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The South American country of Brazil is the world’s fifth biggest country. It is also the world’s fifth most inhabited country, with 202 million inhabitants. Brazil is an ethnically diverse country, home to people of a wide range of backgrounds who are descendants of Indians, Africans, Asians and Europeans. This makes Brazil a hugely intriguing country. Most of its inhabitants reside in coastal areas, which vary in terms of climate, music, traditions and colours.
This represents a fantastic opportunity for the volunteer to visit different parts of Brazil, including: the Amazon rainforest, which is still inhabited by tribes; the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (home to extensive sand dunes with crystal-clear lakes); beaches with transparent waters in the north, such as Praia de Pipa; vineyards in Rio Grande do Sul; and German-style cities such as Gramado and Canela, renowned for their fantastic pastries and mountainous landscapes.
With 90% of its territory situated in tropical regions, Brazil is characterized by its warm climate. However, temperatures can vary near the equator, where constant rainfall is common. Brazil’s vast size results in six distinct climatic regions: Equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, temperate, sub-tropical, and highland tropical.
Brazil spans four time zones: Brasília Time (UTC-3:00) – Central Brazil; Amazon Time (UTC-4:00) – Western Brazil; Fernando de Noronha Time (UTC-2:00) – Fernando de Noronha archipelago; Acre Time (UTC-5:00) – State of Acre.
Its official currency is the Brazilian real.
Florianópolis, also known as ‘Floripa’, Curitiba and São Paulo
The stay officially begins when the volunteer is picked up at the destination.
The meals included in the project/destination will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will not be included for journeys to the destination, excursions undertaken by volunteers, etc.
Volunteers must adhere to the designated pick-up times for each destination/project. Those arriving outside of the specified time frame may incur an additional cost, which varies depending on the destination.
This city is situated in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Florianópolis is a tranquil colonial city with easy navigation. While its own coastline doesn’t boast extensive beaches, you can access Santa Catarina Island via a bridge. Santa Catarina offers a wide variety of beaches, from serene ones perfect for diving to open-sea beaches favored by surfers. The island, dotted with fishing villages, is easily explored by bike or small buses that traverse its length and breadth. The climate is sub-tropical, with summer temperatures ranging from a maximum of 30°C to a minimum of 15°C and winter temperatures between a maximum of 25°C and a minimum of 8°C.
– Arvoredo Island, which offers great conditions for diving.
– Forte do Arvoredo and Bahia dos Golfinhos (Dolphin Bay): The former is a historical stronghold which once served to protect the island. In the latter, it is possible to catch sight of dolphins from the “baleiras”, which are small wooden fishing boats.
– Mercado Amarelo (Yellow Market): here, visitors can purchase a whole range of low-cost goods. You can find everything from food to clothes and hand-made goods.
The island’s main beaches: Lagoinha, Praia Brava, Praia Mole and Joaquina.
Curitiba is located in the state of Paraná. This cosmopolitan and innovative cities is one of Latin America’s most cutting-edge locations, at the same level as important capital cities such as Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Brasilia. It has a well developed public transport network, which makes it easy to get around the city. However, just like in all large cities, you should expect delays at rush hour due to traffic.
It has a sub-tropical climate, with a maximum temperature of 30°C and a minimum temperature of 15°C during summer months. In winter, the maximum temperature is 25°C and the minimum temperature is 8°C. Located close to Curitiba is Florianópolis, which has access to the beaches of Santa Catarina Island.
Its tourist attractions include: A variety of parks, museums and night-life options, including theatres, cinemas and bars.
The community volunteer program is located São Paulo. This city is located in south-east Brazil. It is South America’s largest city, and the sixth most inhabited city on the planet. This city is the result of a combination of cultures, which explains its broad ethnic diversity.
For international flights, visitors will arrive at either Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim/Galeão International Airport (GIG) or São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). From these airports, transportation to all of Brazil’s states is available. Visitors will be met at the designated arrival airport specified for each specific project:
Volunteers heading to programs in Florianópolis should arrange their own transportation to Hercílio Luz International Airport (airport code: FLN). If arriving on a Sunday, airport pick-up can be arranged, and volunteers will be transported to their accommodations.
