Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon, samba, Bossa Nova, Carnival…Brazil is famous for it's spicy culture, booming economy, and world class  beaches as far as the eye can see! It's the 5th largest country in the world, boasting some of the most diverse culture and ecology on Earth and one of the 10 largest economies.
Brazil has it all: Just a half-day’s journey from modern Rio de Janeiro places you in the heart of Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest. With  over 55,000 plant species, 524 different species of mammals, and over 1600 species of birds, it is considered to have the greatest biodiversity in the world! This rapidly disappearing ecosystem is on the list of biodiversity hotspots and is estimated to be about 1/10 of what it was before settlers moved into the region. Many efforts are being made to save the indigenous wildlife and environment.
ELI places volunteers and interns in Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba to the south. Portuguese is helpful, but not a requirement. If you can keep up, Brazil is waiting!
|
|
|
|
|
Wildlife Sanctuary- Curitiba:
Just outside Curitiba lies a 183 acre property devoted to Brazilian wildlife, flora and fauna. The organization that runs this property has painstakingly replaced non-native plants with indigenous species over the last 15 years, and now the sanctuary is home to parrots of all colors, tortoises, tapirs, bush dogs, ocelots, pumas, jaguars, spider monkeys, etc. Some of the animals were the victims of abuse or found injured, but many of the valuable animals were rescued from the illegal pet trade. For that reason, the park is closed to the general public and the entrance is not marked. ELI volunteers help with feeding and cleaning enclosures, breeding programs, planting, monitoring behavior, and assisting the full-time biologist, visiting researchers, and permanent staff as needed.
Environmental Conservation - Rio de Janeiro:
ELI volunteers work with one of the most visited National Parks in Brazil! It has just completed 49 years of commitment to preserve a large green area in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The park contributes, among other things, to maintain the temperature, water supply, and the exuberant and verdant mountainous silhouette that makes Rio de Janeiro a world class destination. The Park is full of diverse flora and fauna, waterfalls and caves, and is the home to many buildings of great historical value. ELI volunteers assist with tree planting, endangered flora and fauna surveys, weed control, habitat restoration, conservation fencing, heritage restoration, reintegration of species, guided visits, construction and maintenance of trails, and teaching English to the park staff. Accommodations are provided with a homestay family in Rio de Janeiro.
*Participants with both of these placements will need to get a Brazilian tourist visa. We recommend starting the visa application process 4-6 weeks before your arrival in Brazil.
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Family School - Rio de Janeiro:
The Family School works tirelessly to create opportunities and provide support to children and their families who are recovering from health issues. They offer health education classes, artistic classes, capacity building classes and workshops, and psychosocial and educational support for children and their families to ensure their healthy recovery. The objective is to avoid re-hospitalization. Volunteers teach and assist with a wide variety of classes: Handcrafts, recycling, painting, drawing, dance, music, theater, computer skills and English. Volunteers also assist with topical workshops, usually focused on STD prevention, hygiene, nutrition, and gastronomy. This is a lively, fun placement for volunteers who enjoying working with both kids and adults, enjoys the arts, or has interest in public health. This placement includes accommodations with a homestay family.
*Participants with the Family School will need to get a Brazilian tourist visa. We recommend starting the visa application process 4-6 weeks before your arrival in Brazil.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Training and Activities Center - Rio de Janeiro:
Founded in 1984, this Brazilian nonprofit organization operates on behalf of children and adolescents at social risk, ages 6 to 18 years old. The association is maintained through cooperative arrangements with national and international, corporate donors and civil society. The project works in a preventive way- its performance is focused on community work and offers educational activities such as art, music, sports and recreation for children and adolescents coming from poor communities and neighborhoods near the center. Because the schools are overrun, kids only attend classes either in the morning or the afternoon. Free classes are offered at the community center to keep the kids off the streets. Currently, the organization teaches over 400 children at some point during the week, and there are long waitlists for all of the classes. Volunteers are needed to coach sports, teach music and dance, tutor English students, help with gardening, and assist in the computer lab. There are a few capacity building classes available for adult training as well. This placement includes accommodations with a homestay family in Rio, and the center is along the train route.
*Participants with this placement will need to get a Brazilian tourist visa. We recommend starting the visa application process 4-6 weeks before your arrival in Brazil.
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Curitibia - Length of Program |
Volunteer
Program Fee -
Includes Homestay |
Wildlife Project -
Includes Shared Apartment |
Portuguese Classes and Homestay
Only |
| 2 Weeks |
US$1130 |
US$1340 |
US$1520 |
| 4 Weeks |
US$1430 |
US$1900 |
US$2240 |
| 6 Weeks |
US$1730 |
US$2460 |
US$2960 |
| 8 Weeks |
US$2030 |
US$3020 |
US$3680 |
| 10 Weeks |
US$2330 |
US$3520 |
US$4400 |
| 12 Weeks |
US$2630 |
US$4080 |
US$5120 |
Rio de Janeiro and Florianopolis - Length of Program
|
Volunteer
Program Fee -
Includes Homestay |
Portuguese Classes and Homestay
Only |
| 2 Weeks |
US$1310 |
US$1520 |
| 4 Weeks |
US$1640 |
US$2240 |
| 6 Weeks |
US$1970 |
US$2960 |
| 8 Weeks |
US$2300 |
US$3680 |
| 10 Weeks |
US$2630 |
US$4400 |
| 12 Weeks |
US$2960 |
US$5120 |
6 Week Standard Program -
Includes 2 Weeks of Portuguese Classes and 4 Weeks of Volunteer Program |
Program Fee - Includes Homestay |
| Curitiba |
US$2190 |
| Rio de Janeiro |
US$2120 |
| Florianopolis |
US$2300 |
Application Fee: $200·
(refundable only·if·we are unable to find a placement that·matches your request)
Please note that internships have been put on hold due to new Brazilian internship visa restrictions.
Program Includes:
* Pre-departure information
* Airport Pick-up
* In-Country Orientation
* Placement
* Accommodation
* Most or all meals (depending on program)
* 24/7 emergency service
Program Does Not Include:
* Round-trip airfare
* Brazilian Tourist or Intern Visa
* Return trip to airport
* Medical insurance
* Transportation to and from placement
Accommodations:
The program fee includes accommodations with a local family. Host families live in nicer neighborhoods, have full western style amenities, and provide breakfast and dinner daily. Please note that in Brazil the main meal of the day is typically lunch.
The only exception is the wildlife program in Curitiba. Participants in the wildlife program live together in the on-site guest house with full western style amenities and shared rooms. All meals are provided on-site by a nearby, simple restaurant.
Start Dates
Please contact us for current start dates.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. We prefer to let participants decide what kind of coverage they need. Please see our FAQ page for information on travel insurance.
All prices are listed in US Dollars. The program fees reflect the costs ELI faces when setting up a program. We work hard to keep our costs as low as possible. ELI is a registered 501(c)3 non profit. US taxpayers may be able to deduct some or all of the program fees. If you are outside the US and wondering what these costs translate to in your currency, click here for an online conversion tool that will give you the approximate current exchange rate.
|
|
|
