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Volunteer in Brazil - It Will Change You Forever...

  • World's most affordable fees guaranteed
  • Pay your program fees directly to your host families and projects
  • Experienced local staffs to attend to your every need
  • Flexible schedule that leaves evenings and weekends free for fun, travel and exploration

Do want to enjoy the vibe of living in a modern city full of exciting moments? Help the disadvantaged and volunteering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second and most exciting city, while also reveling in the nightlife, wonderful beaches and the carnivals the city is so famous for. As a volunteer in Rio, you will no doubt have an extraordinary and incredible experience as you partake in endless outdoor activities and immerse in colorful local culture. Helping Abroad invites you to join this unique program and share your love, passion, and time with the disadvantaged community or children of Rio and expand their opportunities for the future.

While Rio is a modern city which is about to host massive sporting events like Soccer World Cup and the Olympic games, there is a wide gap that exists between the rich and the poor. This divide is clearly visible in the city, with the well off living in wealthy neighborhoods, while the poor living in shanty towns in appalling condition. Helping Abroad needs your help to enrich the lives of low income families and give them hope for a better future. As a volunteer in Brazil, you can have irreplaceable opportunity to grow personally, professionally and emotionally as you expand your worldwide views and contribute to helping the disadvantaged. Enroll now. Email us and begin your captivating journey to Brazil. We will be happy to provide you with more information and answer any questions you may have.

Program Fee

Helping Abroad volunteers Program starts every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

The volunteer programs will be closed during the following periods:

  • December 22 – January 4, 2017 (Holidays)
  • February 12 – February 23, 2017 (Carnival)

Are you looking for a safe and affordable volunteer abroad experience? Do you want to see the fees you pay, being utilized towards the welfare of the project and host families? Helping abroad, a 501 c 3, offer volunteer programs at unbeatable, low prices. At Helping Abroad, we maintain a level of transparency of funds, especially for volunteers who want to know where and how the fee they pay are being channelized. The volunteer fee is paid directly to the families that host volunteers and the project that volunteers work on. The program fee is divided as registration fee ($299) and weekly fee. The registration fee is used to cover our expenses like advertisement and office expenses. The weekly fee is divided between room/local food (3 times a day, 50-70%) and project donation/ support to local project staff (30-50%) and local coordination fee (10%). The allocation may differ according to location and project type. Therefore, our coordinator will explain these issues before you pay the fees. Please find the breakdown of the cost in a weekly basis below:

Duration Fee
  1 Week   $370
  2 Weeks   $595
  3 Weeks   $845
  4 Weeks   $1,095
  5 Weeks   $1,320
  6 Weeks   $1,545
  7 Weeks   $1,770
  8 Weeks   $1,995
Additional Fee
  • Mandatory Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day
Included in Fee
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • Donation to project
  • In-country office expenses
  • Field support
  • Project coordination
Not Included in Fee
  • International flights
  • Passport and visa fees
  • Immunizations
  • Personal food and beverages
  • Travel costs
  • Entertainment
  • Local transportation
  • Laundry
  • Communication (telephone, internet)

Volunteer Programs

Teaching English Project (Rio de Janeiro) in Brazil

Orphanages Children

Gain teaching experience, explore fascinating city and assist children learn an increasingly important language. The demand for English is constantly on the rise with tourism, trade and globalization. Helping Abroad is currently partnering with schools in Rio to increase opportunities for students from low-income families. As a volunteer in Brazil teaching English, you will allow your students to communicate in the global market, brightening their futures and expanding their career possibilities. Travel to Brazil, surround yourself in urban rainforest, beaches, shanty towns, engage in cultural exchange and most importantly, improve the lives and futures of these children. Your time and efforts will without a doubt change the lives of the children you help.

Educational Requirements and Project Skills

No specific skills, qualifications or experiences are required. You're expected to have a basic knowledge of English to communicate with the project staff and local people. You should have a passion for teaching and caring for children. Volunteers must be hardworking, patient, confident, enthusiastic and good with children. You should bring energy and enthusiasm to your projects.

Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer

The Helping Abroad volunteer teaching English in Brazil project offers an array of formal and informal educational programs for children. The primary responsibility for volunteers is teaching conversational English while making the language fun and interactive. Here are some examples of volunteer activities in India:

  • Teaching English
  • Working with local teachers to plan lessons
  • Planning and leading extracurricular activities such as dancing, games, music, sports, art, etc.
  • Helping children successfully finish their homework
  • Helping children with art projects and drawing
  • Teaching children personal hygiene
  • Working on maintenance such as painting, building, and other activities to improve the facilities
  • Providing assistance to school administrations to help with operational tasks and curriculum development
  • Fundraising

Please Note: The activities above are mere examples of volunteers' daily activities, but this may change due to requests from local staff members and teachers. You will receive your work schedule at the start of the project. In addition, you will work with a school supervisor that will provide guidance and assist you develop your teaching lessons. You are only required to work only 3 to 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday, therefore, you will have ample time to relax and explore Brazil.

