Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest in the world. Its natural beauty includes amazing beaches, sand dunes, a desert, tropical forests, and even a southern cold climate. During volunteer projects in Brazil, you could help with water supplies in the north, help animals in a tropical forest, or teach English south-cental. It’s up to you!
Rio offers a ton of variety in volunteer projects in Brazil!
Brazil is also the most biodiverse country on the planet. Thirty percent of the world's species are located in the Amazon alone. But diversity is not only found in the forests here; the country has a racially diverse population due to immigration. The colonial history of Brazil has resulted in Portuguese, African, Italian, and German influences on culture and music.
Volunteering internationally, especially in Brazil, will allow you to discover the richness of South America and the worth of the people. Essential tips for international volunteers will help you make the most of your project, and doing a little research on how to adapt to a new environment will help you prepare.
Related: Do You Have What it Takes to Volunteer in Latin America?
So, what kind of volunteer projects need the most assistance right now? These are the causes to look at:
9 volunteer projects in Brazil that need your help
1. Animal Welfare & Monitoring
Working as an animal welfare volunteer will involve once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
There are massive amounts of animal species in Brazil, and we know that some species are coming close to extinction. In order to help protect them, it's necessary to monitor their behavior to see if they are healthy, safe, and even reproducing.
Many organizations need volunteers to help them with data collecting and tracking. They use camera traps to monitor the animals' lives, so volunteers need to watch footage, identify species, and archive what’s been analyzed.
This way, scientists are better able to understand animals’ routines and challenges. Most of the work is in the field, so organizations highly recommend that volunteers enjoy being outside and exercising.
- When? Year round
- Duration? Two weeks to a full year
- Recommended programs: IPBio and FreeWildlifeBrazil Celine
2. Childcare
Many childcare and community centers that accept volunteers in Brazil specifically work with traumatized kids. The centers need volunteers to play, teach, and help with organization — and most importantly, to remind the children that they are kids.
Volunteering with children is your chance to contribute not only to the betterment of their futures, but to the improvement of the country’s future as well. Opportunities exist in megacities like Rio and also in small towns; children are an at-risk group in many locations around the country, especially if they belong to vulnerable communities.
Community centers in Brazil work on creating productive outlets so kids can break cycles and choose better futures for themselves.
- When? Year round
- Duration? 4 – 24 weeks
- Recommended programs: Love Volunteers and IVHQ
3. Health & AIDS Prevention
In the last few years, HIV has increased in number of cases in Brazil. Often, it can be pointed to a lack of education and health infrastructures within the country — that’s why the help of medical volunteers in Brazil is welcomed.
Poor areas and communities, the favelas, are hit the hardest. Their universal health system is quite extensive, and does provide contraception, birth control, and AIDS treatment; however, due to the sheer size of the country and population, their health system is always open to receive some extra help.
Volunteers are welcome to support AIDS and STD prevention groups, campaigns, events, workshops, and anything that could positively impact the affected communities. Programs usually offer close proximity to community leaders, allowing health volunteers to have a great impact in bringing awareness and healthier standards to communities in need.
- When? Year round
- Duration? 3 weeks minimum
- Recommended programs: Frontier and ELI Abroad
4. Sports
Volunteer projects in Brazil include the opportunity to get involved in soccer culture!
Brazil is the country of soccer. It’s the native home of the best footballers in the world, and has an incisive drive for sports. The best part is that you can take part in this popular aspect of Brazilian culture by becoming a sports coach!
There are volunteer projects in Brazil focused on assisting and bringing classes to the favelas where you can coach children who are at-risk, as well as projects in private clubs where you can coach young athletes and help them improve their skills.
It doesn't have to necessarily be soccer, though. Brazil has a big passion for several other sports such as surfing, volleyball, and tennis. Choose your passion and go from there!
- When? Year round
- Duration? Up to 24 weeks
- Recommended programs: Oyster and Iko Poran Volunteer Abroad
5. Building & Construction
Brazil is one of the strongest global economies but it’s still an underdeveloped country. There’s a lot to improve, especially in infrastructure. As a volunteer in Brazil, you can lend a much-needed helping hand to construction projects.
Most projects need help with raising structure walls, painting murals, or building furniture. Most projects are not publicly administered, meaning that you will be volunteering at a NGO or at a private institution. That’s not a problem, as they will make sure that real people profit from your help.
