A passionate country besotted with sport. The
enthusiasm of the kids is very infectious in this land of eternal summer,
and you're likely to learn as much as you teach! Coaching sport in Brazil is a simply delightful experience!
Brazil offers a
rewarding opportunity to pass on your sports skills to children who appreciate
it. Absorb this awesome
culture by becoming a part of its community. It is no surprise that most
volunteers here choose to extend their stay! Brazil
also tempts you with
a great social life. You can work in either (or both) of two very different regions,
RIO DE JANEIRO, close to the beach, or FOZ
DO IGUAÇU with its magnificent Falls.
You don't need any qualifications to coach sports in Brazil, just a basic
understanding of the game and a love of sports, as well as an enthusiasm to
share this! You can also
combine a Coaching project with a teaching project - or perhaps you'd like to
learn Portuguese or Capoeira at the same time.
Brazillian's are passionate about sport! The
national obsession with football appears to be instilled in children of all
ages and classes, who can often be seen having a game of barefoot soccer on
the dusty
backstreets of towns and cities across the country.
In Brazil you can coach -
Football
Basketball
Beach Football
Volleyball
Dance
Capoeira ... And more...
The schools and centres that you'll work in are poor but
the children are rich in spirit! You'll spend time sharing your skills and
building confidence and team morale, whilst working towards improving
technique and strategy. What you will offer through coaching is immeasurable
in terms of education in social skills, team work, self development,
confidence and the obvious positive effects it will have on their English
language learning.
With a little time, energy and patience your
placement will be thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable for both you and the
children you’ll be working with. You'll no doubt learn a thing or two as
well, from your students and fellow coaches - this country is passionate
about sport with no shortage of talent! You'll also help give the children
hope and renewed confidence. The sense of importance that children feel from
the fact that you're from another country and have chosen to spend your time
helping them can be overwhelming - your very presence is encouraging and
motivating.
Choose between our sports projects in
Rio de Janeiro, and those in Foz do Iguacu - or why not
try both on a combined placement?
"There is so much to say about the Karate club at the
Ruben Gomez CIEP School where I work. There are
people here who work very hard to keep the kids off the streets away from
crime and drugs. One way, of course, is by encouraging dedication to
sports. In this school there are two avenues ... one is the Karate Club,
run entirely by volunteers, who somehow manage to raise enough funds to
ensure the children are properly kitted out and even able to attend
competitions.
The youngsters take the sport very seriously. I
believe I mentioned the thirteen year old black belt who is capable of
leading a class. (She has 6 siblings, lives in a two roomed house and
looks about 17). Perhaps there are one or two Karate clubs out there with
time to spare who could help in some way.... as you read through the
rest of this I hope everyone will begin to realise just how much
difference this kind of activity makes to these kids.
The other sport of course is football. On Friday Marcelo was even more boisterous than usual because the boys´ team he
works with won an important local match. He proudly showed us the
wonderful row of trophies earned by the team. As with the Karate, they
have only what is donated and every victory is hard earned. These guys
put so much effort into helping these kids without ever seeking any
kind of reward, except maybe, success." Vera Tyler, Rio,
Brazil
Charitable organisations, NGO's and social
projects are working hard in Rio's suburbs to provide recreational
activities to street children or those from disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
Travellers have developed a number of partnerships with such projects and
that's where you come in: to help coach these enthusiastic children
and teenagers! Our programmes are aimed at improving the social skills and
lifestyles of children and teenagers through the means of sport.
In many areas of the city children are exposed to the
dangers of poverty and can be easily led into a life of crime and drugs.
Sports programmes are essential in terms of providing a positive outlet
for energy and a distraction from such a lifestyle. They focus on
encouraging children to see the 'good side' of the world - by taking them
away from the violence and poverty that they live in and encouraging them to
see things in a different way. Along with the co-ordinators
of such projects you'll be acting as a positive role model to children to
help
keep them away from the dangers of the streets.
The government recognizes the important
role that structured sports programmes can have on entire communities, and
in some areas grants have been given for the building or maintenance of
outdoor pitches. This is a really positive move forwards for people in the
poorer areas of Rio who now have facilities that they can utilize and be
proud of.
We have a huge variety of placements dotted
in and around the city of Rio de Janeiro, some right next to the beach and
some a little further inland. You'll no doubt work with several different
institutions, depending on what you choose to coach. Currently we offer the
following programmes: football, basketball, volleyball, beach football,
capoeira, dance or karate... Below are brief descriptions of
some of the projects that we are currently working with – if you would like
any more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.
