Info

You will gain experience in care in a friendly environment where your assistance is really needed. This is a challenging and rewarding project, during which you'll spend your time helping orphans and the elderly.

he Centre where you'll work was set up 50 years ago in Florianópolis to look after the elderly and orphans. It is supported entirely by donations from the local community. There are around 80 elderly people and 25 orphans living in the Centre and around 120 children who attend the crèche which is run there. The Centre was originally set up by a group of people who believed they had been in contact with the spirits of their deceased relatives, and had been asked by them to continue caring for the community.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

► An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure!
► The rewards from helping others and Making a Difference!
► New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
► An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
► And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

You are made very welcome here and can do very meaningful work caring for and giving attention to the elderly and the orphans and thus improving their wellbeing and quality of life. There are many different types of activities that you can get involved in, including (but not limited to) physiotherapy, arts and crafts (painting, colouring, embroidery, etc…) and various kinds of alternative therapies (Reiki, for example). You can help in any of these activities or in any others you are qualified to do that could have a positive impact on the resident’s life.

Your role will be to act as support to the existing staff. You can also help in a more hands-on way by:

► Helping to feeding the elderly
► Assisting the ones who are unable to walk
► Accompanying the ambulent and those in wheelchairs on walks outside in the fresh air
► Aiding nurses with people who are ill and unable to leave their bed
► Spending some quality time with them to raise their spirits, because many "just feel useless and abandoned", As much of their days are spent in a wheelchair looking at the walls, you can imagine how valuable your attention to them is!

"The possible activities a volunteer can aid in or even introduce to the centre are truly infinite! The only requirement is that the you want to help, and if you do you'll have many opportunities to make a difference here!" Ana Castilha, talking about the voluneer programme at the Centre.

No qualifications are required for this project - any volunteer who wants to help will be made very welcome!

ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL PROJECTS BASED IN Florianópolis

Accommodation is at a 'family guest house' means that Travellers volunteers get to eat, sleep, work, socialise and generally live like a Brazilian. All members of the family will usually speak English, so it's not a problem if you don't speak Portuguese. Most of the families take more than one volunteer or student at once (some up to 10!), so the atmosphere is somewhere between a regular family and a hostel... Often very social, but with the benefit of gaining insights into the Brazilian way of life from the inside - the best of both worlds!!

Many offer the option of single or shared rooms, and generally houses are in close proximity with each other. The accommodation is comfortable, with a ‘western-style’ bathroom, and has all the modern facilities you'll need.

Past volunteers in Brazil have found that one of the highlights of living in the culture is eating out locally in the evenings. Therefore, to enable you to sample the endless variety of Brazilian dishes while you're there, we've limited this project to breakfast only, which will be served at the hotel.

Meals in local restaurants are very inexpensive and you'll dine out handsomely on about £3.50 ($5), although you could spend only £2.50 ($3) a day and still be eating well (prices are correct at time of writing). In Floripa, there are many restaurants catering for every taste, from Fast Food to Thai, Sushi, Mediterranean, French, German and Italian cuisine as well as a myriad of local Brazilian options.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:

Talk to us - We're there to help you. Call +44 (0) 1903502
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
It’s as easy as that.

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £795 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Requirements

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.