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Support for Blind People in Florianopolis Brazil
Santa Catarina state is one of the wealthier areas of Brazil and within it is the picturesque, coastal city of Florianopolis. This project is a great way to experience a different side of Brazil while helping out a section of society who are in desperate need of greater assistance. By helping the island’s blind population get rehabilitated, vocationally trained and computer literate you aren’t just giving them hope for the future; you’ll also be involved in a campaign to promote their integration into mainstream society.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum dependent on potential participants’ health.
Programme Information
This project was set up in 1977, created and run by blind people, for the benefit of other blind people. The aim of the project is to promote the integration of the blind into society, so they are able to live a normal life like any other Brazilian citizen.
The project works in particular areas to make this happen:
• Rehabilitation: Teaching the participants to cope with the realities of everyday lifeworking on mobility, education, computer literacy, music therapy and so on.
• Physical Activities: Promoting fitness and well being by involving participants in sports such as football, swimming and athletics, as well as more radical sports, such as paragliding and so on.
• Group work: Providing psychological support using group activities: - walks, camps, tai chi etc.
• Participants are also encouraged to restart their academic life and are found spots in regular schools to continue their education from where they left off. They are also helped to find jobs through vocational training and confidence building exercises. Your Role as a Volunteer
What you are asked to do on a day-to-day basis will depend on the needs of the project at the time, however you can expect to be involved in activities such as:
• Material corrector and Type: Type and correct scanned materials
• Translator: Translate materials in diverse languages.
• Educational support: Reinforcement lessons in school subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, Portuguese, history, English, etc.
• Friendly Guide: Culture development and leisure activities, accompanying the blind student on visits, walks, going to the theatre, etc. Maybe attending to some individual needs including medical consultations, purchases, etc.
• Vocational training: Development of diverse manual works, involving students and volunteers in occupational activities.
• Advisory board of Communication and Marketing/Publicity: Development of activities to divulge the work of the NGO, through newspapers, magazines, campaigns, etc
• Music: Promote music lessons to students (keyboard, double bass, violin, etc)
• Dances: Development of physical activities through Dance (Classical ballet, jazz)
• Photography and Filming: Record of the activities developed in the institution (courses, seminaries, festivities, etc).
• Reading Group: Read books and magazines of all kinds, with the objective of improving knowledge and being able to debate it.
• Events: Volunteers will work with events on behalf of the NGO. Volunteer Requirements
You will need plenty of enthusiasm, compassion and a general interest in helping people. You also need a high beginner level of Portuguese language.
Portuguese will be the main language used whilst 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 you are interested in.
While at the language school your accommodation will be with a host family. Also included with the language school is:
• An airport pick up
• Orientation
• Accommodation with breakfast and dinner
• 3 hours Spanish tuition per day
• Full onsite support throughout the programme Project Orientation
When you arrive into Florianopolis, 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, health and safety and so on. You can also expect a country and area orientation, which will cover things such as:
• The Brazilian Culture
• Money and Getting Around
• An Introduction to Florianopolis
• What to do in your free time
• Local food and places to eat Accommodation and Meals
You will be staying at an HI Hostel in downtown Florianopolis. It is well located for the city’s many beaches as well as being close to supermarkets, restaurants, bars and the main party spots. The hostel has rooms with 2, 3, 4 and 6 beds and facilities including a kitchen, luggage storage, Internet access, public telephone and TV room. You will get breakfast at the hostel every morning.
Other meals are not included in the price; you can join up with your fellow volunteers to go to the supermarket and use the hostel kitchen to cook if you want to. This is also a great opportunity to sample the local cuisine in the numerous restaurants in the local area.
Project Support
Throughout your time in Florianopolis you will have the support and guidance of a team of project co-ordinators based in the city. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.
The language school 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
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