Brazil

Background

Brazil is South America's most influential country, an economic giant and one of the world's biggest democracies. Its natural resources are highly prized by major manufacturing nations. It has a rich and diverse culture and is revered for its football prowess.

But there is a wide gap between rich and poor. Much of the land is controlled by a handful of wealthy families. Social conditions can be harsh in the big cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, where a third of the population lives in favelas or slums.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Living Learning Together Programme provides educational opportunities for the most disadvantaged families in the Santa Teresa district of Rio de Janeiro. The volunteer will teach conversational English to students of all ages and participate in the varied community projects at the centre

The Development for All Programme helps to improve the living conditions of rural communities in North East Brazil. The work includes building decent housing, water projects, formation of community associations, primary health care, pastoral ministries, rural women's projects, agricultural projects and training courses for rural leadership. Volunteer participate in some of these projects while teaching conversational English in rural schools.

We work in partnership with Volunteer-in-Brazil. For further details of the projects or for shorter periods than one year see www.volunteer-brazil.co.uk