CARE FOR CHILDREN IN CRECHES IN STUNNING BRAZIL!

A very deserving placement working with pre-school children that has a high feel-good factor. Do you fancy teaching little ones who could really use your time, energy and affection? Throughout Brazil, in a beautiful beach town of Florianópolis and within inner city areas of Rio de Janeiro, there are many 3-6 year old girls and boys with magnificent spirit and from very poor families, waiting for volunteers to share their joy with!  One particular crèche that we work with desperately needs voluntary assistance because they are in danger of being shut down by the Government due to a lack of funds to pay for essential building repair work. On this project you'll be working in one of our many crèches in either Florianópolis or Rio de Janeiro, depending on which area you'd like to visit. If you can't decide, why not try both....?

"This placement has incredible job satisfaction..." Chris Bodych

PROJECT OVERVIEW
For several years Travellers volunteers have been assisting at a number of crèches which provide day care to children between the ages of 3 - 6. These crèches are run by the government to enable parents from poor families to seek employment without the burden of childcare. Many of the children at government-run crèches live in nearby shanty towns, so the stable environment provided is incredibly important and worthwhile - it provides a sense of solidarity, education and fun for young children who are often from broken homes where survival is a full time job.

We have a variety of crèche placements in both Rio and Florianópolis, and you'll be allocated to one or more placements. Generally due to the age and number of children per class you may asked to assist the class’s regular teacher, with conversational English and general classroom activities, however for other schools you may be in charge and expected to lead the class. Below is a brief description of two of the projects that we are currently working with – if you would like any more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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!

WORK CONTENT

CIEP:
This is a school that also has a Crèche for the younger children. CIEP is home to just over 500 children who are split down into more manageable groups of around 35 kids. The Centre caters for all ages and extends its care to include children suffering from mental disabilities. Centres caring for children with disabilities are sadly a rarity – making this centre very important.

The centre is great fun to volunteer with – be prepared to get involved with a broad range of activities including music, art, fun & games, and other recreational activities. Educational and developmental lessons are combined in with recreational activities to provide a combination incorporating as much physical and mental stimulation for the children as possible.

APMI Crèche:
APMI crèche takes approximately 230 children with around 45 per class. The children range from 3-6 years old. With the current waitlist standing at over 250 children, the centre is in great need of help and assistance. The crèche is partially supported by government funding and they receive 17 Reais per child per month ... that is just £3.10 per child. This centre is run by three nuns, but each class is supervised by the ‘tias’ or auntie, the affectionate nickname given to the staff. Your role will be primarily to assist the 'tias' with the class. As your placement develops so will your role in the classroom. The centre is open Monday to Friday with the children arriving around at 7:30 am, receiving breakfast at 8:00 am. Classes begin by 9:00 am with an hour off for lunch at midday. The children then also enjoy an hour off for a siesta mid-afternoon, common among children of such a young age. The children are then picked up from the centre leaving at around 5.30 pm.

You will walk to the crèche from your accommodation each day. The crèche has a playground, a video recorder and a cassette player which you can utilize. They do not have access to anything more sophisticated such as internet or a library etc. Football and games of any sorts are appreciated within the lessons and will make you even more popular amongst the kids! You will work approximately 4 hours a day Mondays – Fridays, 9:00 - 11:00am & 2:30 - 4:30pm.

These are two of the Crèches we support - they all need your help! Each crèche is in desperate need of both voluntary and financial assistance - your involvement on this programme will help to fulfil these needs. You really can make a difference in a truly magical part of the world! At Travellers we are particularly passionate about these placements and, in particular, helping one of the crèches which has been forced with closure, to stay open. If the crèche was forced to close, it would be such a pity as it is extremely important to young children whose lives are a lot tougher than many of us could understand. At the moment our volunteer project is helping the crèche stave off closure.

"The placement has incredible job satisfaction, unrivalled by that of teaching teenagers or older students, as a bond develops between us and the children. As many come from broken homes and/or are stricken by poverty, they look to us as father figures. For instance in a week we are taking them to the local zoo, somewhere they may never have been able to go. We are also trying to take them to the Falls, yet this will be very complicated so may not happen, also obvious safety issues are a concern. However, normally safety issues are not that much of a concern at the crèche compared to the dreadful 'sue culture' coming about in England. They hurt themselves playing football or jumping about on the concrete, yet they pick themselves up and learn not to do it again. It is actually quite refreshing to be able to see kids play properly again". Chris Bodych on his placement

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 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."

