It was an amazing experience. Meeting some of the best people ever and helping the local community.
Sports Education Volunteer Program in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
Purpose
Improve wellbeing through physical activity
Start dates
Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
Duration
Choose from 2-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+
Accommodation
Dormitory-style hostel
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Active volunteers who love sports and enjoy working with children and people from all walks of life.
Project details
On the ball and want to kick off an experience as a Sports Education volunteer Brazil? International Volunteer HQ’s Sports project places volunteers in a community center in Rio de Janeiro where they gain experience in teaching and can share their love of sport. The locals already love sport, especially football, and children and young people in particular will benefit from the chance to take part in healthy physical activity in a safe environment supported by volunteers.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Sports are a big part of life in Rio de Janeiro, particularly in low-income communities where children have fewer options for entertainment. The national sport, soccer, futebol to locals, is a passion that unites the people of Rio regardless of age, gender or status.
As a Sports volunteer with IVHQ you’ll be assisting local staff to provide opportunities for healthy, fun and constructive recreational activities to children, teenagers, adults, seniors and those with disabilities in a safe and supportive environment.
Sports volunteer work can vary but usually includes:
- Coaching
- Helping run sports games and drills
- Setting up games and activities
- Sharing your love of sport
Why do Sports volunteering in Rio De Janeiro with IVHQ?
When you volunteer on the Sports project in Rio, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving the wellbeing of the community through physical activity
- Helping people develop life skills in a safe place
- Practicing your Portuguese
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching and coaching experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the Brazilian culture
- Discovering the incredible sights of Rio de Janeiro
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in this program. If you are under 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad to explore these options
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
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Exploring Rio during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Ipanema Beach during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Christ the Redeemer during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring street art during an IVHQ weekend
Watching a Football game during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Ipanema Beach during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring street markets during an IVHQ weekend
Enjoying adventure activities during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Ipanema Beach during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Rio during an IVHQ weekend
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
IVHQ’s volunteer projects are based in the glittering city of Rio de Janeiro. It’s the second largest city in Brazil and home to glorious beaches, breathtaking scenery and a huge selection of cultural activities including the world’s biggest street parade, Carnival.
The volunteer accommodation is based in Glória, a bayside neighborhood in central Rio which is close to Copacabana Beach and many restaurants, bars, art galleries, museums and tourist attractions.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month and volunteers need to arrive into Rio de Janeiro on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) in Rio de Janeiro. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Rio. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are traveling in Brazil prior to your volunteer program, you will need to arrange your own transport to the hostel accommodation.
Orientation is hosted by our Brazil team at their office in Rio de Janeiro. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Brazil - an introduction to Brazil, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local team member and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
Work and hours at the placement are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day is as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the hostel. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteeers travel to their placements. |
| 8:30 - 2:00PM | Volunteers join the placement staff and begin work. There is usually a morning tea break and lunch break. |
| 2:00 - 5:00PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to their accommodation, go sightseeing, hit the beach, or do some shopping. |
Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have free time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Rio de Janeiro and other areas of Brazil. Popular tourist activities include relaxing on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, climbing Corcovado Mountain, visiting the statue of Christ the Redeemer, catching the cable car to get a 360-degree view of the city from Sugar Loaf Mountain, horse trekking and wildlife spotting in the Pantanal wetlands, exploring Iguazu Falls and trekking through the Amazon.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style public hostel set within a charming and character-filled house in the peaceful, historic neighborhood of Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro.
Surrounded by lush greenery and local wildlife, the hostel offers stunning panoramic views over the city. It’s a safe, vibrant area with plenty of nearby restaurants serving both traditional Brazilian dishes and international cuisine.
The hostel has a warm, social atmosphere and plenty of inviting communal spaces where you can relax, unwind, and connect with fellow travelers. Volunteers and independent travelers typically share mixed-gender dorm rooms with 5 to 14 people - a fantastic way to meet new friends from all over the world.
Please note that the hostel welcomes both volunteers and other guests. This blend of people creates a fun, diverse environment and adds to the overall cultural experience.