Volunteers going to programs in Curitiba should make their way to Afonso Pena International Airport (airport code: CWB). An airport pick-up service is available on Sundays. For those participating in the wildlife conservation volunteer program in Curitiba, arrival must be on Mondays before 3:30 PM.
Volunteers joining programs in São Paulo must arrange their transportation to Congonhas International Airport (airport code: CGH). Arrival should be scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays between 9 AM and 5 PM. Please be aware that pick-ups are not provided from São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). If your flight lands at GRU, you will need to take a shuttle bus to Congonhas International Airport (CGH).
For volunteers working on programs in São Paulo, please note that if you arrive on a Saturday, an additional night’s accommodation cost will apply since the program weeks run from Sunday to Saturday.
The official language is Brazilian Portuguese. However, given that tourism is one of the country’s main sources of income, many people speak and understand Spanish. English is not widely spoken.
Given the sheer size of Brazil, you may need to take a domestic flight to get from one part of the country to another. There is also an extensive bus network, but it can take hours or even days to get from one destination to another.
In large cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Recife, Curitiba, etc., visitors can get around using extensive metro and bus networks. In smaller cities, people tend to move around by bus or by bike.
Brazilian food commonly includes ingredients such as cassava flour beijus, fruits, vegetables, fish, game, corn, potatoes and legumes, brought to the country with the arrival of African slaves. However, the gastronomy varies greatly from north to south.
“Churrasco”, which is a type of roast beef, is very typical in the south. In the centre and north, you’ll start to find a greater variety of tropical fruits. The most famous fruits are mangos, papayas, guavas, bananas, oranges, passion fruits, pineapples, sugar apples, cashew fruits and more. Given the huge variety of fruits, Brazil is a haven for juice lovers.
One typical and popular dish is the “feijoada”, which is a stew based on legumes and pork. The “farofa” (roasted cassava flour) is another typical food, which is served alongside many different meals and rice.
| Month | Holiday |
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 25–29 February | Carnival |
| 14 April
16 21 |
Holiday Friday
Easter Tiradentes |
| 1 May | Worker’s Day |
| 15 June | Corpus Christi |
| 7 September | Independence Day |
| 12 October | Patron Saint of Brazil |
| 2 November
15 |
Proclamation of the
Republic Day |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
The objective of the project is to train young people to become social leaders. Volunteers live in a multicultural environment, working collaboratively as a team to execute tasks or institutional projects. They provide support to beneficiaries in their daily lives or during workshops, and also assist in addressing the needs of centers and homes.
Social Inclusion of children, young people and grandparents in situations of social risk.
Focus on centers and homes dedicated to protecting and restoring the rights of socially vulnerable children, adolescents, and older adults.
Volunteers committed to the project will collaborate closely with the community, engaging various societal actors to ensure the complete realization of everyone’s rights.
The center operates personalized education and community-centered projects for disadvantaged teenagers. The objective of the program is to enable these young individuals to attain the qualifications necessary to enter the job market, thereby improving their access to higher education and enhancing their employment prospects.
Activities.
What to bring?
The Animal Rescue Centre is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of wild animals into their natural habitat. Their mission is to enhance the well-being of each animal throughout the rehabilitation process and facilitate their eventual release into the wild in Santa Catarina. The rescue center cares for various animals affected by human activity. For this program, the minimum stay requirement is 4 weeks.
Activities
(please note that tasks may vary based on the center’s current needs).
What to bring?
You must bring the following items:
* High SPF factor IMPORTANT
: Work hours: 9 AM to 12 PM, with one day off per week. The maximum number of volunteers at any given time is two.
Obligatory vaccinations
: Hepatitis A and B, tetanus, rabies pre-exposure vaccine (administered in three intramuscular vaccinations on days 0, 7, 21, and 28, one month before the departure date).
Arrival: Volunteers should plan to arrive on a Sunday.