SÃO MARTINHO
is a huge non-profit organisation which provides support to children and
teenagers who've been previously living on the streets. Once accepted by São
Martinho, children are provided with accommodation in one of the many
residences spread throughout the city. In return for regularly attending
school, they are able to sign up for additional organised activities,
including sports such as volleyball, handball, basketball, martial arts and
indoor football, at many centres throughout Rio. This is your opportunity to assist the qualified coach in
taking lessons and where possible, keep the sometimes hyper active children
under control!
You'll be able to assist in whatever sport
you have experience with. Past volunteers have helped with volleyball and
football lessons. For this placement you'll act as an assistant to the
Sports Coach, so it's also an opportunity to learn a thing or two to improve
your own technique!
BALLET DE SANTA TEREZA: This is a
non-profit institution providing
a range of extra-curricular programs to children, teenagers and families who
live in surrounding areas, many of whom are vulnerable to the less desirable aspects
and sub-cultures of modern-day city life.
The institute tries to give children social stability
through encouraging participation in activities that stimulate social and
cultural awareness and encourage stronger integration among community
members. They aim to
achieve their goals through the medium of artistic expression and social
education.
You can help become involved in dance lessons (ballet,
traditional dances and also modern dance such as hip hop!), drama, art
(usually painting) or English teaching. There are also music lessons where
you can 'jam' with the children. The institution is
desperate to receive volunteers, whether it is to teach English or take
ballet (one of their more popular programs).
Most of the team at the centre are local community volunteers
who are willing to give their help freely. They say that the
satisfaction they get from seeing the smiling faces of the children is worth
more than any amount of money in the world!
Unfortunately sometimes lessons have to be called off because
of the lack of available teachers – so you will certainly help to make a
difference and keep the centre going through taking part in this project.
The centre is open from 9am to 6pm and
you'll usually work for around 4 to 5 hours a day.
There are approximately 140 children aged between 3-18 years, with around 25
per class.
ADE: The aim of this centre is to help children to
build a better and brighter future with whatever resources are available!
It’s a state-funded, non-for-profit governmental project run mainly by
volunteer staff, so money is tight but the staff and children there are
brimming with energy, enthusiasm and smiles all round – making this a very
popular placement amongst Travellers volunteers. Although a wide variety of activities like
English and Art are taught at the Centre, your role here as a coach will be
to get involved in the sporting and recreational side of activities, such as
football and volleyball, which are aimed at building the children’s
confidence, team skills and sporting ability.
As well as having access to the sports hall
of a nearby school, with this placement you’ll also have the opportunity to
work on Flamengo beach! Just ten minutes walk from the centre, you could be
playing and coaching volleyball, football, and rugby-like tag games on the
sand while looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, against the stunning
backdrop of Rio’s mountainous skyline.
With our
projects in Rio, you'll have the opportunity to express your preferences and
we'll match your skills with the centre that needs help at the time of your
placement. You may find that you teach at various different centres during
your stay in Rio to increase the number of people who can benefit from your
help! On average, you'll coach for around 15 hours a week.
COACHING SPORTS IN FOZ DO IGUAçU
This is a serious sports coaching placement
which is also seriously fun! You will have the chance to teach sports to
children from a wide range of backgrounds – some of whom travel across the
border from Argentina and Paraguay every day just to come to school in
Brazil. In fact one of the schools we work with in Foz has students
attending from each of these three countries so this placement is a truly
‘international’ experience!
Foz do Iguaçu is also based right next door
to the overwhelmingly beautiful Iguaçu falls which, quite frankly, makes the
famous Niagara Falls pail in comparison! Iguaçu falls is an enormous miracle
of nature that will leave you speechless. This is a special and worthwhile
placement and most of our volunteers here in the past tend to extend their
stay, once they arrive.
Sporting placements in Foz, much like those in Rio,
aim to improve the social skills of children and teenagers through the means
of sport, whilst at the same time providing a positive outlet for energy. As
with Rio, many of the children from poor backgrounds are hyperactive and
need plenty of physical activity. Although Foz is a relatively affluent
town, there are still many poor areas where children are exposed to the dangers of
poverty. Sports programmes encourage these children to develop positive skills
away from such a lifestyle. This is something which renews a child's hope
and can have an unimaginable effect on their future! Sports placements in Foz are sociable, rewarding and fun!
CAIA: The
aim of this centre is to get the children involved and actively
participating – that’s where your initiative comes in! As well as coaching
sports such as football, basketball and volleyball, you will also have the
chance to help organise extra-curricular and recreational activities like
chess and games – anything you can think of which might compliment the
childrens’ activities in the classroom. Here you’ll really get a chance to
interact and bond with the kids, and they'll benefit from your skills, the
chance to learn English in an informal way, and the confidence that you'll
bring to them.
