Work with underprivileged children and have one of the most satisfying experiences in your life! Brazil is recording impressive economic growth, with rapid developments in many areas of the country. The favelas of Rio are slums spreading over the mountainous terrains. Disadvantaged communities reside in favelas, and before, they were a no-go area. However, in recent years the crime rate is experiencing a decline, and the areas are beginning to receive development projects. Favelas still need a lot of assistance, especially in childcare services. Volunteer in Brazil in the favelas, and help local organizations provide better care, attention and facilities to the children. Work with children from low-income families and motivate them to work towards a bigger future. While helping to cast a better future in the lives of the children, you’ll be able learn Portuguese while absorbing the vibrant Brazilian culture!

As a volunteer in the Daycare Project in the favelas of Rio, you will be working 4 to 5 hours per day, from Monday to Friday. Depending on the each individual skill and interest, and the needs of the local teachers and staff, your daily activities may include:

• Teaching basic English, Math, Science, Health, and other subjects
• Provide care, love and attention to children
• Providing daily care to the children such as preparing meals and watching over them
• Educating on personal hygiene, and safety rules and precautions
• Teaching essential life skills to the children such as gardening, painting, building, sewing, business skills, etc.
• Developing stimulating new ideas to interest the children to learn
• Organizing and leading extracurricular activities such as games, sports, art, music, dancing, story-telling, drama lessons, etc.
• Assisting the local staff with administrative duties, promoting fundraising activities, and helping to plan events and excursions for the children
• Assisting underprivileged families 

By volunteering in Brazil, you will be giving love, care, attention and education to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In the favela slums, it is common for girls to get pregnant at a very young age. These young mothers are unable to give their children the support and guidance they need in order to grow up confident and healthy. The daycare centers are working to rectify this issue by providing the essential care and services so that these deprived children can develop well. The daycare center can only afford to hire few skilled staff, and the workload for each staff is heavy. They need all the help they can get, and your assistance will help to relieve some duties of the regular staff. As you interact with the children and provide them guidance, you’ll play a part in helping the children realize their full potential. Healthy, happy, and inspired children will be motivated to work towards a brighter and better future.

There are no specific qualifications needed to volunteer in the daycare program in Brazil. However, volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient, as well as have much passion and love for children. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and they must respect the rules and regulations of the center, be resourceful, and must not hesitate to become involved in different activities.

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 early 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! The project is located in Complex do Alemao favela in northern Rio. The favela has over 18 thousand homes, and over 65 thousand people live there. An attraction is the gondola that takes the local residents and tourists to the top of the favela for the most stunning view of the city of Rio.