In your free time, you can enjoy the outdoor pool, spend time on the garden terrace, or join the weekly yoga classes offered, perfect for relaxing and socializing.
Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, a barbeque griller, coworking area, cozy lounge with TV, free Wi-Fi, shared bathrooms, 24-hour reception, laundry facilities, and individual lockers.
Private room upgrades and extra nights aren’t included in the program, but you’re welcome to contact the hostel directly if you’d like to arrange any add-ons. Full instructions will be provided in your Program Guide once you complete your registration.
Meals
A continental-style breakfast is served each morning. You can expect a simple but satisfying selection that typically includes bread, toast, ham, cheese, butter, cake, juice, coffee, and milk.
For lunch and dinner, volunteers are welcome to prepare their own meals in the fully equipped kitchen, which features a gas stove, oven, a fridge, and pantry space. Most volunteers, however, choose to enjoy the fantastic local food options with restaurants nearby offering meals ranging from $5 to $25.
The hostel is able to accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian diets for breakfast. If you follow a more specialized diet, please be aware that you may need to purchase some additional items locally. Just let us know your dietary needs when you apply so we can help ensure everything is arranged for you.
Volunteer hostel
Volunteer hostel
Hostel communal space
Hostel garden terrace
Hostel pool
Hostel views
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bathroom
Typical volunteer breakfast
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$329 (approximately $329), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately $329) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
|
Duration
|
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $770 Equivalent to $55/day |
| 3 weeks | $945 Equivalent to $45/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,120 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,295 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,380 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,730 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,080 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,430 Equivalent to $29/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,130 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,830 Equivalent to $27/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,530 Equivalent to $27/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Brazil generally find US$250 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including lunch, dinner and miscellaneous spending.
- Breakfast
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Lunch and dinner
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Check what's required to visit Brazil
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Brasilia |
| Population | 198.7 million |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Currency | Real (BRL) |
| Time zone | UTC-03:00 |
Weather and climate
The climate of Brazil has a wide range of weather conditions across a large area and varied topography, but most of the country is tropical. The different climatic conditions produce environments ranging from equatorial rainforests in the north and semiarid deserts in the northeast, to temperate forests in the south and tropical savannas in central Brazil. Many regions have starkly different microclimates.
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
HS
Harry Saunders
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ZR
Zachary Rugamba
I enjoyed incredible experiences and made unforgettable memories with people I had just met and became so close to in the short time we were together. We are now bonded by this trip forever and I'm so grateful for the experience. I couldn't recommend it enough I just want to go back and do it all over again. My only advice to anyone is to just go, take the leap and full send it. Life is too short to live with regrets, your trip will give you unforgettable memories and stories you can tell for a lifetime. You get to enjoy life whilst also contributing and integrating yourself in a new culture as well. The volunteering work is extremely fulfilling and the people are amazing. I am so glad I found IVHQ and now I can never travel anywhere the same - nothing compares to the experience I had in Rio through the IVHQ program.
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OS
Oli Stewart
I gained invaluable insight into a fascinating, unique culture which I immersed myself in for 2 weeks. Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city, from the natural landscape to the people and its lifestyle. The volunteering project made me appreciate how important sport is in bringing the local communities together as a tool for education and peace. Engaging with the kids and coaches by transferring skills I have gained from playing football back home made the whole experience especially fulfilling.
To anyone who is hesitant, I would say that Rio de Janeiro is the best place in the world to experience football. Having said that, there is also a range of other sports and projects, all of which provide the same opportunity to give back to a truly amazing culture, all whilst being in one of the world's most iconic and idyllic cities. By following the advice of the program, you should never feel unsafe, and you will also meet so many people with similar interests to share the experience with.
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RO
Ryan Oatley
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to IVHQ for providing me with an amazing 6-week sports volunteering placement in Rio, Brazil. This opportunity to run football sessions for children in the favela has been incredible. Seeing the joy on the kids' faces and witnessing their passion for the game was truly inspiring. The support from the IVHQ team made this experience seamless and rewarding. Thank you, IVHQ, for allowing me to be part of such a meaningful program and for helping make a positive impact in these children's lives.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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