Disadvantaged Children/Children at Risk Project
Project At A Glance |
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Start Point: Rio de Janeiro
End Point: Gale ã o International Airport – Rio de Janeiro
Duration: 2-12 Weeks
Hours: 20-30 Hours per week
Food: Local meals 3 times a day
Room: Local volunteer house
Date: First and Third Monday of each month |
Parents who are fortunate enough to be employed in Brazil are not always fortunate enough to be able to afford appropriate day care for their children. Children who are not old enough to attend school must be often left at home, often times unattended or with another parent or older child. As a result, this prevents parents from seeking employment (to further supplement and/or increase their income) or keeps the older children (who are required to take care of their younger siblings) from attending school and crippling their very important chances at receiving a proper education
IFRE is in great need of volunteers who are willing to share their time, efforts, personal skills and (most importantly) love for the good and betterment of these children. Volunteers can contribute to these projects on various levels: teaching English (or Spanish), serving as a mentor or role-model, etc. Children in these projects usually range in age from 2-4 years old. Volunteers can assist the already-existing staff by feeding the children, instructing the children in creativity-based activities (arts, music, dance, etc.), and more.
 Skills/Qualifications
No specific qualifications are required to join the Disadvantaged Children/Children at Risk project in Brazil . However, interested individuals should have a passion and eagerness to help less fortunate children. While Portugese is preferred it is not required. IFRE offers free Portuguese lessons to participants volunteering in Brazil . All volunteers are encouraged to be flexible, patient and adaptive.
Volunteers' Responsibilities
In IFRE's Disadvantaged Children/Children at Risk Project, volunteers will assist children in various ways – teaching English and/or Spanish, organizing games, assisting the centers' staff members in feeding and caring for these often impoverished children or simply being a positive companion. Volunteers also help in developing creative programs such as art, music, dance and even recreational activities such as various sports. Additional assistance may be required with the planning of day trips, education on issues of personal hygiene, cooking and meal preparation as well as helping with various administrative duties.
Room/Food
 IFRE manages living accommodations and meals within a volunteer hostel located in a quaint neighborhood within the city of Rio de Janeiro . The city of Rio de Janeiro is famous for a number of icons representative of Brazil – i.e. the statue of Christ the Redeemer hovering over the city, the spinning colors of the various samba schools (‘sambadoras'), numerous beaches, and more. With easy access to public transportation, volunteers have this world-class city at their fingertips. Within these accommodations, volunteers have numerous amenities such as: television, a kitchen, internet services, laundry, etc. Detailed housing information will be provided before volunteers arrive in Rio de Janeiro . IFRE manages 3 local foods a day. Occasionally, volunteers will also be required to prepare/serve their own meals |
