AJA - International Volunteer Work Programs in Brazil

AJA's international volunteers share the day-to-day realities of communities with whom they are working, thus helping to break down barriers. Volunteers and their hosts find mutual benefit in an “immersion and engagement” approach to development.
AJA's volunteers engage in real humanitarian work. They help disadvantaged individuals and groups develop skills to improve their economic situation, give attention to orphans, older adults and children with disabilities, teach English, arts and crafts, work to promote awareness of HIV-Aids and hygiene issues, environmental conservation, computer training, etc. See other AJA's Programs.

Why a Smart Volunteer Program

Volunteer Program and AJA's Sustainability
Individually Designed Programs
Program Duration
AJA's Volunteer Center - Brasilia, DF
AJA's Volunteer Center - Praia do Rosa, SC
Program's Fees and Conditions
Fees Use and Expenses Breakdown
Orientation and Placement Process
Age Policy and Aplication Process
Booking and Program Dates

Volunteer program ensures AJA's sustainability
The promotion of volunteerism and the involvement of international volunteers clearly contributes to the development of AJA's and sustains local structures and services. Our independent programs on volunteer work in HIV-Aids prevention, health care, education and social development is entirely driven by each volunteer’s contribution (prices vary according to length of stay). This contribution also offsets the cost of lodging and local transportation. The international volunteers program keeps AJA functioning in the context of longer-term sustainability and its programs focused on working towards solutions and empowering local communities. This way we do not seek funding from any government, cooperation agencies, religious or NGOs in order to keep those special programs running. Your participation and contribution is crucial to keep AJA acting as a real NGO: Non-Governmental Organization.
See article "Why Pay Money to Volunteer"

We will design a volunteer job individually for you
based in your background and level of expertise. As a small NGO we can understand and respect individual volunteers needs. We will try to fulfill your expectations and help you gain the experience you would like to obtain from AJA´s program. Volunteering with AJA is not suffering! You will have a lot of fun, too. You will work part time on your volunteer job and also have time to relax. We can arrange special cultural and outdoor programs for you and give you private Portuguese lessons. You will be hosted by our Program Leader and you will stay in a comfortable self-catering chalet/flat with pleasant outdoor seating, swimming pool and garden in Brasilia or in the beach in Sta. Catarina.

The program is also smart because it offers flexibility for participants
who may choose when to travel and for how long, from 2 weeks to 8 weeks, or longer. Our volunteer programs run year-round. When one group leaves, new volunteers arrive to continue the work. This way we can assure the project's continuity and a long-term progress.

Brasilia Volunteer Center

Click over the image to see Brazil's social exclusion map

The City
Brasilia, DF, is the capital city of Brazil. Located at the geographic center of Brazil at na altitude of 3,300 feet above sea level. It was inaugurated in 1960 and has increased its population to 2 millions or close to 3 million if we include all the surrounding towns. It has unique architetural buildings and palaces for our government. The famous architect Oscar Niemeyer was the creator of such beauties. This is the country's capital, the seat of power where the political decisions are made. Here are also the foreign Embassies in their exotic compounds, international organizations, national congress, the executive and judiciary powers.
We also have a lot of social problems, such as unemployment, lack of health and educational infraestructures in the surrounding towns of Brasilia. That is why we need to have you cooperating and working in our social projects.

Cultural Life
As Brasilia is a cultural mix of Brazil - Brazilians from all parts of the country live here - you'll find all Brazilian culture here. We do have an intense cultural life with lots of shows, theatres, national museums, libraries, coffee shops, restaurants, multicultural and popular events. We can scheduled any of these for you. You can also attend short term course or study visits at the University of Brasilia.

Climate
The basic different climates we have in Brasilia are: the rainny season (October to March) our summer, and the dry season, our winter in the other months. The temperature is very mild varying from 42° to 76° (F) in winter and from 68° to 84° in summer. It's a dry mild climate.

Lodging and Nature
Twenty miles from our school building, is our residence in a condominium in the beautiful Cerrados area. Our compound is situated on 1.5 acres with a lovely view. There we have 3 independent self-catering houses, garage, swiming pool and laundry area. We also raise chickens and vegetables. There you'll find peace to study or rest. This is a wondeful place for walking or tracking. Our van will take you and pick you up from school or project's location. If you arrive early you can go for a walk, a swim, and/or watch the native birds. We also promote parties and other social activities there.

Brasilia - Social Problems

Click over the image to see Brasilia's surrounding towns infraestructure map.
Some of Brasilia's social problems: 250,000 jobless persons, lack of infraestructure in Great Brasilia.

Santa Catarina Volunteer Center

Click over the image to see Praia do Rosa map

The Region
A wonderful coast line, established tourist attractions such as Florianópolis, Balneário Camboriú and Blumenau, beautiful mountains, and a complete circuit of festivals conquer the visitor. With these attractions the state receives some 4 million tourists per year, a number that is constantly growing. Eco-tourism, the fastest growing tourist sector worldwide, offers the best potential for Santa Catarina. Its waterfalls, the well preserved Atlantic Coastal Forest, crystal rivers and imposing mountains attract a growing contingent of nature sports lovers, from mountain climbing to hiking, mountain biking to rafting. This trend can turn the region into a new world center of eco-tourism, a vocation that seems to have been especially planned for this land, that has the name of a saint and which is blessed by nature.

