IVHQ Brazil Volunteering Programs

I spent 6 months volunteering in Brazil and all i can say today is, time flies and if I had the occasion to do it again i would do it!!!! These few months were such a great experience and a life lesson! When I applied for the program I was looking for professional experience and for personal experience, which I think i both got! I had the chance to volunteer in two different programs (childcare and teaching) where i had the occasion to see and understand the reality of Brazil in terms of education, economics, politics… Making part of these programs and living in Brazil gives you an idea of real life in Brazil, which can be shocking at first. But I can say that after just a few weeks i already felt at home and I knew that i could have an positive impact in volunteering in the communities. The kids you work with everyday grow so much into your heart… it's an amazing feeling! But not just the kids, also the program staff! They were very welcoming and grateful for all help. Then there is the JIVE staff of course which does an excellent job! Any question you have they are happy to help you and they make you feel at home! :) Last but not least, you get to know so many people, other volunteers coming from everywhere in the world. It's so interesting because on top of the Brazilian culture you get to know so many other cultures! And I'm so glad to say that some of the people I met (volunteers, locals, JIVE members) are now friends to me and that those are friendships for life! :) Besides volunteering you are also a tourist of course and you get plenty of time to discover the amazing Brazil and also the social life! I had a really great time!

Volunteering in Rio was a fantastic opportunity! The chance to live, work and experience every aspect of the Carioca life was something that I will always treasure. I volunteered on Community Development and Carnival projects. Community Development was a great experience because I was doing manual work that I never had a chance to do before. It was a great personal challenge to see what I could achieve but more importantly seeing how I contributed to the local community. Carnival was a real insight into the hard work, passion and dedication of the Samba schools that goes into such an iconic event. The programme staff were really grateful for the help and were such lovely friendly people and you soon became part of their team. JIVE is a great organisation, everyone is helpful and friendly and are always there whenever you need them. The house is in beautiful Santa Teresa and I couldn't fault the accommodation and breakfasts - everything is really good! Although Rio has a strong reputation for being a dangerous city, I felt very at home there within a week - you just need to be sensible. I loved my time there so much that I planned on going for six weeks and ended up staying four months. If you're unsure just go for it, you won't be disappointed!

I volunteered in Rio through IVHQ. They were the facilitator for the local organisation JIVE Brazil. And what an incredible organisation they are!! The team at jive made my 5 weeks in Rio feel like a home away from home. From the first moment I arrived I was greeted by Miguel and maybe 10 other sore heads (6am Sunday morning). From that moment on it felt like a big family in a big house. So professional throughout the week and so much fun on the weekend, they are truly a class act. Being surrounded in a beautiful home by likeminded people made this a truly unique experience. In saying that, this wasn't the best part of my time in Rio. I volunteered as an English teacher in the outskirts of Rio. A culture shock at first, the kids at this truly needy school made me feel welcome. Cleide, the lady responsible for this wonderful initiative was a kind, gentle, funny lady (like all cariocas), who knew how to get the best out of all her kids, including her biggest kid, me. It wasn't long before she found out I was a carpenter and had me building and fixing. Her appreciation was unparalleled to anything I have ever experienced. Teaching, building and getting soccer lessons from my kids was something I looked forward to every morning! So, in summary. Don't hesitate, just do it. I can promise you won't regret this experience. At the risk of sounding clichè, it was life changing.