Volunteering in Rio de Janeiro

In Rio de Janeiro alone are many possibilities to volunteer. Residents of Rio de Janeiro are known as ‘Cariocas’ and are renowned for their love of the beach, parties and, of course, football!

Volunteers will be based in a favela (an urban shanty town) in Rio de Janeiro and can either work with youths, helping paint the community centre, teaching English or advising on special projects.

Teaching English will help young people in the favelas to be able to work in the tourism industry as it enables them to communicate with the increasing number of tourists visiting Rio de Janeiro. Volunteers may be teaching in a classroom, in a community centre or at the beach. No previous teaching experience required.

Early Childhood Education will help the smallest members of the favelas through local programs teaching them different things in a child friendly way.

There are few nations in the world as passionate about football (futebol) as the Brazilians. With a record 5 World Cup victories and having been host to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, every Brazilian lives You’ll be helping and organising and working up a sweat with the most motivated kids in the world!

Do you paint? Take photos? Dance like a dervish? In the volunteer’s art program you can do all these things plus whatever else you may want to share. This program brings the magic of art to the favelas of Rio and you will be involved in providing artistic programs of all kinds. Volunteers in this program will work with kids to fire their imaginations and get the creative juices flowing.

The beaches of Rio de Janeiro are legendary. Now you can have an excuse to hang out all day as you help the kids of Rio’s favelas learn the art/sport of surfing. You’ll be there to make sure they are safe and stoked as they tackle the waves of Rio’s gorgeous coast.

Got rhythm? Bring your boogie to the favelas of Rio and help kids learn to play music. You’ll be living in the land of samba and bossa nova and you’ll have the chance to teach and inspire a new generation of music fans. Brazilians are passionate about music so you’ll be welcomed with open arms and ears.

Capoiera is a Brazilian martial art that comprises elements of dance, acrobatics and music. You can be involved in helping some of Rio’s most disadvantaged children learn this free-flowing activity – and learn what the locals have to share!

If you want to volunteer with GVN (Global Volunteer Network) you will have to fill out an application to see if they have a place for you. Then if your application is successful you will be accepted and they will then get to work organizing your placement.

GVN is a registered Charitable Trust, so volunteers finance themselves, or can fundraise online with our unique GVN platform, with US donors receiving tax receipts. The Program Package provides you with all that is listed below, along with personalized support from our expert staff and the knowledge that you’ll be working with a reputable and registered charity with over 12 years experience in the field.