Do you fancy working with little ones who could really use your time, energy and affection? In the northern area of Rio de Janeiro, there are many 1-5 year-old children who have wonderful spirit and are from very poor families and who could really use your help and care.

This is a very deserving placement working with young children that has a high feel-good factor!

PROJECT OVERVIEW
We work with a public state crèche located in the north of Rio which was established in 1983.  They work by providing the children an opportunity to learn in an artistic and practical ways.  Their philosophy enables every child to develop without leaving childhood aside, that is, learn by playing.  The crèche feels that it is very important to provide the children with all the attention needed, as well as food and educational games.

Their main objective is to look after children from the local area whose parents need to work but don’t have anywhere or anyone else to look after the children. 

When they first established they use to provide food, milk and teach the local mothers how to cook for the children and local community.  Then a few years later they started looking after the children themselves.

This is a fantastic opportunity to give your assistance to children that really need and deserve it, and to bring your skills with you while developing new ones.

"One special experience I had was with a little girl who kept herself to herself, did not speak or play with the other children. She had a bad rash and sores all over her body. She was scratching all the time. I bought her some lotions and creams to help her and she got better and better. I spent more time with her and she started talking. I got her and the other children to interact and play games together. Soon she was just one of the group and fitted in with the rest. I will never forget her and she made the experience so special for me. I really would recommend anyone to take time to be a volunteer with Travellers." Ken Russell

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Latin America.
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV/resume that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• The enormous satisfaction of learning or improving your language skills.
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

"You could just see in their eyes how much our project and our contribution was affecting their lives in a positive way" Canyon Cugini

WORK CONTENT
As the children range from 1 to 5 years olds, the activities that are developed are based on helping the teachers to take care of the children, as well as developing educational games, and recreational activities. 

If you have any special skills, such as playing a musical instrument, sports, arts, etc., please let us know as the Crèche would love you to teach the children these wonderful skills.

The older children are at the stage of learning speech, so it is very important in being able to help them with this as well.

Altogether there about 180 children, and about 25 members of staff. The work is very flexible, and the crèche is open from 07.30 to 5.50 so you can work all day, mornings or afternoons depending on when you are needed. 

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AND ... CARNAVAL!
The main school holidays are from approximately

• 15^th July until the 10^th August and

• 10^th 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 can also be 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.

Support and guidance from Travellers and the crèches
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.

In Brazil you will have the support of our Brazil Manager and our local Organisers who will meet you at the airport. They are on call 24/7 in case of emergencies and will also be around frequently to ensure you are settled and happy on your placement. The teachers at the schools and institutes where you work are also very willing to help you during your placement with them.

If you speak some Portuguese (or even Spanish), you'll find it very beneficial, 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're there. a barrier. Don't forget that we can also arrange some Portuguese lessons for you during your programme if you would like.

Additional Activities you can do while on this Project:
Add to your travel experience in Brazil by doing some additional exciting activities - you never know, you could develop a passion for Latin American dance, or learn a new skill!

• Capoeira: A cross between a dance, a fight skill and an art form ... fascinating and fun!

• Brazilian Music courses: Choose from a variety of local percussion/styles

• Photography courses

• Latin Dance Lessons

• And more...

You'll live in the Flamengo region of Rio - just a hop, skip and a jump away from famous Copacabana beach! This is a great place to be as you're only 3 minutes away from the metro station, opposite the Catete Palace and you'll be able to visit Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue with great ease.

You'll stay in a dorm room in a new hostel which was set up by an artist who wanted to create a hostel that was different to anything else in Rio. Set in a beautiful redeveloped building from the end of the 19th century, you will be surrounded by wonderful Brazilian art, dipping you straight into the culture from the first minute you arrive! With over 110 beds, some decorated with an “art” theme you will be sure to meet like-minded travellers, other volunteers and artists from all over the world! The hostel currently has internet and WiFi, a common area, TV room, library, book exchange, safes, a terrace area for socializing, and a housekeeping service. It also has a bike rental service. They often have popular music from Brazil with live music on occasion and a fantastically vibrant, friendly atmosphere.

If you'd like to upgrade to a double or single room, just let us know at time of booking and we can arrange it for you. There will be a small supplement for the upgrade. All rooms have their own bathroom and individual cupboard with a key for security.

Food: Eating out is one of the highlights of living in South America, and an essential part of Brazilian culture! Because of this, the price of your placement includes your breakfast but not lunch or dinner, thus giving you the freedom to sample some of the fabulous food which Rio is famous for. Breakfast currently includes fruits and juices (try the acai – a delicious berry to sprinkle on your granola cereal), coffee, milk, bread, cheese, ham, butter, jams and sweet cakes (popular in Brazil for breakfast) amongst other things. You'll be allowed to use the kitchen facilities whenever it is not being used by the hotel staff.

The Brazilians have a passion for food. They spend long, balmy evenings dining in restaurants and al fresco in the city’s buzzing streets on fare from the traditional Feijoada (black beans and pork stew) or Mariscada (seafood stew) to modern global cuisine rivalling that of any other international city! You might also like to indulge in a caipiranha, Brazil’s traditional carnival drink made with lime and cachaça, best enjoyed in the sunshine with a churrasco, which is a Brazilian barbeque of rice, meats and – of course – salsa! The cost of eating out in Rio can vary from a just a couple of pounds up to a couple of hundred pounds! This is one city where you certainly won’t have any trouble eating well on a tight budget - there are some very inexpensive options available and you'll dine out handsomely on about £4 ($6) (estimate correct at time of writing); although you could be lucky and get away with spending even less and still be eating well. The trick is to keep your eyes peeled for the bargain eateries offering specials such as buffet lunches. Also don’t forget the supermarkets are a good option and are comparable in standard to those found back home.

Area: The hostel is located only a 15 minute-walking distance away from the Arches of ‘Lapa’, ‘Cinelandia’ and ‘Flamengo’, from where you can visit Sugar Loaf Mountains (Pao de Acucar) and the Statue of Christ, the Redeemer; only 3 minutes away from ‘Catete’ Underground station, where you can catch the train and get to ‘Copacabana’ or ‘Ipanema’ beach in less than 15 minutes. There are several banks, ATMs, supermarkets, drugstores, cinema, hotels, shops, etc., all within a couple of minutes away, which makes the area interesting and busy even in the night time! The options for entertainment are endless too; one night you can choose to watch a film at the cinema; the other you can just chill out with friends in a local bar or pub.

TRAVEL:
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.

To read more about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country, please click here.

As there is so much to do in Brazil, we recommend that you do some travelling around the country once your placement has finished. If this is the case, we can arrange your flights accordingly.

Support & Backup: To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, please click here.
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Art Hostel Exterior in Rio

Rio's perfect white sand on Barra beach

The spectacular Iguaçu Falls, Brazil