In this program, support is offered to children who are under state custody due to situations of domestic violence in their homes. The Child Care Center provides a secure environment for these children and addresses their fundamental day-to-day needs.
There are two separate centers where children are accommodated: one for babies and another for children between the ages of two and twelve. In these centers, they receive shelter, meals, education, and comprehensive care from doctors, psychologists, speech therapists, dentists, educational psychologists, and dedicated volunteers.
Activities include
– Childcare
– Engaging in recreational activities, games, crafts, and artistic workshops such as painting, threater, and dance.
– Assisting with homework
– Teaching basic English
What to bring?
– Comfortable pants and shirts for work. Shorts or skirts are not allowed inside the center.
– Clothes suitable for humid weather.
– Boots or comfortable sports shoes for winter stays.
– Sandals or comfortable sports shoes for summer stays.
– Long-sleeved shirts and coats for cold weather, regardless of the season.
– Bath towel and personal hygiene kit.
In this program, English classes will be provided to local children. English is one of the most widely used languages for global communication, and by teaching it, we offer these children valuable skills that can open doors to future opportunities.
In Brazil, public schools offer limited English classes, so private language schools provide additional options for those eager to learn.
As an assistant English teacher, your role will involve teaching basic English to children through enjoyable activities like songs, group games, and classroom exercises. Therefore, it’s essential to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency to effectively assist in teaching. Additionally, patience is a must when interacting with young and intellectually developing students, and being open to cultural differences is important.
A typical day includes an early morning breakfast, followed by three hours of teaching. There’s a one-and-a-half-hour break for lunch, and then a few more hours of work, either in the afternoon or evening. You’re encouraged to bring your own teaching resources, such as books, traditional school supplies, comics, or even electronic devices.
LOCATION: São Paulo.
In this diverse program, you will contribute to the betterment of underprivileged children and villagers in São Paulo by engaging in various tasks. Our program offers you the opportunity to assist disadvantaged local families in enhancing their quality of life. The tasks can range from house renovations, teaching English to children at a community center, to participating in community clean-up efforts. You may also have the chance to prepare nutritious meals for families in the community. This program allows you to make a meaningful impact on these families’ lives. Typically, children attend school for only half a day. After their classes conclude, you can provide English lessons at the community center. Get creative and teach them an English song or engage in fun games. Brazilian children have a passion for sports, so if you also enjoy physical activities, they would be thrilled to teach you one of their games or even play a football match with you.
LOCATION: São Paulo
The primary goal of the Wildlife Conservation Centre is to advocate for environmental conservation across all domains, encompassing both flora and fauna. Its activities are dedicated to enhancing environmental preservation, with the aim of ensuring an improved quality of life for future generations. This includes conserving biodiversity, advocating for the sustainable utilization of natural resources, and contributing to the protection of endangered species. The center is actively engaged in safeguarding and preserving various categories of animals, which encompass birds, reptiles, and mammals. With over 320 acres of land at its disposal, the center employs a rational approach to fulfill its mission. This expansive space is crucial for the breeding and preservation of Brazilian species.
Activities.
Please note: The mentioned activities will not be carried out daily; their occurrence will depend on the specific needs of the project. The work routine will be determined and coordinated in line with project requirements and will adhere to the guidance of the technical team.
What to bring?
You must bring the following items:
* High SPF factor
Arrival: Volunteers must arrive on Monday before 3:30 PM.
The aim of this volunteering program is to empower all beneficiaries by helping them discover their role in society and understand the significance of education. The support and encouragement provided by volunteers can be transformative for many children, ultimately contributing to the creation of a future where equal opportunities are accessible to all. The program is designed for children and adolescents aged between 6 and 12 years old.
Activities.
Volunteers will be required to perform various tasks, and these assignments are subject to change. In general, volunteers will be tasked with:
What to bring?
IMPORTANT
: Volunteers will not be under strict supervision during their participation in the program. It is expected that volunteers will take the initiative and suggest their own activities to engage with the children. Please be aware that the Brazilian lifestyle and atmosphere may differ significantly from that of your home country.
