The Orphanage is a place for young children who have been taken into custody due to domestic violence. The house provides them a safe environment while covering their basic everyday needs until they are ready for adoption or to return to their biological parents. It operates solemnly on donations and volunteers who are willing to donate their time and love to take care of these children.

Our Partner Organization

The Orphanage was created in 1996 to house children removed from the custody of their parents by the Brazilian Guardianship, due to complaints of abuse and violence. These children remain in the institution for their safety while waiting to return to their biological family or until adoption.

The project currently operates two separate houses. One of them houses around 13 babies and the other one gives shelter to over 10 kids from 2 to 12 years old. They try to fulfill all the children’s needs; providing shelter, food and education, while also exposing them to assistance from doctors, psychologists, speech therapists, dentists, psycho pedagogues and volunteers who are willing to donate their love.

The care house operates through monetary donations and contributions of products and services. The organization also raises funds through a monthly bazaar. The COMTIBA (Municipal Council of Children and Adolescents) also provides a monthly aid, which covers part of their expenses. The Association Chairman is responsible for all the administrative work, counting with the support of a board of four members; all of which are unpaid volunteers. Three employees and one driver carry out the children’s daily care. A social worker monitors the children and their biological families, then keeps the Court of Childhood informed through their reports. All these employees are paid and registered.

What are Volunteers needed for?

The demand each day will vary according to the needs of the children in the project. However, typically volunteers are needed to:

• Babysit
• Promote recreational activities, such as playing with toys, promoting handicraft and art workshops (painting, theater, dance)
• Tutor/help with homework
• Teach basic skills of English

Volunteers are welcome to propose different activities according to their abilities.

Schedule

Volunteers are required to work for a minimum 20 hours/week. The participants can volunteer during the morning or afternoon. During the morning children above 5 years old are in school, some may even have sports activities after lunch sponsored by partner schools.

Extra Note

If you are interested in and eager to bring any items to the children, here are some ideas that would be useful:

• Any toys (dolls, little cars, educational toys, etc)
• Colored pens, crayons and water paints
• Second hand clothing (both for children and adults, which can be sold at the bazaar)
• Any painting or drawing books.

What should volunteers expect?

• A rewarding experience
• The opportunity to bring happiness to needy children by simply giving them attention
• The chance to make a volunteer contribution, earn references and certificate
• Opportunity to face a reality tourists do not see
• The chance to experience the Brazilian culture while living with a host family.

What volunteers should NOT expect?

You should not expect close supervision while participating in the project. Volunteers are expected to be proactive and suggest activities to interact the children. Bear in mind, the working environment and style in Brazil may differ a lot from the one in your home country.

What to Bring

The following items are essential:

• Comfortable trousers
• Wet Weather Clothing
• Comfortable boots or tennis shoes for winter enrollments
• Comfortable sandals or tennis shoes for summer enrollments
• Long Sleeved Shirts and coats for cold weather, regardless the season
• Bath towel and all your personal hygiene items

Brazilian Experience organizes home stay placements. This type of accommodation allows students to have a deep cultural immersion. It´s also a great option for those willing to improve Portuguese skills.

Brazilian host families are open, nice and protective. Our families are carefully selected through an interview and house inspection.

The home stay placement includes breakfast and dinner only. Brazilians have a quite light breakfast such as bread, butter or cheese and a beverage such as coffee, milk chocolate, orange juice.

The main meal in Brazil is lunch but nowadays few families go home for lunch in between working hours on week days. On weekends it´s common to have late lunches on Sundays, sometimes they make barbecues with all the family (cousins, grandpas, etc).

Sometimes the family’s get together hour is at dinner time (quite late, usually after 8:00 pm). Some families have a rich meal at dinner, as lunch, and in other cases they just have a snack, being a sandwich or soup.

Accommodation includes one night before the start of the internship program date and includes one night after the end of the program.

Who should apply?

• Personality: students should be mature, responsible, flexible and adaptable
• At least 18 years-old
• Minimum commitment: 2 weeks
• Compassion and genuine interest in helping
• Language skills: no previous knowledge of Portuguese is required, but reasonable English and/or Spanish knowledge is necessary. Portuguese is a plus and will allow you to get more tasks during your placement.

Necessary documents to apply

• Complete online application form
• Resume
• One picture of yourself
• Copy of your passport identification page

Note: The maximum number of volunteers the organization accepts is 2 per period. (Note: that we do not know if positions are available until you apply.)

What is included?

• Pre-arrival orientation;
• Airport pickup and transfer;
• Volunteer placement;
• Selection of suitable homestay accommodation, breakfast and dinner included;
• Donation to the project;
• Full-time support from Brazilian Experience.

What is not included

• Airline tickets
• Domestic flights and weekend trips
• Visa fee, if applicable
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses

Best deal – 6 weeks Standard program (2 weeks Portuguese + 4 weeks volunteering): U$ 2285

Minimum enrollment length (2 weeks volunteering): U$ 930

Extra week volunteering: U$ 230

Portuguese tuition fee (10-15 hours/week depending on group size): U$ 355

If you fulfill the program requirements and agree with the suggested dates and fees, you are ready to apply! Check below the necessary steps to confirm your application:

Step 1 – Complete online application form and attach: your resume, one picture of yourself and a copy of your passport identification page

Step 2 – We will confirm the project availability

Step 3 – Pay $150 non refundable deposit

Step 4 – Submit your visa documents to the nearest Brazilian consulate and book your flight

Step 5 – Upon payment we will start the home stay match

Step 6 – We will send your complete placement details

Step 7 – Pay program balance