WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
The favelas are very densely populated and many people live in unsatisfactory living conditions, with high levels of poor nutrition, pollution and crime. Education in Brazil is free and primary level education is compulsory, with most primary schools maintained by the municipal or state authorities. Because of this system, wealthier areas tend to have vastly better schools that provide a higher quality of education than poorer areas, and many children’s learning suffers from a lack of adequate amenities and resources. This in turn results in poorer life and well-being outcomes and fuels a cycle of disadvantage that many communities and young people struggle to break free of. It also means that many young people, boys in particular, are made very vulnerable to be involved with violent gangs and criminal activities.
The project aims to offer an educational environment to young people who lack access to a basic education, and to help them gain skills and motivation required to improve their employment potential, as well as possibly helping them prepare for reintegration into a family and/or society.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
This project gives you an opportunity to work with some of the most disadvantaged young people in Rio, and to help improve their futures by assisting them to access quality education and support where the would otherwise be unable to. You will usually work within a team of 4-5 other volunteers, under the guidance of two co-ordinators, to teach English and other important disciplins to students between the ages of 3-12 who are at a level of basic or below. Given the children’s age and language barrier, it is important to also to be creative with lesson planning and teaching, to inspire the children and make a fun and motivational, yet informative environment for them. You will receive much support in-country to help you with this.