Work In an Orphanage in Brazil

Project at A Glance

Location:  Salvador Start/End Point:  Salvador Duration:  2-12 Weeks  Hours:  20-30 Hours per week  Food:  Local meals, three (3) times a day Room:  Local host family  Date:  First and Third Monday of each month

Project Summary

IFRE collaborates with local Brazilian orphanages to offer suitable housing for the numerous, abandoned children often forced to live in the streets of Brazil. In addition to supplying shelter to these children, our partnering organizations guide volunteers in Bahia to establish some foundation and structure for these children and create brighter futures with education. Brazil orphanage project volunteers are involved in various levels of daily operations, assisting with meal preparation and serving while serving as a positive role model.

Volunteers should be enthusiastic about teaching various life-skills in a hands-on manner to these children while remaining mindful of their often-distressing circumstances. Issues regarding sanitation and personal/dental hygiene will often be addressed as volunteers work to help these children lead a productive and healthy life.

Skills/Qualifications

No specific qualifications are required to join the orphanage project in Brazil. However, interested individuals should have a passion and eagerness to help less fortunate children. While basic Portuguese fluency is preferred, it is not required. Volunteers are encouraged to be flexible, patient and adaptive.

Volunteers' Responsibilities

Volunteers in the orphanage projects will assist the staff with supervision, teaching English, playing games and helping with homework. Volunteers develop 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 and cleaning, helping with laundry and maintaining the physical property.

Room/Food

IFRE manages living accommodations and meals with host families for the entire duration of the volunteer program. Our host families are all carefully screened, well educated and have experience with hosting international volunteers. Accommodations are clean, simply furnished rooms, which may be occasionally shared with other same-gender volunteers. Volunteers will receive three (3) local meals each day consisting of delicious local cuisine. Occasionally, if volunteers are away from their host families during lunch, they may be required to pack their own “to go” lunches. Our in-country staff offers supervision for the extent of the volunteer program.