Volunteer in Brazil

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.

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.

This experience helped me pick up another language and become conversation in Portuguese, it gave me the opportunity to make an immense amount of connections that I will carry with me forever and have the most memorable, spontaneous, crazy adventures.

I gained a sense of purpose and responsibility. If someone was to join the program I would tell them to walk in with no expectations and an open mind to allow you to immerse yourself fully into it.

Volunteering in Brazil was a transformative experience that enriched my life in countless ways. I gained a profound appreciation for the vibrant culture and warmth of the Brazilian people. Immersing myself in community projects allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of social issues and the importance of grassroots efforts in addressing them. My communication skills improved as I navigated language barriers, and I cultivated resilience and adaptability through facing various challenges. The friendships I forged and the sense of making a tangible difference left an indelible mark on my heart, and I will forever appreciate the best friendships I made on this trip

I really loved teaching the children, getting to live like a local in Brazil and be immersed in Carioca culture. It is also a great opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world and different pathways of life on this program. The Local Team and the volunteers at the hostel really make an effort to make sure that you feel comfortable and help resolve any issues you may have! The Local Team and IVHQ are also very willing to answer any questions or help you with your preparation for the trip!