PROJECT OVERVIEW
The orphanage that you'll assist in was started in 1977 by an organization of nuns from Spain and they don't receive any funding from the Government.

Some of the children that the Orphanage helps live there permanently. They go out to school during the day and return after school finishes.

The second type of children that the Orphanage gives assistance to are street kids who don't live at the orphanage, but rather they come in for food and showers. Unfortunately, then they have to go back onto the streets as, sadly, the Orphanage doesn’t have enough room. The biggest challenge that the Nuns face is getting the children to go to school regularly and keeping them away from drugs and crime.

While the children are on the premises, the Orphanage tries to help them with any social and/or financial problems and also tries to help them adapt back into society. They also help children whose parents are going through legal parental battles or even the process of adoption.

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
The Orphanage is run by eight nuns who also give classes in English, Dance, Arts and much more. They take care of the children and their well-being as well.

There are a total of 60 children who either live in the Orphanage or who attend classes there. They range between the ages of 1 to 15 years old. You may also work with a small number of children that have special needs, such as Autism.

You can help with a wide range of activities such as, teaching English, assisting the children with their homework, teaching them Dance, Arts & Crafts, Music ... and more. The Orphanage also tries to arrange outdoor activities, such as various social events or tours with the occasional foreign students who visit the Orphanage.

If you have a knowledge and love of Sports, you can also get involved with Volleyball and Futsal (which is football that is played on a smaller surface and indoors). If there is any sport or activity that you would like to introduce during your placement, please let us know as the Nuns are always open to new ideas that will give the children some enjoyment or benefit.

Your timetable of work is flexible and you'll work from 09.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Most of your work will take place in the afternoons between 2.00 and 5.00 p.m. This is the main time when all the children have returned from school or come in off the streets and are all together in a group.

Support and guidance from Travellers
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 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.

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.
 

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

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.

Food is not included in this project. However, you will receive breakfast in the Hostel, so you'll need to budget for lunch and supper.

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.

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

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

Art Hostel Exterior in Rio


Rio's perfect white sand on Barra beach