PLEASE NOTE
: Volunteers are welcome to bring their own materials, including pre-planned activities, games, paint, English-language books, educational toys, and any type of drawing or painting books, etc.
Drinks aren’t included on any of the programs. This cost must be assumed by the volunteer.
Wildlife conservation volunteer program:
Accommodation: volunteers will stay in a bungalow with other participants. This has a private bathroom and a communal kitchen, TV room/lounge area and dining room.
The Brazilian host families are welcoming, attentive and protective.
Volunteers who stay with a Brazilian host family will only be given breakfast and dinner. Brazilians usually have a light lunch, such as bread and butter or cheese and a drink (usually coffee, milk, hot chocolate or orange juice).
Brazilian families usually eat dinner at around 8 PM. Some families eat as much for dinner as they do for lunch. However, others only have something light for dinner, such as a sandwich or some soup.
Teaching volunteer program – Community centre volunteer program – Childcare volunteer program
Volunteers will stay in the house of a Brazilian host family. This will allow the volunteers to experience a true cultural immersion. It also represents a good opportunity for volunteers who are looking to improve their level of Portuguese. The accommodation has a washing machine and hot running water. Wi-Fi internet connection is not available at the accommodation.
Volunteers will stay with a Brazilian host family. This will allow the volunteers to experience a true cultural immersion. It also represents a good opportunity for volunteers who are looking to improve their level of Portuguese. The house has a washing machine, hot running water and Wi-Fi internet connection.
The Brazilian host families are welcoming, attentive and protective.
Volunteers who stay with a Brazilian host family will only be given breakfast and dinner. Brazilians usually have a light lunch, such as bread and butter or cheese and a drink (usually coffee, milk, hot chocolate or orange juice).
Brazilian families usually eat dinner at around 8 PM. Some families eat as much for dinner as they do for lunch. However, others only have something light for dinner, such as a sandwich or some soup.
When volunteers arrive at the airport, the local coordinator will pick them up and transport them to their accommodation, where they will spend the initial days with their fellow volunteers.
At the accommodation, volunteers will receive three meals a day from Monday to Friday and two meals a day on Saturday and Sunday.
The volunteer houses feature several 4-8 person bedrooms, each separated by gender. Additionally, there are shared bathroom facilities and various communal areas that are used by all residents.
Upon arrival and settling in at the destination, a welcome meeting will be conducted with the local coordinators and staff. During this meeting, volunteers will receive information about the local area, standard schedules, rules, and details about the program they will be participating in.
Volunteers can expect to enjoy typical Brazilian cuisine, which includes a variety of rice-based dishes, potatoes, beans, spaghetti, various meats, sandwiches, and vegetables.
Water, coffee, and tea are readily available throughout the day.
The total cost of the volunteer program is split into two parts: a registration fee of €210 to secure your spot, and a program cost, which is paid later in American dollars. Below is a breakdown of the program fee for each project.
$700 for 2 weeks
$170 for each additional week thereafter
$700 for 2 weeks
$170 for each additional week thereafter
$700 for 2 weeks
$170 for each additional week thereafter
$1285 for 2 weeks
$360 for each additional week thereafter
$995 for 2 weeks
$175 for each additional week thereafter
€350 for 1 week
€350 for each additional week thereafter
315 € 1 week
315 € additional week
If your currency is not specified in the table, you can convert your costs here.
Flights, travel insurance (obligatory), return to the airport and other personal expenses.
(*** Volunteers in Brazil will generally find that €50 (approx. 56 USD) is enough to cover basic weekly expenses.)
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Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?
At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…
The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.
If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.
And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.
You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.
If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality.
Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.
It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity.
Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.
Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.
We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.
We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.
The advantages of corporate volunteering include:
The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.
If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members.
Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.
Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.
Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.
There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.
Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.
An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.
And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.
Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.
We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.
It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.
Some of the benefits include:
Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after.
A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.
When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.
Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.
Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.
At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…
And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.
If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.