Challenging Care Work with Disabled Children & Adults in Brazil with Travellers Worldwide

  Brazil

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: Available all year round

Description: Want to gain experience in care, or simply to challenge yourself in a friendly environment where your assistance is really needed? This is a challenging and rewarding project, where you'll be helping children and adults with mental, physical and emotional disabilities.

Nosso Canto is a school for disabled people from all walks of life. The centre's philosophy is that all disabled people have the right to receive the care they need - even those who can't afford expensive care homes. Most of the students here come from very underprivileged backgrounds.

Students of all ages come to the centre - from babies to adults. Most suffer from mental disorders like Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism or Hydrocephaly. The aim of the centre is to help these people study, develop life skills, relax and enjoy themselves.

Nosso Canto is a reasonably small institution with a bubbly and friendly staff who are in desperate need of help in caring for the students here. The centre is funded almost entirely by donations, which makes it much harder to find employees as they can only offer them a low wage. Your work here will be enormously valued and appreciated by both the staff and the students.

As the centre deals with a large variety of ailments and has many 'areas', you will need to be extremely flexible in the work that you do. Some of the activities you may be involved in include:
--> Playing with the younger children
--> Helping with arts and crafts or other activities
--> Getting involved in sports or music
--> Acting as a 1-1 assistant to someone at the centre - helping them move around and participate in activities
--> Helping clients eat or go to the toilet
--> Helping clients with their physical mobility exercises
--> Teaching English to the staff

The centre opens from 8am-12 and then again from 1:30pm-5:30pm from Monday-Friday. There are 150 people at the centre, from babies to adults, and you'll most likely be working with a wide range of ages during your project. You'll usually work around 4 hours a day and take either the morning or afternoon shift. You'll have evenings and weekends free to relax and explore beautiful Foz with the other volunteers! The most important qualifications for this placement are that you're self motivated, confident working both alone and in a team and have a friendly disposition.

Snuggled in the border of Brazil, on the doorstep of Argentina and Paraguay, Foz de Iguacu is a charming sociable town evolved around the spectacular Iguacu Falls (larger, louder and more impressive than the better known Niagara Falls). At two and a half miles wide these horseshoe-shaped falls are four times the width of Niagara Falls in North America. The falls divide into some 275 separate cascading waterfalls catching the light and creating a kaleidoscope of rainbows in their spray.

With residents and students from Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina this is an international and interesting town. With bars, restaurants, cinemas, bowling and dancing, not to mention to the warmth and interest of the locals and the incredible natural scenery nearby, Foz promises to be an enjoyable and unforgettable Brazilian experience.

Why not combine your volunteering in Foz with a cultural experience whilst you're there? Travellers can arrange the following for your free time, at your request:
--> Learn, practice and play the beautiful fight/dance/art of Capoeira
--> Music courses (a variety of local percussion/styles for you to choose from)
--> Study Portuguese - immerse yourself in the language and you will be amazed at the effects it brings!

Most volunteers in Foz, extend their stay!

Our Users Say...
"I've been so busy! Everything is going really well in Foz, I feel like I´ve settled in really well! Brazil as a country is absolutely beautiful! And I'm already in love with all the people - everyone has been so friendly!

I think Foz, for me is the perfect place for my Gap year- and the location of our hotel is great- we do have the internet in our hotel but I've been tending to use an Internet cafe which is just down the road. There are loads of restaurants just round the corner where me and the other volunteers have been eating at nearly every night- also the McDonalds is 2 minutes away for emergencies!

Everywhere is great value for money - me and Ursula (another volunteer) ate out last night on under 3 pounds for both of us!! We've been to see the falls and they were absolutely beautiful. Just them alone made this trip worth it! Anyway, hope I have been helpful! I'm having a really good time, and I don't want to leave! So glad I've still got 9 weeks left! Love Hannah xxxx" Hannah Webster - Foz volunteer.

Highlights:
Support and Guidance from Travellers and the Creches:

You'll receive lots of care and assistance from our very friendly and helpful UK staff, from the first stage of applying all the way through to the end of your placement. We are also available 24 hours a day for any urgent matter during your time on our placement.

Travellers will send you our extremely comprehensive information pack with details on everything - ranging from where to go on your weekend travels to what to pack and extensive safety tips. We will also provide you with a selection of coaching manuals that will be very useful on your project.

In Brazil you will have the support of our Brazil Manager who will be on call 24/7 from meeting you at the airport and will be around frequently to ensure you are settled and happy on your placement. You will also find that the teachers at the crèches where you work will be very happy to help you throughout your days.

If you speak some Portuguese (or even Spanish), you will find it very beneficial on this project. But don't be put off if languages aren't your thing! You're sure to pick up some of the basic words whilst you are there, and will find other ways to converse without language becoming a barrier. Don't forget that we can also arrange some Portuguese Lessons for you during your programme in either Rio or Foz, if you would like.
   
Accommodation for all projects based in Foz do Iguacu:

You'll stay in a very comfortable hotel located in the very centre of Foz, close to shopping, restaurants, nightlife and good transport links to take you to your placement and back again. Facilities at the hotel include; TV lounge, Internet access, swimming pool, kitchen facilities, central location. Bathrooms are shared. You'll more than likely share a room with another Travellers volunteer.

Past volunteers in Brazil have found that one of the highlights of living in the culture is eating out locally in the evenings. Therefore, to enable you to sample the endless variety of Brazilian dishes while you're there, we've limited this project to breakfast only, which will be served at the hotel.

Meals in local restaurants are very inexpensive and you'll dine out handsomely on about 3.50 GBP (5 USD), although you could spend only 2.50 GBP (3 USD) a day and still be eating well (prices are correct at time of writing). In Foz, there are many restaurants catering for every taste, from fast food, to traditional BBQ's, steak houses and pizzerias! A must see during your stay is the buffet, dance and musical show at Hotel Rafain - a performance of traditional dances and music from 5 South American countries, with excellent food and a great atmosphere!

The staff at the hotel are exceptionally helpful and friendly and are excellent sources of information about the region and where to go and what to see.

Qualifications: If you have qualifications, that's great - you'll be able to help the carers and nurses with the therapies at the centre. If not, that's fine too any help that you can give is very welcome. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length. Starts from 1,195 USD

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: yes

No experience is required only a good dose of enthusiasm and motivation to help others.

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who want to improve their knowledge and skills in their field, learn about a new culture, boost their resume to kick-start their career, and who also want to have a structured placement at the same time as having an exciting travel experience. Patience, adaptability and initiave definitely an advantage.

Age Range: No experience is required only a good dose of enthusiasm and motivation to help others.

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Brazil Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995