volunteer in brazil

Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America and the 5th largest country in the world. Brazil is so large that it borders all other South American countries except for Chile and Ecuador. This tropical land is not only known for its size but its ecological treasures with a large Atlantic coast, a mountain range, and the Amazon river basin and rainforest. Despite its amazing beauty there is a great need for humanitarian aid in Brazil. With around 186 million citizens, 40 million live below the poverty level, a staggering number mostly due to social injustice and a struggling economy. World Endeavors offers an amazing opportunity to help Brazil and its people at the grassroots level. Choose from teaching, orphanage, environmental conservation, wildlife conservation, health education, and community development projects.

Food: Traditional Brazilian food is included (breakfast and dinner).

Activities: Teaching Children
Volunteers help shape young lives in Brazil by sharing their English skills and teaching talents. Volunteers act as classroom assistants, aiding Brazilian English teachers and providing tutoring help to students who require it.  Volunteers can also get involved with the children through extra-curricular activities, such as sports, theater, and the arts.  Volunteers will have the opportunity to improve their teaching skills as well as get a feel for what teaching ESL is like.  For many impoverished children, English skills play an essential part in moving up the socio-economic ladder.

Orphanage Assistance
Orphans are deprived of many opportunities necessary for their development. Through education and compassion, children are empowered to challenge a life of further poverty and exploitation. Volunteers focus on educational training which consists primarily of English language classes. Volunteers' active participation in programs such as health education, games, drawing, and painting is encouraged. With such a variety of ways to participate, the orphanage experience provides volunteers many meaningful ways to approach service.

Environmental Conservation
Brazil is a country of amazing bio-diversity. Yet environmental degradation is a major threat to this unique and fragile place. Problems such as loss of bio-diversity, deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, over-fishing, and pollution are significant. Environmental conservation projects address these issues directly through community education and collaboration.

Wildlife Conservation
The loss of natural habitats along with human population growth has put increased pressure on wildlife in Brazil. One project in particular focuses on the study and protection of sea turtles that nest on the coast of the Northeastern region of Brazil. Another project allows volunteers to study and work with sea horses, a unique species that serves as an important part of the ecosystem.

Community Development
Volunteers will assist local communities in Brazil with projects that focus on community development. Activities may include home or school renovation or may involve efforts to support sustainable eco-tourism in rural areas. Families living in rubbish dumps and other impoverished communities are served through this important project.

Health Care and Health Education
Local community health clinics in Brazil serve a critical role on the front lines of health care. Here, doctors, nurses, and othe medical professionals focus not only on medicine, but on relationships. By building personal relationships with the families in the community served, these clinics can often identify health problems at an earlier stage.

Youth Soccer Coaching
Soccer is a way of life in Brazil. For impoverished children the sport serves as welcome escape from the struggles of daily life. For a volunteer with an interest in soccer and a desire to help the children of Brazil, soccer can be an important tool for encouraging and teaching children other important life lessons.

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