Streets to Success in Recife Brazil

The northeast region of Brazil is the most poverty stricken area of the country, and the communities of the disadvantaged areas of Recife are missing vital education and vocational skills that would make finding a better-paid job that bit easier. You can help this hugely worthwhile project by having a hand in educating the children and older generations of these areas and helping them get back on their feet.

Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health

Project Duration
Minimum 4 weeks

Programme Information
Set up in 1990, this project aims to help disadvantaged families, communities and schools in the poorest areas of Recife. The focus is on three main problem areas, so the project is split into three sections, each section facing the challenges that its particular area presents.

Area 1: The focus of this part of the project is street children and helping them to make a better future for themselves. This is done through education, workshops on health awareness and educational and sports activities. This is all about building the children’s self- confidence and their awareness of the future and what they can do to achieve a better one.

Area 2: The focus of this part of the project is employment and helping people become more employable. Education is not of a high standard in the disadvantaged areas of Recife and attendance isn’t exactly high anyway! Given this is the case it means that large numbers of the community- people of all ages- don’t have the skills to get a decently paid job. The project has therefore set up workshops to teach vocational skills such as computer literacy and other skills essential in the professional sector, so that community members have a better chance of getting a job- especially the adolescents.

Area 3: The final part of the project focuses on the older generation, particularly on mothers who do not work. Just as their children do now, these people missed out on school and therefore have a low level of education and in some cases are illiterate. The project seeks to educate older members of the community, as well as teaching people, like mothers, handcrafts that they will be able to sell to tourists to make a small income.

Your Role as a Volunteer
You will be able to choose which one of the three areas of this project you would like to spend most of your time on, though you can work on all of them if you wish. Your day-today activities will depend on what most needs doing at the project and what part of the project you are involved in, but you will be doing activities along the lines of:

You will also be able to get involved with any other activities that are going on at the project while you are there. There is so much to do on this programme, you’ll have more scope to choose in which area you work depending on what your interests are!

Project Requirements
No previous experience is required but participants need to be enthusiastic and full of ideas. You also need high beginner level Portuguese. Portuguese will be the main language used while on the project in order to respect staff that cannot speak English. For those who are new to the language or if you just need to brush up on the skills you already have, we recommend that you take part in our language school before your project starts.

Language School
The Rio Language School has over 33 years experience in teaching the Portuguese language and is one of the biggest in Brazil.

You will be taking part in a course that has been specifically designed for foreign students who need to learn Portuguese for both professional and personal use. But the focus isn’t only on these areas; you can also look into any area that interests you.

While at the language school your accommodation will be with a host family. Also included with the language school is:

Project Orientation
When you arrive into Recife, you will be met at the airport and will have an orientation with the onsite staff covering all you need to know about the project itself, such as what you will be doing and health and safety. You can also expect a country and area orientation, which will cover areas such as:

Accommodation and Meals
Your accommodation in Recife will be in a hostel, which is located 2 blocks from Boa Viagem beach and close to supermarkets, restaurants, bars and clubs. There is also easy bus access to your project. Rooms in the hostel contain 4 to 6 beds, so you will be sharing a room as well as sharing bathroom and kitchen facilities. There is also a TV room and storage lockers for you to keep all your stuff in.

Breakfast is included and is provided at the hostel, and all other meals are self- catered. It might be a good idea to visit the local supermarkets and use the hostel kitchen facilities with your fellow volunteers – a great way to get to know each other better.

Project Support
Throughout your time in Recife you will have the support and guidance of a team of project coordinators based in the town. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

The project staff will be on hand throughout the day to ensure your comfort and safety. In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

If you have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the Latin America team at the Real Gap office on 01892 516 164 or e-mail latinamerica@realgap.co.uk