TEACH UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN BRAZIL

LOCATION: Rio de Janeiro or Florianópolis. Two different locations, each with their own special attractions. Teach Conversational English in this hot tropical paradise to deserving children and adults who need your help! A stimulating yet laid-back experience in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world.

You may want to work at one institute or you may be keen to spread your help between a selection of institutes. Our projects are very well structured but, as with all things Brazilian, also pretty laid back! You don't need any qualifications to participate in a teaching placement in Brazil.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

You can teach a huge variety of subjects in Brazil, in just about every type of institution, with children, teenagers and adults. Teaching here is exciting and rewarding. You will have students from a variety of backgrounds, and you are likely to learn about their culture as they will hopefully learn from you. Many of the children that you will teach, particularly in Rio, are from some of the poorest areas, but they are full of life and their cheeky manner is infectious and endearing!

We have a selection of institutions that you can teach at, each one individual with its own atmosphere and attraction. Some cater for children ranging in age, from the very young, where you will probably spend more time playing than teaching, to older children who will be excited to meet a foreigner like you and probably won't stop talking in a mixture of Portuguese and what little English they know!

This placement is an all-round experience of volunteering. However if you have any specifications (for example - you might only want to teach sport), just let us know and we can tailor-make the program you are looking for. Otherwise, you may wish to go with the flow and volunteer in a variety of worthwhile institutes for a diverse experience. You may also work with adults who want to improve their English so that they can improve their career prospects - here you'll be able to have more in depth conversations. As well as English, you can teach the following subjects in Brazil:

• Music

• Dance (modern, contemporary, ballet, etc.)

• Art

• Drama

• IT

• Sports (Football, Basketball, Netball, Volleyball on the beach!) and various other sports - see also the coaching sports page

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
As well as providing much needed assistance to children within schools, Travellers have also developed a number of partnerships with social projects aimed at providing English lessons and recreational activities to street children or those from disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Our projects provide educational assistance and also encourage 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. Such children have the opportunity to develop social skills and life skills. Along with the co-ordinators of such projects you'll be acting as a positive role model to children, keeping them away from the dangers of the streets. It is not uncommon for children, particularly in Rio's poorer areas to never have left their village. Many will be amazed and confused that you speak an entirely different language - and they'll want to learn it too!

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 age groups you'd like to work with. All projects are within 45 minutes of your hotel accommodation and you will live and play with all of our other Travellers Rio-volunteers!

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.

CIEP:
This is a state school located towards the north of Rio, on the outskirts of the city. It was once a near derelict building in an area of extreme poverty where many residents had no access to sanitation or running water. Five years ago, a new principal took over the management of the school, and worked tirelessly to not only renovate the building of the school but to change the mindset of the pupils and their families in the surrounding villages. With donations gained privately and through local sponsorship, she has managed to create an environment that encourages learning, both through the curriculum for children at school, and through extra curricular activities provided for free to children and adults in the community.

The schools main objective is to keep children in off the streets, so it provides activities throughout the day and in the evenings in the hope that children will want to stay all day, every day..... and they do! On top of this, children receive a nutritious meal at lunchtime, which is usually their only meal of the entire day. For many children their parents can't afford to provide food, so on Fridays and Monday's they receive the largest meal of the week to keep them going over the weekend. The enthusiasm from the principal and staff (many of whom are volunteers themselves) has the most incredible effect on the children - despite their circumstances and the daily hardships that they face, they simply love school!! You will be welcomed with open arms to teach whatever you can, including sports (football, basketball), music, art, IT and other recreational activities! However, all of the teachers are very excited about being able to offer students the possibility to learn English.

Some of the teachers at this school speak English and will assist you in your volunteering. It is open from 7am to 10pm and your work will constitute 4 to 5 hours a day. There are approximately 500 children here, with around 35 to a class. The children are all ages. This centre also accommodates children with mental disabilities.

Vicky Boughton, Travellers Manager, said of her visit to this school: "I was introduced to each classroom by the principal, who explained to the children that I was from England and didn't understand Portuguese. Their mouths fell open that someone from another country had come to visit! Many of these children have never even been into Rio itself, so you can imagine their excitement and surprise at a foreigner being there.

