Community Development Environmental Volunteer Programme, Brazil

The goal of the volunteer programme in Brazil is to make a positive impact on Brazilian society and on the projects in which it takes place, and promote intercultural exchange. It is the ideal travel experience for those who want to go beyond the ordinary.

Volunteers on the environmental programme help support and develop some of Rio’s most precious natural spaces, while providing alternative solutions to low-income communities on how to dispose waste and recycle.

The programme combines work at a community vegetable garden in a local neighbourhood (favela) and the Tijuca National Park. In the favela, the work can include gardening, cleaning, digging, planting etc. together with a group of gardeners. Volunteers help the gardeners and have the chance to experience favela life.

The Tijuca Forest is the world’s largest urban rainforest. At the national park, there is a wide range of activities that might include clearing trails, cutting branches, species monitoring, painting fences and more. The work at the park might take place in 2 different sites.

Volunteers work in the community garden on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at the National Park on Wednesday and Thursdays. Once a month (Saturday), there is a big community gathering in the forest where volunteers have the chance to meet many like-minded Brazilian and foreigner volunteers.

Both projects are only in the mornings from 9-12am before the sun gets too strong. Volunteers will then have afternoons free as well as Fridays to explore Rio de Janeiro.

Location

Bustling metropolises, nestled among forested hills, sit alongside stretching coastline; creating a stark contrast between nature and city. But this is characteristic of Brazil, where an effervescent culture sets itself up amidst immense natural wonders. Between the two, this large South American country is bursting at the seams with the spectacular. Colonial architecture tangles with the sheer diversity of the people that mingle along the streets, making the food, music and dance a unique blend of influences from around the globe.

Rio de Janeiro, the self proclaimed cultural capital of Brazil, is the second most populous city in the country with its 6.5 million people. This UNESCO heritage city is among the most visited in South America and is famous for its beaches, natural wonders, sights like Christ the Redeemer, and not to forget the largest party of the year, Carnival!

Accommodation

As a volunteer in Brazil, you will be staying in a charming Hostel located on the lower part of Santa Teresa neighbourhood. The hostel has many leisure areas, free Wi-Fi and laundry service. Breakfast is provided and there is a fully equipped kitchen that volunteers can use to prepare other meals. All rooms have lockers (just bring your own lock).

The hostel has 3 floors. On the first floor there is the reception where you can always find a friendly face, a large living/TV room, a veranda with a bar and tables to chill out, a big kitchen with a dinning area next to it, a big dinning table, and even a music room; if you play any instrument you are welcome to bring it along and/or play with the instruments that the hostel already has.

On the second floor there are the shared dorms where our volunteers and other guests stay, and bathrooms. And on the third floor there are private rooms available at an extra fee. The hostel tries to book one room exclusively for the volunteers. However, when this room is full, we accommodate volunteers in other rooms.

Project Dates

Volunteers can join from 2 weeks up to 24 weeks as a maximum all year round (24 weeks is if you are from a country that can extend your tourist visa in country, if not the maximum stay is 12 weeks).