The program
This fantastic project was created with the goal of providing the residents of one of Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela (shanty town) communities - Complexo do Alemão, with nutritious food. It aims to teach them the skills to garden and supply fresh, healthy food for their families and community.
Sadly, the residents of Rio's favelas are being targeted by the door-to-door selling of cheap processed food options, an easy option for residents when there are is no vehicle to get to the supermarket and public transport is expensive. Most people in the poorest communities are also under-educated, making them more vulnerable to advertising from the major food and beverage companies. As a result, unhealthy processed foods high in fat and sugar have become prevalent in favelas, and health issues have soared. It is imperative that favela communities have access to nutritious food and learn how to develop and grow healthy food for their families.
Goals of this Project:
How you can help
Volunteers are crucial to the success of this program, supplying their essential knowledge and skill in horticulture. This project firmly supports the ethos of ‘helping others to help themselves’ – educating and up-skilling students in local schools and favela residents so they have the knowledge to continue to supply food for their families. These skills can then be passed on to future generations.
While volunteers will impart their knowledge to residents, they will also have the opportunity to learn more about tropical urban gardening, medicinal plants, nutrition and conservation in Brazil. All participants will learn more about each others lives and gain greater cross-cultural understanding.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Educate about Urban Gardening
Raise awareness of healthy eating and teach planting techniques so residents can continue the gardens and create more.
$628/week
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