The program
This essential program was created with a simple goal in mind. Help families in the Complexo do Alemão favela repair their homes to provide them with a safe place to live. Housing is a fundamental human right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and everyone should have a safe, secure and habitable home. In Complexo do Alemão, this right is not met, with the abject poverty seeing generations of families living in shacks and with a population now of more than 70,000! Building codes are non-existent and many families build their own homes with whatever scraps of wood, brick or metal they can find. Residents of favelas suffer from health conditions due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, with the average life expectancy 13 years less than other residents of Rio.
While residents try to repair their homes to the best of their ability, many are unable to afford basic food and clothing, so often construction materials are simply out of reach. This project allows residents and volunteers to work together to repair and maintain these homes and create a warm, safe and sanitary place for families to live.
Goals of this Project:
- Improve the future prospects of families in one of Rio’s largest shanty towns
- Alleviate health and social issues within the Complexo do Alemão favela by supplying warm, safe and sanitary conditions for families to live in
- Provide free labor and some basic materials to help build or repair homes for residents
- Enable cultural exchange with benefits residents and international volunteers alike
This project makes a genuine difference to the health and safety of residents, with volunteers being integral to its success. Without the manual labour and supplies provided by a willing international volunteer workforce the most vulnerable residents of Complexo do Alemão would continue to experience the health and social issues associated with substandard housing. Many local residents report that they are simply unable to repair damages caused by mudslides or storms or to build additional rooms on overcrowded homes. The manual labor assistance provided by the program enables local residents to pursue projects that they’ve been wanting to accomplish for years, such as painting homes, landscaping or basic construction tasks to create liveable homes. Having a home favela residents can be proud of is a catalyst for change, building their confidence and self-worth to help them achieve their goals. Residents will live safer, happier lives and gain cultural understanding from working alongside international volunteers.
Volunteers can expect to:
- Help implement manual labor projects: painting, landscaping, basic home repair
- Provide some basic supplies (amount set prior to placement)
- Prepare and lead activities
- Network with local residents and program staff
- Monitor progress and write debriefs
Typical day
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
7:00am Breakfast at the hostel
8:00am Walk or bus to project site
8:45am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor
9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.
4:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
4:15pm Debrief with project supervisor
4:30pm Walk or bus back to hostel
Evenings Free time to relax and grab some dinner or explore the sights and sounds of central Rio!
Details on Arrival
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
Free-time activities
This program is located in one of Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela (shanty
town) communities - Complexo do Alemão - in the northern part of this
sprawling city. Rio is Brazil’s second most populous city after Sao
Paulo and is symbolized by the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer
which stands atop Sugarloaf Mountain and watches over all of Rio. World
renowned for its eponymous carnival, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and
of course the 2016 Olympics, Rio has something to offer every traveler.
This is an amazing location for volunteers to not only give back to the
local communities but to have a truly memorable experience!
Program Requirements
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
- Dedicated pre-departure support
- Exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner!
- Airport pick-up on arrival
- Orientation & full safety briefing on arrival
- Accommodation
- Food & Meals
- 24/7 local support network
- Project placement & onsite supervision
- Lifetime LV Alumni Membership
- The opportunity to make a REAL difference!
- Certificate of Completion (on request)
- LV registration fee
Upon your arrival in Rio de Janeiro, you will be collected at the airport and delivered to your accommodation. On Monday morning you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers (if you haven't already!). A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. They will also help you with purchasing a local sim phone card if required. Local maps and a transport guide are provided free of charge by the hostel. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have!
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Rio de Janeiro–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (aka Galeão International Airport), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Code: GIG)
Volunteers on this project are accommodated at one of Rio de Janeiro’s top youth hostels - the CabanaCopa Hostel - which is perfectly located in the safe and popular area of Copacabana next to a beautiful nature park just three blocks from the famous Copacabana Beach and within convenient access to metro stations, restaurants and the many attractions of this vibrant city. Volunteers will stay in shared dormitory-style rooms of various sizes, with shared bathroom facilities. Several awesome communal areas are provided for guests to hang out, catch up with the many fellow travellers, or to simply relax!
All standard amenities are available in the hostel, including hot showers and modern bathrooms, air conditioning/ceiling fans, microwave, bed linen and free drinking water. There is even free Wi-Fi, an onsite bar and a pool table! Private double rooms w/ensuite are available on request for an additional fee and external laundry services are available nearby. The hostel is well managed and meticulously clean, is a perfect home away from home and a wonderful base for your stay in Rio!
Volunteers are provided with a traditional Brazilian breakfast every day at the hostel (included in the program fee). They then have the opportunity to use other meals times to experience the amazing culture and cuisine that Rio has to offer. Simply get a few of your fellow hostel mates together and head out to one of the many local restaurants, bars or cafes and enjoy all the local and international delicacies on offer! Easy!
Program Fees
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