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Sports Education Volunteer Program in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

Sports Education Volunteer Program in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

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.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
  • Affordable fees from $570 for 2 weeks
  • Includes accommodation, daily breakfast, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Arrange and run sports activities for local children

  • Explore Brazil from the beach to the jungle

  • Stay in a hostel in the pretty bayside area of Gloria, Rio de Janeiro

Key information

Improve wellbeing through physical activity
Based at a community center in Rio de Janeiro
Dormitory-style hostel accommodation
Volunteers aged 18+
Fully hosted experience from $570 for 2 weeks
Durations from 2 - 24 weeks
Portugese lessons available
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Active volunteers who love sports and enjoy working with children and people from all walks of life.
Who is this program suited to?

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
Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Good mental and physical health is key to sustainable development and building healthy and happy communities. Now more than ever, we must increase access to free healthcare and health education across the globe to achieve an acceptable standard of living and wellbeing for all.

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 need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
  • All volunteers are required to speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

FA
Fernando Arellano
10 Aug 2023

Brazil is a place that’s has one of the most amazing sport culture, so take advantage of that to help the kids in the program.

...
NV
Nicolas Verduzco
10 Aug 2023

I consider that this experience is one that everyone who has the opportunity should do, personally it is one of the best experiences of my life.

...
JW
Johnny Ward
09 Aug 2023

I have vastly improved my Portuguese and competence as a traveler. My advice to someone that is unsure or hesitant is to ask IVHQ for a call, I felt that the team give great information which can be understood better through calling than by email. The staff are incredibly nice and professional and I know for me, this greatly reduced any form of hesitation I had before joining.

...
CK
Cavan Kilkenny-Beattie
26 Feb 2023

Get out there and try it. My confidence in being alone was the biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me, along with making new friends from all over the world.

...
KB
Karina Bond
08 Feb 2023

My volunteering trip's most significant impact on me was counting one's blessings. Remember where you come from but know not everyone has the privilege you have. Though you may want to help and fix, take a step back, observe and learn, what you might think is a hinder or problem, others may view it as a blessing. Many moments during my experience impacted me, from the travel and visits to the country's history to the people I met, but more importantly, my experience working with the children at the community center. Volunteer and put yourself out there. Visiting and helping in a new environment that makes you feel uncomfortable also makes you comfortable and opens your heart and your mind.

...
SW
Sam Wardrop
05 May 2022

I was hesitant pre departure. But what put these hesitations at ease was the professional set up of IVHQ's website, support and information. I knew I was going somewhere that would be a well ran environment. My experience in Brazil was honestly not what I expected. It was much, much more. It was full of laughs, connections, experiences and memories. It is the best thing I have ever done in my life. Thank you IVHQ.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

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!

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Volunteer Abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with IVHQ

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.

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 stay in a hostel in the central Rio neighbourhood of Glória, which is a short walk from the metro station.

You can expect to share a bedroom with 5 to 8 other volunteers of both genders. Bedrooms have bunk beds with bedding and air conditioning provided. All rooms have a communal, co-ed bathroom equipped with western toilets and hot showers. You should bring your own towel or can rent one at the hostel for 5 BRL. Lockers are available but you’ll need your own padlock.

Accommodation upgrades to private or matrimonial rooms or homestays can be requested subject to availability at an additional cost after registering for the program. All upgrades must be arranged through the local team prior to your arrival. Additional accommodation before and after your program can also be arranged subject to availability. Please ask your IVHQ program manager for more details.

WiFi is available for volunteers to use at the hostel. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Due to the higher costs over busy Carnival week, an accommodation surcharge will apply to any volunteers on the program over the Carnival week period.

Meals

You’ll be provided with breakfast at the hostel, but will need to arrange your own lunch and dinner. Breakfast generally consists of coffee, tea, natural fruit juice, fruit, bread, butter, jam, cheese, ham and cake.

The hostel has cooking facilities to prepare meals and there are nearby shops to buy food. If you have any special dietary requirements for breakfast, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you.

Pricing

  • USD
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.
  • USD
2 weeks $570 Equivalent to $41/day
3 weeks $720 Equivalent to $34/day
4 weeks $870 Equivalent to $31/day
5 weeks $1,020 Equivalent to $29/day
6 weeks $1,170 Equivalent to $28/day
8 weeks $1,470 Equivalent to $26/day
10 weeks $1,770 Equivalent to $25/day
12 weeks $2,070 Equivalent to $25/day
16 weeks $2,670 Equivalent to $24/day
20 weeks $3,270 Equivalent to $23/day
24 weeks $3,870 Equivalent to $23/day
  • Accommodation
  • Daily breakfast
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • 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.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Brazil generally find US$250 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including lunch, dinner and miscellaneous spending.

Portuguese language lessons

Portuguese language lessons are available to all volunteers regardless of their ability. IVHQ recommends these lessons for all volunteers in Brazil unless they are fluent in Portuguese. Volunteers with a basic level of Portuguese should strongly consider these lessons to allow them to work and communicate more effectively during their program. These language lessons can be organized upon arrival in Brazil, during the program orientation. These language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Portuguese and must be paid for in Brazil to our local program staff.

Check what's required to visit Brazil

Safety and support with IVHQ

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.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

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.

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How to get started

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