Description

Competing against forest-clad mountains to the right and the cool Pacific Ocean to the left, Rio's enthusiastic residents have somehow managed to create a city beautiful enough not to let down the neighborhood! Why not pay them a visit and help some of the poorest favellas become as bright as the rest of the city? This project mixes hands-on work renovating local buildings with attempts to educate youngsters about sexual health and the dangers of drugs. Rest assured your day will be varied, from painting, cleaning, and gardening to developing community events within the renovated public spaces. What's more, when you finish admiring your handy work you're free to explore the most exciting city on the planet.

Project details:

The Nucleo de prevencao de DST-AIDS, which will be coordinating this project, started its operations in 2001 with the objective of educating the youth of the Community regarding contracting HIV and AIDS through drug needles and unprotected sexual relations. Considering the lack of information on this issue within the Community, the organization expanded their work to include women's health, diabetes, tuberculosis and hypertension.

The objective of this particular project is to renovate 20 public spaces in the Morro dos Prazeres in Santa Teresa along with an awareness campaign that will help maintain these spaces. The project will include 5 youths and 10 children from the Community. Each public space should take around 30 days to complete.

Why the project needs volunteers:

The need for volunteers, especially foreign volunteers, is far more than suggested by the day to day activities - the benefit of which is clear. A key theme that has been stressed is the exchange of ideas, such as: renovation and construction techniques; educational techniques regarding awareness necessity to maintain these public spaces clean and welcoming; new techniques regarding art, graffiti, landscaping and recycling; and recreational activity ideas with the objective of improving children's self-esteem. It is hoped that volunteers and local project workers will both be able to learn new ways of thinking, and of course the ultimate aim is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of the community.

Highlights

* Working to make an immediate difference to the 'favela'
* Getting to know as many Brazilian's as possible - it will change your whole outlook on life
* Taking in a soccer match at the Maracana - a must even for non-sports fans

Qualifications

What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
Ideally, the project is looking for volunteers who have experience with environmental education and gardening, but the most important criteria are creativity, imagination, good sense of humour, and rapport with children. Basic Brazilian Portuguese and/or Intermediate Spanish is recommended.

Your role as a volunteer:
Work will be split between both physical and mental activities: 1) Painting, cleaning, decorating and fixing the public spaces, and also gardening. 2) Developing awareness campaigns regarding the maintenance of the public spaces, structuring community events within the renovated public spaces, and organising recreational activities in the community.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,649.00 for 2 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
* Food: Food is not included; you will need to purchase your own food (approximately USD 50 per week)
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Building Maintenance
• Community Development
• Renovation
• Repairs
• Restoration

Age Range

18 years old and up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

i-to-i Volunteering's Mission Statement

i-to-i Volunteering provides unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 130 projects on 4 continents, across 22 countries you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching English, community development, conservation, home building, and working with animals.

Year Founded

1994