Teach art to local children in Rio and assist in the beautifying of its underprivileged, lower-income communities! In the long-term this beautification may play an important role in changing the image and reputation of the favelas.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum One-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Saturday: Arrive at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). Volunteers’ chosen hostel staff will pick them up from the airport and transfer them to the hostel accommodation. After settling in, volunteers are free to spend the afternoon relaxing at the nearby beach!
Day 1, Sunday: Free day for volunteers to relax at the beach or explore.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will meet the local team at a metro station in the morning. Volunteers will receive an introduction to the local team, along with a Portuguese language class and a favela tour, followed by a typical Brazilian lunch at a local restaurant.
Days 3-6, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will begin their work on their first Tuesday. Volunteers generally spend one day teaching art skills to local school children, and another two days per week painting and beautifying the area. Schedules will be sent prior to arrival.
Days 7-8, Saturday-Sunday: Saturday is departure day for volunteers staying only one week. Volunteers who are extending will have the weekend free to relax or explore.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering for three days, Monday-Friday, and having weekends free. Departures are on a Saturday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Program Highlights:
- Live and volunteer in the beautiful beach city of Rio de Janeiro
- Use your creative skills to brighten up low-income areas
- Teach children artistic skills
- Provide children with a fun after-school activity
- Enjoy the beaches and vibe of Rio during free days and weekends
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum One-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Saturday: Arrive at Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG). Volunteers’ chosen hostel staff will pick them up from the airport and transfer them to the hostel accommodation. After settling in, volunteers are free to spend the afternoon relaxing at the nearby beach!
Day 1, Sunday: Free day for volunteers to relax at the beach or explore.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will meet the local team at a metro station in the morning. Volunteers will receive an introduction to the local team, along with a Portuguese language class and a favela tour, followed by a typical Brazilian lunch at a local restaurant.
Days 3-6, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will begin their work on their first Tuesday. Volunteers generally spend one day teaching art skills to local school children, and another two days per week painting and beautifying the area. Schedules will be sent prior to arrival.
Days 7-8, Saturday-Sunday: Saturday is departure day for volunteers staying only one week. Volunteers who are extending will have the weekend free to relax or explore.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering for three days, Monday-Friday, and having weekends free. Departures are on a Saturday.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Location of the Project:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Project length:
Min 1 week - Max 8 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG)
Volunteer Work:
Teaching, education, painting
Age:
Min age of 18. Age exception: Volunteers under the age of 18 may join this project only if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 50 international volunteers
What's Included
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in a hostel
Food:
Breakfasts are included each day
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup is provided upon arrival
Orientation:
Volunteers will receive an introduction to the local team, along with a Portuguese language class and a favela tour, followed by a typical Brazilian lunch at a local restaurant.
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches and dinners, personal expenses.
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular destination in Brazil, iconically represented by its landmarks and world renowned events. Also referred to as “Marvelous City,” Rio‘s vibrant energy, famous Copacabana beach and iconic statue of Christ, that looks over the city from the top of Mount Corcovado, all make it a firm favorite on the top of travel bucket lists. Don’t forget that Rio is also home to the world’s largest festival, “Carnaval,” that parades through the streets with giant floats, filled with colorful samba dancers in extravagant costumes. This southeastern seaside city is the perfect destination for volunteers who want to experience the excitement and energy of Brazil!
Teach children art and help beautify the favelas of Rio! Nearly 25% of the Rio population live in these disadvantaged communities, and there are over 1,000 favelas in Rio de Janeiro alone. Favela youth often don’t have the opportunity to take creative classes such as art, so this volunteer project provides them with the special opportunity to express themselves in a positive way. Often, the children join volunteers in painting around the favelas and assist in the beautification of these low-income areas.The majority of the painting has been in Rocinha where volunteers have spent over two years painting houses throughout the community. On the surface the art makes the community more beautiful and residents are more proud of their community. Long-term this beautification may play an important role in changing the image and reputation of the favelas. This activity helps to provide these children with the opportunity to give back to their community and to engage in a fun after-school activity, which is a privilege in this area.