Top advice for this type of project is to be comfortable with lifting heavy objects and working long hours in a potentially uncomfortable climate. Sounds like a good excuse to hit the gym for a few pre-departure sessions to us!
- When? Year round
- Duration? Three weeks to one year
- Recommended programs: Eco Caminhos and Volunteer World
6. Orphanage Work
Like many countries, Brazil pays close attention to its at-risk children. Police and public psychologists work to support children who are victims of abuse and exploitation. All municipalities in Brazil have orphanages to take care of kids who have been taken into the state’s custody due to a large number of reasons.
By volunteering in Brazil orphanages, you can help these centers protect local children. These centers work to provide them a safe environment, school, and all basic needs until they are ready to return to their biological parents or are ready for adoption.
Most orphanages provide children with speech therapists, psychologists, doctors, and dentists while keeping them entertained and as content as possible during their stay. That's why the centers need your help — to help them manage and comfort kids during perhaps the hardest period of their lives.
- When? Year round
- Duration? Two weeks minimum
- Recommended programs: Brazilian Experience and Nikitas Language Abroad Schools
7. Community Development
Community development projects in Brazil have far-reaching effects.
This project is perhaps one of the most all-encompassing. Many different areas of service can qualify as community development, which is exactly why it’s a great project to pursue! Here you may find many volunteer opportunities in Brazil that don’t necessarily fit into another category.
Community development projects include women empowerment programs, community gardening, creative arts projects, general help at community centers, as well as English teaching programs. All of them with the intent of bringing kids, parents, adults, and community members together, aiming to create a general wellbeing and sense of belonging where they are located.
- When? Year round
- Duration? Two weeks minimum
- Recommended programs: IVHQ, ETIV do Brasil, and Love Volunteers
8. Wildlife
The wildlife in Brazil is a major draw for travelers all over the world; Brazilian ecosystems are revered as magical and awe-inspiring. If you love animals, there are several amazing volunteer opportunities in Brazil for you!
Projects can be in animal sanctuaries, conservation areas, national parks, or in research sites. There, you may get up-close experiences with jaguars, pumas, tortoises, monkeys, butterflies, and more. Most programs that deal in handling big animals take place at rehabilitation centers, where animals that were rescued from illegal trade or abuse are prepared for release back into their natural habitats.
For research-based volunteer projects in Brazil, you will most likely deal with smaller animals. However, in both types of programs you will learn about the impact of climate change and human activity on the livelihood of these species.
- When? Year round; some programs are seasonal
- Duration? Two weeks minimum
- Recommended programs: ELI Abroad, Green Planet Ventures, and Fronteering
9. Media
As a developing economy, Brazil needs to be present in the technological world, and many nonprofit organizations are looking for an innovative approach. They want to boost their online presence and be more visible to the world. If you’re tech savvy or a social media master, you have the skills those volunteer projects need!
Most organizations need web developers or those knowledgeable with Wordpress, content marketers, video producers, and photographers. Young people today have skills in many of these areas, so why not lend your time and help a nonprofit organization improve their marketing strategy?
- When? Year round
- Duration? Three weeks minimum
- Recommended programs: ETIV do Brasil and Volunteer World
Can’t pick? Talk to our Online Advisor for FREE and get matched with 5 volunteer projects in Brazil!
Make a difference with volunteer opportunities in Brazil!
Are volunteer projects in Brazil calling?
You can enjoy the sun, Carnaval, football, caipirinhas, and the amazing regional foods in the heart of South America, all while learning about this unique Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas.
Volunteer projects in Brazil will enrich your resume, will open your mind to a new way of life, and will teach you lots about history. Your life’s personal experience will never be the same as before knowing the Ipanema girl.
There are no excuses to not go — there are opportunities in every field! It doesn't matter if you are a fashion student or a veterinarian...you can find a volunteer project in Brazil. And let’s not forget that as the 5th largest country on Earth, you will not run out of travel opportunities during your time there.
You could live close to the Amazon and learn about the most exotic animals on the planet, or live in Rio and immerse yourself in the telenovelas that are produced there. There’s no way you won’t enjoy your time volunteering in Brazil!
Browse ALL Volunteer Projects in Brazil on GoAbroad.com
Look for the Perfect Volunteer Abroad Program Now
Start Your Search