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A passionate country besotted with sport. The enthusiasm of the kids is very infectious in this land of eternal summer, and you're likely to learn as much as you teach!

Brazil offers a rewarding opportunity to pass on your sports skills to children who appreciate it. Absorb this awesome culture by becoming a part of its community. It is no surprise that most volunteers here choose to extend their stay! Brazil also tempts you with a great social life.


FOOTBALL PROJECT - COACH & PLAY - RIO DE JANEIRO:

Brazilians are passionate about football! The national obsession with football appears to be instilled in children of all ages and classes, who can often be seen having a game of barefoot soccer on the dusty backstreets of towns and cities across the country.

On the football project, you'll be working at a really great football club in the north of Rio - the poorest area and so the area most in need of voluntary help. The club trains everyone, from younger kids right up to older students of around 18 who are really great at football.

Their aim is to get these kids off the street and provide football lessons to give them something creative to focus on. The only thing required by the club is that the kids have to be attending school regularly... or they can't come to the club. This helps to keep them in school.

The institution works with over 250 kids at the moment, and all football instructors are volunteers, so the lack of volunteers is a big problem they face

You’ll usually spend around half of your time coaching the little ones, and half of your time playing football with the older students, which will give you the opportunity to keep up your skills!

Your Work: Your main role is to assist the coaches with general coaching. This can include training the kids for championships, giving warm ups and helping with stretching, teaching football techniques, etc.

If you are very confident, you can also take your own group of kids. If you have any qualifications, you are welcome to use them here, and new training techniques are always welcome!

You’ll usually go to work in the morning, take part in a few hours coaching then have lunch. Some afternoons, you may also be timetabled to go to one of the schools in the surrounding area to help out with their PE lessons, which are a mixture of lots of different kinds of sports, or at one of the total sports project centres (see below). We have a variety of projects, so Fabio will try to tailor your project to meet your individual skills and needs.

TOTAL SPORTS - RIO DE JANEIRO:

In Brazil you can coach:-

--> Ballet
--> Basketball
--> Capoeira
--> Dance (any kind!)
--> Football
--> Karate
--> Jiu-Jitsu
--> Tennis
--> Volleyball
--> Women's Football

Charitable organisations, NGO's and social projects are working hard in the Brazilian suburbs to provide recreational activities to street children or those from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Travellers have developed a number of partnerships with such projects and that's where you come in: to help coach these enthusiastic children and teenagers! Our programmes are aimed at improving the social skills and lifestyles of children and teenagers through the means of sport.

YOU CAN CHOOSE which sports you'd like to take part in. We'll create a project based at several project centres which will give you a jam-packed timetable focused on the sports you love. If you'd like to assist at the football club (see above), teaching English or at the crèches, you can also fill up your schedule with these activities.

"There is so much to say about the Karate club at the Ruben Gomez CIEP School where I work. There are people here who work very hard to keep the kids off the streets away from crime and drugs. One way, of course, is by encouraging dedication to sports. In this school there are two avenues ... one is the Karate Club, run entirely by volunteers, who somehow manage to raise enough funds to ensure the children are properly kitted out and even able to attend competitions.

The youngsters take the sport very seriously. I believe I mentioned the thirteen year old black belt who is capable of leading a class. (She has 6 siblings, lives in a two roomed house and looks about 17). Perhaps there are one or two Karate clubs out there with time to spare who could help in some way.... as you read through the rest of this I hope everyone will begin to realise just how much difference this kind of activity makes to these kids.

The other sport of course is football. On Friday Marcelo was even more boisterous than usual because the boys´ team he works with won an important local match. He proudly showed us the wonderful row of trophies earned by the team. As with the Karate, they have only what is donated and every victory is hard earned. These guys put so much effort into helping these kids without ever seeking any kind of reward, except maybe, success." Vera Tyler, Rio, Brazil


SPORT IN BRAZIL:

You don't need any qualifications to coach sports in Brazil, just a basic understanding of the game and a love of sports, as well as an enthusiasm to share this! You can also combine a Coaching project with a teaching project - or perhaps you'd like to learn Portuguese or Capoeira at the same time.

In many areas of Brazil children are exposed to the dangers of poverty and can be easily led into a life of crime and drugs. Sports programmes are essential in terms of providing a positive outlet for energy and a distraction from such a lifestyle. They focus on encouraging children to see the 'good side' of the world - by taking them away from the violence and poverty that they live in and encouraging them to see things in a different way. Along with the co-ordinators of such projects you'll be acting as a positive role model to children to help keep them away from the dangers of the streets.

The government recognizes the important role that structured sports programmes can have on entire communities, and in some areas grants have been given for the building or maintenance of outdoor pitches. This is a really positive move forwards for people in the poorer areas of citires who now have facilities that they can utilize and be proud of.
The schools and centres that you'll work in are poor but the children are rich in spirit! You'll spend time sharing your skills and building confidence and team morale, whilst working towards improving technique and strategy. What you will offer through coaching is immeasurable in terms of education in social skills, team work, self development, confidence and the obvious positive effects it will have on their English language learning.

With a little time, energy and patience your placement will be thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable for both you and the children you’ll be working with. You'll no doubt learn a thing or two as well, from your students and fellow coaches - this country is passionate about sport with no shortage of talent! You'll also help give the children hope and renewed confidence. The sense of importance that children feel from the fact that you're from another country and have chosen to spend your time helping them can be overwhelming - your very presence is encouraging and motivating.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT
• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Brazilian Life
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that demonstrates your initiative andwill put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• As well as the enjoyment of coaching your sport and passing on your skills, you’ll have the enormous satisfaction of helping underprivileged refugee children and knowing that you made a difference to them
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

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 £775 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.