who want to experience the excitement and energy of Brazil!
Interested in child care and education? Check out our other related projects here.
Interested in child care and education? Check out our other related projects here.
In Rio de Janeiro, and in the favelas in particular, the average age of giving birth is younger than in other parts of the world. This high rate of young pregnancy results in young parents being unable to pursue their careers due to the lack of childcare facilities in the favelas. As a volunteer on this project, you will be providing much needed assistance at a childcare center; therefore, enabling these young parents to study or work while supporting their new family. The children range from from the age of infant to six years old.
Some of your tasks may include:
Please note: The favela youth do not speak English, so the onsite staff and local teachers will be translating when necessary.
Holidays: This project will be closed during Carnival (February 9 -18, 2018) and Christmas (December 22, 2018 - January 6, 2019)
Some of your tasks may include:
- General classroom assistance
- Helping to feed the children
- Helping teachers during naptime
Please note: The favela youth do not speak English, so the onsite staff and local teachers will be translating when necessary.
Holidays: This project will be closed during Carnival (February 9 -18, 2018) and Christmas (December 22, 2018 - January 6, 2019)
Internet:
WiFi is available in the hostel.
Laundry:
Laundry facilities are available in the hostel.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in a hostel close to the beach and metro, so it will be easy to get to and from the project site each day. Rooms are generally shared between four to six people, mixed gender. Single gender rooms may be requested, pending availability.
Food:
Breakfast is provided each day at the hostel. Typical Brazilian street food includes fried foods such as empanadas and coxinhas (fried dumplings with shredded meat, usually chicken, inside). Brazilian desserts tend to consist mainly of chocolate, and the signature Brazilian cocktail, the caipirinha, is similar to the more well-known margarita, which is also popular in Brazil and is available often in tropical flavors such as passion fruit.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- Basic level of English, Spanish or Portuguese
- Police clearance
Rio is a city that offers non-stop fun; with a thriving nightlife scene and street parties being thrown consistently throughout the year, one could never be bored. Volunteers on this project have lots of time for exploring Rio (and more of Brazil). Listed below are a few suggestions for exploring the “Marvelous City”:
Copacabana Beach
Visit Brazil’s most famous tourist beach! This crystal-blue beach is outlined with the easily recognizable wave-style brick boardwalk.
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
The National Park of Tijuca is the remainder of the Atlantic Rainforest, one that used to surround Rio. There are trails, waterfalls and caves waiting to be explored here; perfect for the nature-loving volunteer.
Jardim Botânico
Located in the south of Rio is a residential neighborhood that includes a botanical garden: hence, the name. The garden leads to the Tijuca Rainforest, and contains more than 8,000 plant species.
Copacabana Beach
Visit Brazil’s most famous tourist beach! This crystal-blue beach is outlined with the easily recognizable wave-style brick boardwalk.
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
The National Park of Tijuca is the remainder of the Atlantic Rainforest, one that used to surround Rio. There are trails, waterfalls and caves waiting to be explored here; perfect for the nature-loving volunteer.
Jardim Botânico
Located in the south of Rio is a residential neighborhood that includes a botanical garden: hence, the name. The garden leads to the Tijuca Rainforest, and contains more than 8,000 plant species.
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