| Our
Brazil Community Development Project
is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers
to learn the inner workings of a Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO). Our Global Crossroad-affiliate
NGO has a friendly, hard-working,
full-time staff based in Recife. Staff
members manage, organize, and administer
more than 15 projects located throughout
the state ranging from community work
to educational projects to skills
development. Volunteers assist the
director and project leaders, some
of whom speak a little English. Among
other tasks, volunteers will be asked
to help translate the project website
into English—a task already
underway but progressing slowly due
to the staff’s lack of English
expertise. You will gain valuable
experience in media work and an appreciation
of the general operations of a busy
NGO. If possible, volunteers may be
asked to teach conversational English
to staff members in a classroom environment
with up to 10 adults. The staff would
also like volunteer assistance with
fundraising and advice, particularly
regarding English language materials.
Activities
Volunteers will help with English
translation, teaching English to staff
members, and general office activities,
including fundraising, administration,
media, and marketing. Each volunteer’s
individual activities will, to some
extent, be determined by his/her skills
and interests. This project is a perfect
opportunity for volunteers with fundraising
skills who can use their experience
to improve an NGO.
Working Hours
Volunteers will work about 4 hours
a day, from Monday to Friday, between
the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Resources
The facilities for this project are
good. Computers and the Internet are
available, and the classroom facility
is excellent. The working environment
is clean and well organized, and resources
are provided to enable volunteers
to contribute effectively to the project.
However, English language materials
for teaching are scarce. It would
be helpful for volunteers to bring
books, magazines, and general teaching
materials from home.
Special Points
This project provides an excellent
opportunity to learn what makes an
NGO “tick” while immersing
allowing volunteers to immerse themselves
in the Brazilian culture and develop
Portuguese language skills. The staff
is friendly and professional, providing
a great learning environment for each
volunteer.
Global Crossroad
has many on-going volunteer programs
in Brazil:
|
Volunteer
in Brazil