Major FAQ's

  • Who will meet me in airport? What should I do if I am delayed or miss my flight? When should I arrive?
  • Please book your flight to arrive to Galeao International Airport in Rio de Janeiro. The Helping Abroad country coordinator will be waiting for you at the "Arrival" gate. Please look for a person with both the Helping Abroad company logo and your name on a sign card. In case your contact person is not there, please contact the Helping Abroad office and we will immediately follow up on your contact person's whereabouts. Coordinators' contact details are available on the pre-departure handbook. If your flight is delayed, immediately contact Helping Abroad so we can make adjustments to your program. Helping Abroad will be responsible for creating the necessary changes in your program.

    The program fee covers expenses from the first day of the program to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program and/or stay beyond the last day of the program, you will be responsible for these expenses.

  • What are the visa requirements to volunteer in Brazil?
  • It is the volunteer's responsibility to acquire a tourist visa. You must have a visa before you travel to Brazil. Please contact either our office or the local Brazilian embassy to learn more about the process for obtaining a visa, timelines, visa fees and visa extensions.

  • What do I need to know about health and safety in Brazil?
  • Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to Brazil. You can read about health and safety in Brazil on the website below:

  • What immunizations/vaccinations are recommended before arriving to Brazil?
  • We strongly recommend that volunteers obtain vaccinations before arriving in Brazil. You can speak with your health-care provider to determine which vaccinations you will need. Please read CDC recommendations about vaccinations and preventive medicine: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/Brazil.htm

  • What is the local currency and exchange rate?
  • Brazil's local currency is the Brazilian real (BRL). You can exchange money when you arrive at the Rio de Janeiro Airport. ATM cards are the best way to get money and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in larger cities, large stores and large hotels. It is a good idea to carry a credit card for large purchases and emergencies. Make sure you notify your bank that you will be out of the country and give them your expected arrival/departure dates. This will prevent your account from being locked and you will be advised about any fraudulent charges. In Brazil, please always be aware of your situation and keep all valuables and money concealed at all times. It is always best to go to the ATM machine in groups.

    Please visit XE, a privately held online foreign exchange tool for rates. XE.com (http://www.xe.com)

  • How can I communicate with my family/friends while I am abroad? Is there internet access?
  • If you have an unlocked cell phone that contains a place to insert a SIM card, we recommend that you bring it because you can buy a SIM card upon arrival in Brazil. Phones are important to have for safety and communication with family and Helping Abroad staff. Internet cafes are widely available in Brazil.

  • How is the climate in Brazil?
  • Brazil is a big country and climate can vary. As our volunteer program is located in Rio de Janeiro, please find below how the weather in the city will look like.

    The climate of Rio de Janeiro is tropical and temperate. The city has high temperatures and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Temperatures hover between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F) and rarely go too far either side. The seasons in Rio are reverse as it lies in the southern hemisphere. Summer falls between December and February, sometimes stretching into early March. The winter months are from June to August. During winter, the weather is warm and there is less rain.

    For accurate weather please visit ACCU Weather (http://www.accuweather.com)

  • What should I bring?
  • You can purchase basic necessities in Brazil at reasonable prices, but we suggest bringing the following:

    • An unlocked mobile phone (you can use it after buying a sim card)
    • Camera
    • Sleeping bag
    • Mosquito repellent
    • Insect repellent
    • Sunscreen
    • Books about Brazil
    • Map of Brazil
    • Toiletries
    • First aid kit
    • Flash light
    • Electricity adapter/converter
    • Sun glasses
    • Good shoes (for work and travel)
    • Towel
  • Should I bring gifts for my host family?
  • You are not required to bring a gift but it is common courtesy as a token of appreciation for hosting you. If you are working in orphanages or schools, you can bring items such as school supplies and games. Remember that many children will desire what you bring, so you may want to bring a large amount of one item (pencils, pens, notebooks, games, art supplies, etc).

NOTE:Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is derived from generic information about the country, and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly, and the information contained here may not be up to date. Participants should consult Helping Abroad staff or travel advisors to verify this information.