She taught the children in each class how to say 'GOOD MORNING, VICKY', and they all chanted it at the tops of their voices. She then asked them in Portuguese, 'Who wants to learn English', to which everyone's hands shot up in the air! At lunch, I was surrounded by happy, giggling children asking me to "Fala Ingles" (speak English) - they were fascinated to hear words that they couldn't understand and we had fun comparing the English and Portuguese words for parts of the body. A good lesson in Portuguese for me as well!

The principal is incredibly genuine and passionate about the school and is viewed as a mother figure by many of the children. When I left, she couldn't thank me enough for being part of setting up this programme, which will give children at the school the opportunity to be exposed to native English speakers. This project is going to be a huge success - the school is incredible and heartbreaking at the same time, anyone volunteering here will fall in love with it's magical atmosphere!" 

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.

The focus of Ballet de Santa Tereza is on teaching dance, but aside from this you can also help take lessons in 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.

Stephanie White, says of her placement at Santa Tereza: "Everyone at Ballet De Santa Tereza made me feel at home and it was a brilliant experience. I really couldn't of asked for a better bunch of kids! The children at Santa Tereza are so much fun and very talented, I became very close to them all and I miss them very much! A lot of the families there don't have much when it comes to material things but their culture and lively personalities make up for that!

Ballet De Santa Tereza is a great organisation, the children enjoy every day there! I suppose it is like an escape for them! I would definitely recommend a trip out to Rio and volunteering somewhere like Ballet De Santa Tereza, it really was the best time of my life!"

Fundação Nosso Lar
About 26 students in total with 6 to 8 students per class ranging in age from 7 to 16 years. Volunteers will teach here for 3-4 hours a day Monday to Friday. Volunteers can teach English, music or art here. The children at this school are very poor and they have practically no knowledge of English presently. Sometimes you will be asked to assist the class’s regular teacher, with conversational English, whilst at other times you may be in charge and expected to take the lead for the class.

Associação Benedita da Providência – Creche Mamãe Carolina
This school hosts 120 pupils from young children to young teenagers with classes of about 27. You will teach 3 to 4 hours a day during the working week. Again the children here are poor with no knowledge of English currently.

SCNSA - Sociedade Civil Nossa Senhora Aparecida
Located 20 minutes away on the outskirts of Iguaçu, the SCNSA complex has a wide range of social services, including a fully operational hospital, dental surgery and a crèche. The SCNSA has approximately 200 infants aged 4-6 (you'll work with some of them in the mornings) and approximately 250 adolescents aged 12 – 18, some of whom you'd work with in the afternoons. Group sizes vary but the average is between 30 to 35. Your role and responsibilities may vary greatly from day to day - you may be asked to work independently, in pairs, or as part of a team under supervision. Activities range from informal fun and games to a more structured teaching schedule. The teaching programme is designed to address all of the students’ developmental needs, both academically and socially.

New Wave Private Language Centre
Here you can teach conversational English to students who range in age from about 16 upwards in the ‘schools'. These students appreciate the benefits of learning English and the effect it will have on their working lives and their future, thus teaching them is very satisfying. The schools have a lovely atmosphere and group sizes usually are not larger than 15 - group sizes generally range from 8 to 12, making easily manageable classes and a friendly and inviting atmosphere. Classrooms are small and intimate, with good teaching facilities.

"New Wave school where I teach is amazing. They have excellent facilities, staff and students are friendly and I feel part of the teaching team when I attend teacher meetings every other Friday at 2.00p.m. There are three branches of the school so you have a variety of classes." Videesha Kunkulagunta

Some of the schools are located in the centre of town within walking distance of your accommodation. Others are slightly further away but can be reached easily via public transport. Transport to and from your school is covered by Travellers.

Whilst a basic grasp of Portuguese will be extremely helpful on this placement, it is not mandatory and there are English speaking teachers/supervisors at all the centres who will help you with translation. It is worth considering combining a short language course with your volunteer placement to fully get the most out of your experience. If you're interested in this please have a look here or ask us for more details.

Before you go - you can enroll in a 1-day intensive open teacher training course (optional) if you're unsure about teaching.

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 begins at midnight on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and lasts for five days, but the whole country stops for about two weeks. 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 - 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

.

The enthusiastic kids at Rio's CIEP School

Volunteer Vera with some of her students

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Volunteer Hayley with her class
 

 Click here for an interview with Travellers Volunteer Vera Tyler on BBC Radio Herefordshire

UK Co-Ordinator Elizabeth with the staff at a social centre in Rio

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 manuals that will be very useful on your project.

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.   

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