The Whales
The southern right whale ('eubalaena australis') can reach 18 meters in length and weigh 40 tons. From June to November they migrate to the numerous inlets south of Florianópolis, capital of Santa Catarina, to rear their young. The whales have been hunted in order to extract oils used in industry and construction, a practice that reduced the world population to its current 7,000.

Lodging and Nature
Our Volunteer Center in Santa Catarina is located in Praia do Rosa, Imbituba, approx. 170 km south of Florianopolis, the capital city of Santa Catarina. At Praia do Rosa participants stay in self-catering houses/chalets in the beach. Nature sets the tone along the Santa Catarina coast. There are 500 km of beaches, lined by lagoons, rivers, mountains and the exuberant Atlantic Coastal Forest. But Praia do Rosa beach has a special advantage: whale-watching. The state has decreed a five-mile strip winding along 130 kms of shoreline a whale haven, and at Praia do Rosa, they and their young are visible from land, without visitors having to take a boat to observe them.

Unsustainable Tourism
Due its cultural, natural diversity and privileged location in relation to the Mercosur, Santa Catarina is one of the principal tourist destinations in Brazil. Tourist destinations face two realities: The summer months turn a quiet city of 75,000 people, such as Camboriu, into a cosmopolitan metropolis with more than 800,000 residents. The most common environmental impacts result from sewage being discharged in large volumes without treatment, from the disposal of solid waste and litter. Stirred by tourism in the summer, tourism destinations become deserted the rest of the year. Closed hotels and empty restaurants impact the economy and cause unemployment.

Santa Catarina - Social Problems

Click over the image to see Free Whales map
The communities lack general environmental education, such as regarding waste disposal, hygiene and sanitation. In Laguna, fishing has declined drastically over the past ten years. However, at the same time, the number of families depending on fishing has increased. This reflects the general increase in poverty and unemployment. Fishing continues to be an alternative source of income for the poor. There are very few job opportunities in Laguna, unemployment is high and income levels are low (on average US $45 per month per family).

Program Fees and Conditions

Our volunteer work in health care, education and social development is entirely driven by each volunteer’s contribution (prices vary by length of stay). This contribution also offsets the cost of lodging and local transportation.

Fees include the following Brazil-based expenses: airport transfers, lodging in a self-catering flat/house, orientation and volunteering activities, on-site advising and guidance, field-study visits and free cultural events, Portuguese classes (2 hours per week), program materials and daily transportation.

The program fee does not include costs for your visa, shots, international airfare and corresponding airport departure taxes, meals (can be included if you wish), medical and emergency coverage, personal spending money, vacation expenses, extra public transportation fares, taxis, shows, movies, theatres tickets, University of Brasilia extra mural course fees.
We suggest you make all your travel arrangements through your travel agent and inquire about any special student fares and reduced prices in regular scheduled flights. We strongly recommend an accident, health and trip cancellation insurance coverage for the duration of the program for all participants.

We will write a letter specifying training and courses taken and attesting to the student's language level and volunteering attendance. You may also be able to receive academic credit for your volunteer experience. Check with your school. Such arrangements usually require an academic advisor to supervise your work and the submission of a final report.

2005/2006 Program Fees

Please e-mail us informing the lenght of your stay to obtain available program fees.

Payment Process
All expenses directly related to studying abroad may be tax deductible if studying a language is relevant to your work or your profession, or necessary to upgrade your current skills. Consult with your accountant.
All fees must be paid in US dollars. PayPal or electronic bank wires are acceptable forms of payment.

Fees Use and Expenses Breakdown
We will use the program fees to keep our goals focused on working towards solutions and maintenance of our local projects. A breakdown of our expenses follows:

Orientation
Before you leave on our programs, you will receive pre-departure information by e-mail. On the first day after arrival, you will receive an intensive orientation. We will provide you a comprehensive survey of Brazil's life and customs; our staff will cover topics such as culture, language, religion, volunteerism and more. You will also have time to relax, take in the sights, and prepare for your volunteer experience.

Placement Process
No specific skills or prior volunteer experience is required but fluency in English.
The placement process is a team effort involving you, AJA's staff, and the community where the project is based. Before you leave, you will receive your project assignment and details about the type of work you will do. We will finalize your responsibilities or explore your ideas on your arrival and after you meet the project and staff. We will try to ensure that your volunteer position reflects the community needs and your interests.

Age Policy
Minimum age: you must be 18 to participate in our programs. There is no limit or maximum age.

Application Process
All prospective volunteers must complete the Personal Data Form and the Skills and Interests Survey (we will e-mail you or you may download these documents), which are used to determine the most suitable volunteer assignment. Since each individual possesses a wealth of skills and life experience, nearly every candidate is accepted into the program.

Booking and Program Dates
Programs run year-round and range from 2 to 8 weeks (shorter or longer programs may be arranged). Please click the button below to e-mail us and obtain program's available dates and booking information.