The Childcare Program
Brazil has suffered from the pandemic and we are unable to place international volunteers on our programs in Rio right now. Sign up now for 2022 and we'll work with you every step of the way and provide complete flexibility with dates!
This amazing project’s aim is to help those who are actively seeking to help themselves escape their life of poverty. It serves a real need by offering free care for children in a nurturing and safe environment while their parents work or study to create a better life for their families. Rocinha and Pavãozinho favelas have an exceptionally high rate of young mothers, and this program offers these young women the chance to finish their education and ultimately offer their children a more stable upbringing. In other families it allows both parents to join the workforce and receive the benefits of two incomes providing for their family.
The program places caring international volunteers in the unique position of working directly with children and their families to tangibly help them achieve their goals. By earning more money and achieving higher education, residents of the Rocinha and Pavãozinho favelas can give their children a safer life.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide free child care for children under five years old to the families of Rocinha and Pavãozinho favela – some of Rio’s largest shanty towns
- Improve the future prospects of families by allowing parents to work or study to provide a better future for their families and break the poverty cycle
- Supply a quality, caring programme to the city’s poorest children, creating a solid foundation for their future education and wellbeing
- Supply basic needs to the most disadvantaged children in society to help them lead safer, healthier lives
How You Can Help
Every volunteer brings their own skills, abilities and knowledge to this essential child care project. From imparting new activities, learning options or simply their loving, nurturing nature, volunteers on this program make a real impact on the lives of the program’s children. Children learn from the volunteers more than just play and curriculum, they learn about different cultures and languages, and about humanity.
This is a heart-warming project for those with a caring nature who wish to help the youngest, most disadvantaged members in the community. Volunteers who are flexible and keen to participate in a diverse range of child care activities will thrive under this program. They will spend time playing, nurturing, helping with meals and naps, tutoring, and providing general classroom assistance.
Volunteers can expect to:
- Teach children in a day care environment
- Help with meals, naps, and play-time activities
- Design and implement new activities for children
- Network with local school staff and partner agencies
- By joining this project, volunteers also contribute towards basic child needs (included in program fees)
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to assist in the development of Brazil's next generation. While this highly rewarding project does not require participants to have a background in the field of childcare, as there are many ways you can assist, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after. Regardless, a volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests. Volunteers on this project will need an understanding of Spanish in order to communicate effectively with the children and local staff members. All applicants must of course display a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
Project Location
This program is located in the favela (shanty town) communities of Rocinha and Pavãozinho - in the southern part of this sprawling city. Rio is Brazil’s second most populous city after Sao Paulo and is symbolized by the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer which stands atop Sugarloaf Mountain and watches over all of Rio. World renowned for its eponymous carnival, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and of course the 2016 Olympics, Rio has something to offer every traveler. This is an amazing location for volunteers to not only give back to the local communities but to have a truly memorable experience!
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon your arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be collected at the airport and delivered to your accommodation. On Monday morning you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers (if you haven't already!). A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. They will also help you with purchasing a local sim phone card if required. Local maps and a transport guide are provided free of charge by the hostel. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have!
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (aka Galeão International Airport), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Code: GIG)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers on this project are accommodated at one of Rio de Janeiro’s top youth hostels - the CabanaCopa Hostel - which is perfectly located in the safe and popular area of Copacabana next to a beautiful nature park just three blocks from the famous Copacabana Beach and within convenient access to metro stations, restaurants and the many attractions of this vibrant city. Volunteers will stay in shared dormitory-style rooms of various sizes, with shared bathroom facilities. Hostel amenities include (but are not limited to): bed linens, breakfast, drinkable water, hot water, luggage storage, maps/tourist information, high-speed internet, 24hr security and Check-in, A/C in rooms (or ceiling fans), big individual lockers, multilingual staff, towels, other entertainment options such as TV rooms. Several awesome communal areas are provided for guests to hang out, catch up with the many fellow travellers, or to simply relax!
All standard amenities are available in the hostel, including hot showers and modern bathrooms, air conditioning/ceiling fans, microwave, bed linen and free drinking water. There is even free Wi-Fi, an onsite bar and a pool table! Private double rooms w/ensuite are available on request for an additional fee and external laundry services are available nearby. The hostel is well managed and meticulously clean, is a perfect home away from home and a wonderful base for your stay in Rio!
Volunteers are provided with a traditional Brazilian breakfast every day at the hostel (included in the program fee). They then have the opportunity to use other meals times to experience the amazing culture and cuisine that Rio has to offer. Simply get a few of your fellow hostel mates together and head out to one of the many local restaurants, bars or cafes and enjoy all the local and international delicacies on offer! Easy!
Fees
That’s just USD 63 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
Prefer a private room?
Private rooms can be arranged at the hostel for an additional charge of approximately US$45 per night (dependent on availability. Price confirmed at time of booking).
Need extra nights at the hostel?
The listed program fee above covers your accommodation from Sunday to Saturday each week of your program, but for those who wish to stay on in Rio after the completion of their volunteering program (to explore or to simply wait for a more convenient departing flight time), extra nights at the hostel can be arranged for US$25 per night. Simply let us know and we will book this for you (additional accommodation fees to be paid directly to the local team on arrival into Rio).
Arranging your own accommodation?
If you would prefer to arrange your own accommodation the program fee will be adjusted accordingly.
1 week: US$195
2 weeks: US$245
+ US$75 for each additional week.