Some of your tasks may include:
A typical week: Volunteers will arrive on a Saturday, settle into their chosen accommodations and begin their project on Monday. Volunteers will generally spend one day per week teaching art classes and two days per week outside, painting in the favelas. Volunteers will leave their accommodation around 9:00 AM, and their first activity will be from 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM. Lunch break is from 12:00-1:00 PM, followed by the continuation of their activity until 3:00 PM. Debriefing will be from 3:00-3:30 PM, following which volunteers will return to their living accommodations.
Please note: The favela youth do not speak English, so the onsite staff and local teachers will be translating when necessary. Artistic talent is preferred for the class instruction portion.
Holidays: This project wil be closed for Carnival (February 9 - 18, 2018) and Christmas (December 22, 2018 - January 6, 2019)
Some of your tasks may include:
- Teaching art skills
- Providing the opportunity of a fun after-school activity for local children
- Painting walls, stairs and other public areas/homes in the favela
- Beautifying low-income areas
A typical week: Volunteers will arrive on a Saturday, settle into their chosen accommodations and begin their project on Monday. Volunteers will generally spend one day per week teaching art classes and two days per week outside, painting in the favelas. Volunteers will leave their accommodation around 9:00 AM, and their first activity will be from 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM. Lunch break is from 12:00-1:00 PM, followed by the continuation of their activity until 3:00 PM. Debriefing will be from 3:00-3:30 PM, following which volunteers will return to their living accommodations.
Please note: The favela youth do not speak English, so the onsite staff and local teachers will be translating when necessary. Artistic talent is preferred for the class instruction portion.
Holidays: This project wil be closed for Carnival (February 9 - 18, 2018) and Christmas (December 22, 2018 - January 6, 2019)
Internet:
WiFi is available in the hostel.
Laundry:
Laundry facilities are available in the hostel.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in a hostel that is close to the beach and metro, so it will be easy to get to and from the project site each day. Rooms are generally shared between four to six people, mixed gender. Single gender rooms may be requested, pending availability.
Food:
Breakfast is provided each day at the hostels. Typical Brazilian street food includes fried foods such as empanadas and coxinhas (fried dough with shredded meat, usually chicken, inside). Brazilian desserts tend to consist mainly of chocolate, and the signature Brazilian cocktail, the caipirinha, is similar to the more well-known margarita, which is also popular in Brazil and is available often in tropical flavors such as passion fruit.
Please take note of this project's minimum requirements:
- Basic level of English, Portuguese or Spanish
- Police clearance
- Art skills preferred
Rio is a city that offers non-stop fun; with a thriving nightlife scene and street parties being thrown consistently throughout the year, visitors could never be bored. Volunteers on this project have lots of time for exploring Rio (and more of Brazil). Listed below are a few suggestions for exploring the “Marvelous City”:
Copacabana Beach
Visit Brazil’s most famous tourist beach! This beach, with crystal-blue water, is outlined with the easily recognizable wave-style brick boardwalk.
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
The National Park of Tijuca is all that remains of the Atlantic Rainforest, that used to surround Rio. There are trails, waterfalls and caves waiting to be explored here; perfect for the nature-loving volunteer.
Jardim Botânico
Located in the south of Rio is a residential neighborhood that includes a botanical garden, hence the name. The garden leads to the Tijuca Rainforest, and contains more than 8,000 plant species.
Copacabana Beach
Visit Brazil’s most famous tourist beach! This beach, with crystal-blue water, is outlined with the easily recognizable wave-style brick boardwalk.
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
The National Park of Tijuca is all that remains of the Atlantic Rainforest, that used to surround Rio. There are trails, waterfalls and caves waiting to be explored here; perfect for the nature-loving volunteer.
Jardim Botânico
Located in the south of Rio is a residential neighborhood that includes a botanical garden, hence the name. The garden leads to the Tijuca Rainforest, and contains more than 8,000 plant species.
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