EBLMB:
This is a brand-new and well equipped sports centre which was funded by the
City Hall as part of a pioneering project to improve the social
opportunities available to the community of Três
Lagoas (Three Lagoons), a very poor area on the outskirts of Foz. The
newly built centre offers sports and other extra curricular activities and
has created a social hub for children and adults in the surrounding
villages. Activities available include; football, swimming, table tennis,
computer rooms with educational games, music rooms and a cinema showing
educational films. The centre encourages learning and provides children with
activities to do, helping them to develop new skills. This opens up
new opportunities in an otherwise disadvantaged area.
Most of the kids come here with their schools
during the week, and their time here helps them to develop enthusiasm, self
esteem, communication and social skills through learning sports. The
Centre gives children from a wide range of backgrounds the opportunity to
learn, play and broaden their horizons in a supportive environment - so your
work here as a volunteer gives you the chance to make a real difference!
As well as school children, the centre is
open to the general public and anyone else wanting to use its facilities on
weekends and holidays. A huge range of sports and activities are taught here
– as well as helping the kids with their English, you can coach football,
basketball, volleyball, swimming, martial arts, music, computing, chess… to
name but a few!
GRESFI: Would you like to coach football to Brazilian kids – or do you think they
might be able to give you a few tips on your game?! This sports-dedicated
centre is extremely keen to receive volunteers wanting to coach sports,
especially football. With numbers at the centre varying from 50 to 80
(between 10 and 20 in each class), the coaching schedule here can be erratic
and you may on the odd occasion have to coach on weekends if there’s a
championship tournament on!
…A note on availability!
Please note that as with most things in Brazil, most of the sports centres that we
work with in Foz and Rio close down for the national holiday leading up to Carnival
time in mid-to-late February. Some will be open during this period but
providing a much trimmed down schedule! There is also a 2 week break during
July, however sports centres are more likely to be able to receive
volunteers during this period.
If you are unsure about how seasonal breaks
may affect your placement, please ask us!
Support and guidance from Travellers
and the schools
You'll receive
lots of care and assistance from our very
friendly and helpful UK staff,
from the first stage of applying all the way through to the end of your
placement. We are also available 24 hours a day for any urgent matter
during your time on our placement.
Travellers
will send you our extremely comprehensive information pack with details on
everything - ranging from where to go on your weekend travels to what to
pack and extensive safety tips. We will also provide you with a selection of coaching
manuals that will be very useful on your project.
In Brazil you
will have the support of our Brazil Manager who will be on call 24/7 from
meeting you at the airport and will be around frequently to ensure you are
settled and happy on your placement. You will also find that the teachers at
the schools and institutes where you work will be very happy to help you
throughout your days.
If you
speak some Portuguese (or even Spanish), you will find it very beneficial on
this project. But don't be put off if languages aren't your thing! You're
sure to pick up some of the basic words whilst you are there, and will find
other ways to converse without language becoming a barrier. Don't forget
that we can also arrange some Portuguese Lessons for you during your
programme in either Rio or Foz, if you would like.
SCHOOL
HOLIDAYS AND ... CARNAVAL!
The main school holidays are from approximately
15th July until the 10th August and
10th December until the end of the last week in February.
If you are unsure about how seasonal
breaks may affect your placement, please ask us!
Carnaval
is celebrated all over Brazil. The most famous is, of
course, held in Rio, but the authentic versions of Carnaval are found
outside that city. Carnaval begins at midnight on the Friday before Ash
Wednesday and lasts for five days,
but the whole country stops for about two weeks.
"Carnaval - The planet's most spectacular annual cultural
pageant, where the
ancient world's spirit of chaotic collective delirium and abandonment of
self to the impulses of the body and a greater collective spirit is
unrivaled."
TRAVEL:
You have the option to arrange your
own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would
like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights
and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will
be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.)
Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the
same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other
volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up
before leaving for your placement.
For Foz, you'll more than likely fly into
Sao Paulo, as this is the nearest international airport. From
there you can either fly to Foz do Iguaçu
or you have the option to take a comfortable bus/coach ride instead. The trip
takes about 12 - 14 hours and is an excellent way to see some of the country.
For Rio, you'll fly
into the international airport.
When you arrive, you'll be welcomed by
our local Organiser and introduced to the people you'll be living and working
with.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you
have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend
their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets
enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air
ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour
to get a changeable ticket.
We meet you at the airport regardless of whether you make
your own travel arrangements or not.
VISAS:. All requirements regarding visas will
be arranged by our office and the process of obtaining a visa will be made very easy for you.
We can also arrange your flight
dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling
around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
To see what support we provide in our countries,
please read Support
and Backup
PRICES:
To see the Prices of this project and all
our other projects in Brazil, please
click here
Prices
include
Accommodation and
breakfast while on your project,
2 T-shirts, if required
for your project
All support and backup
during your programme
Meeting you at the
nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.
.
+44 01903 502595