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

• Portuguese Language Courses: Immerse yourself in the language and you'll be amazed at the effects it brings!

• Yoga Courses

• Photography courses

• Latin Dance Lessons

• Watersports, Treks and Adventure Activities

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. 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 crèches 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 if you would like, so if you're interested in learning Portuguese during your placement, take a look here.

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OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click here to see the Crèche Project Video
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Travellers Brazil Manager Fabio (left) and volunteers share a dinner of pizzas


The spectacular Iguaçu Falls, Brazil

"As a teaching consultant for Travellers Worldwide I am privileged to visit a great number of schools in many countries. Rarely however have I seen a more worthwhile project than Creche APMI. I was immediately impressed by the happy smiling faces of the children who were obviously enjoying their lessons.

It is clear that the children are receiving valuable education and pastoral care whilst at this crèche. I also noted how pleased their parents were. I was further impressed by the staff who showed that they are dedicated to the community they serve. Later I visited the shanty town where many of the children live.

I realised that the crèche has a wider role within the community and that the staff continue their hard work long after school finishes for the day. I have therefore been very saddened to hear that a facility that is so essential to the wellbeing of these children and their families may be forced to close. I urge anybody who can, to do whatever is possible to prevent such a tragedy from occurring."  Paul White, Teaching Consultant, Travellers Worldwide

Mike, Travellers Operations Director: "In the summer I took part in a sponsored run to raise money specifically for the APMI Crèche. I managed to raise £175 and I'm continuing to fundraise". Travellers Director, Jennifer Perkes, agreed to personally match the amounts that Mike raised, so between them, an extra £350 has been donated to the Crèche.   

Jennifer Perkes, Travellers MD: "When people say to me that they they admire Travellers because it has a heart, I always reply that Travellers' heart is made up of two things, its volunteers and its people, and ours have the biggest heart in the world! I'm am greatly honoured to be surrounded by such enthusiastic and dedicated people. They change people's lives on a daily basis, and they help our volunteers to do the same. Mine is the best job in the world."

ACCOMMODATION IN RIO DE JANEIRO:
Accommodation is situated 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 will be only 3 minutes away from the metro station, opposite the Catete Palace and you will be able to visit Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue with great ease.

You will be staying in a dorm room in a brand new hostel which has been set up by an artist with a wish to create a hostel that is 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.

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.

ACCOMMODATION IN FLORIANOPOLIS:
For a complete cultural experience in Florianópolis you will live with one of our selected host families that help Travellers to make your placement as much enjoyable as possible. All of our host families are welcoming and will provide you a very familiar environment. We believe that this is the best way to become integrated into the local culture - you'll be much more that just a “tourist” and the added benefits are that often our host families introduce you to their families and friends and they often invite our volunteers to many local events, such as football matches, cinema, a drink in a local pub in the evening after a day of work, birthday parties, family Sunday’s meals, a ride to the beach, etc.

It’s also a great opportunity to learn Portuguese in an easy and natural way.

The family you'll live with will be allocated according to the location of your project, the number of volunteers at the same time as you, any personal issues (such as if you’re allergic to pets, for example), but all our host families are near to launderettes, supermarkets, shops, banks, pharmacies, internet cafes, etc., and located in safe areas. The centre of the city is usually a 20-minute bus ride away.

You may share a room with another Travellers’ volunteer and you will get contact details of all the other volunteers who are in Florianópolis at the same time as you so you can be in touch with them.

Food:
Meals are not provided for you but you will be allowed to use the kitchen facilities to store your food and cook whatever you want. It’s common that the family members invite you to join them at meals when everyone is at home, especially at weekends. You will also receive orientation about local restaurants, many of which can be very cheap, sometimes cheaper than cooking at home.

The bathrooms are Western style and have hot water.

Art Hostel Exterior in Rio


Host Family Accommodation in Florianópolis

Accommodation bedroom in Florianópolis