New Hope Volunteers

Since 1998, More than 18000 happy volunteers


Graffiti Project (Rio de Janeiro)

  • Be part of the thriving art scene in Rio, while being a positive force for the local youths
  • Work with local street artists and learn diverse art forms, styles and techniques in a cultural exchange
  • Live with a local family and immerse yourself in the Brazilian culture
  • Explore culturally-rich Rio De Janeiro and Brazil during your downtime

Do you have a passion in art? Do you want to be part of an experience that is filled with as much color as possible? Do you want to put your art skills to positive use? If you answered “yes!” to these questions, then this project is for you! Graffiti is legal in Rio de Janeiro, and it serves as an outlet for creative expressions and political activism. For youths living in favelas however, graffiti serves as an outlet to keep them focused and away from unwanted activities. New Hope partners up with a local organization of street artists who mentors these youths in the art form. Volunteer in Brazil, and participate in this project to motivate the local youths to take part in the art. Be a positive vehicle to engage the local youths, and discover the majesty of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

Volunteers’ Responsibilities

By volunteering in Brazil in the Graffiti project, you will be working with a team of local artists to mentor the youths of the favelas. Depending on your individual interests and skills, and on the needs of the local artists, your daily activities involve, but are not limited to:

  • Teach graffiti to the youths
  • Teach and learn various art form and techniques from the local artists
  • Share about the art scene in your country to the youths to broaden their minds
  • Be a positive mentor to the youths
  • Work with the local artists to reach out to the youths and the community
  • Be a friend to the youths and keep them off the wrong track

Volunteers are responsible for providing their own paint and any additional art supplies needed for the project.

How You Can Make a Difference

Growing up in the slums of the favelas, it is easy for the local youths to be wayward in their lifestyle. Learning any art provides them with a creative and positive outlet, but the opportunity to learn art is rare for them. This program is working with local street artists to help keep the youths off the wrong track and keep them focused through graffiti. Your presence will pique the interests of these youths, and motivate them to want to get involved in graffiti. As a volunteer in the Graffiti project, you will be a part of the thriving art scene in Brazil. You will work alongside local street artists and have the awe-inspiring opportunity to share varying art styles and techniques. Add some color to the lives of the youths, and take home the knowledge of other artistic styles.

Skills and Qualifications

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. There are no specific qualifications needed to volunteer in the Graffiti project, although a basic skill in art is preferred. Volunteers without any knowledge of the Portuguese language can still contribute effectively to the project. You should have a passion to teach and aspire to help your students. Volunteers should be good role models, flexible, patient, caring, creative, responsible and open-minded. Volunteers must also respect the locals and the host organizations, along with their rules and projects.

Project Location

Rio de Janerio is blessed with panoramic landscapes including the spectacular mountains and pristine beaches, but it's the energetic people and the pulsating culture that best epitomizes the city. Rio is also hosting the Soccer World Cup 2014 and the Summer Olympic games of 2016. In preparation of this, the city has seen vast improvement in communications facilities, transportation infrastructure, and even the crime rate has gone down substantially. Another phenomenon that Rio is very famous for is the Carnival, which draws over 2 million visitors to the city. During the festival, the streets come alive with incredible song, dance and merry-making! Our project takes place in Rocinha, the largest and one of the most developed favelas (shantytowns) in Brazil. Today, most of the houses in Rocinha have developed into an urbanized slum, with basic sanitation, plumbing and electricity in place. Facilities such as banks, pharmacies, bus lines and cable television in place.

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