"An excellent organization you can get involved with is Iko Poran"
Lonely Planet - Regis St. Louis

Experience Brazil from a whole different side and gain a perspective from the community

The goal of all the programs is to make a positive impact on the projects in which they take place, promoting intercultural exchanges and strengthening a constant and growing number of Non Profit Organizations in Brazil.

It is the ideal travel experience for those who want to go beyond the ordinary. It is aimed at those who are willing to have the satisfaction of sharing, learning and helping in the construction and visualization of a fairer world for all.
 

It was a unique experience. The people were very welcoming, making me feel comfortable.
Vanessa Carvalho, from Portugal

 I was so impressed by the enthusiasm, love, friendship and energy which goes in the work of Nos do Cinema that I can surely say it was more than I could have expected.
Sylke Abdinghoff, from Germany

I wanted to visit places and meet the people not as a tourist but from within the system. I lived with people that I could never get to know.
Dr Aris Apostolopoulos, from Greece.

 This was a great opportunity to do something meaningful and at the same time get to experience Rio and Brazil in a different way.
Camilla Johansen, from Norway

To have the opportunity to work in a favela was an unbelievable experience from a cultural, sociological and human perspective.
Jonathan Curiel, from France

 My experiences went beyond all my expectations. It was just such a wonderful experience in a wonderful city with great people around.
Barbara Schick, from Austria.

The world today is connected in so many ways and it is everyone's responsibility to get together and take
responsibility to solve the problems all people face.
Najin Kim, from Korea

 My personal experience with the kids at SAMP was, in itself, so unique that I feel it was extremely worthwhile and I am very grateful for having been offered this amazing opportunity.
Mihaela Frost, from Rumania

I just want to thank Iko Poran for letting me take part in the program at the circus. I had a really great time and already miss everybody a lot. 
Anouck Gevaert, from Holland 

 Life with Iko Poran was such an incredible learning journey I don't think I will ever forget. I want to thank everyone that made my experience in Rio unforgettable.
Matthew Thorne, from the US

"I feel I am returning to Ireland a more open minded and capable individual". 
Rosmeary Ennis, from Northern Ireland.

I was there to teach them something and I think they taught me a lot more. 
Diana Letra, from Canada.

The program was very well organized, the volunteer is never left alone, and that’s very nice especially for younger volunteers facing for the first time a foreign country.
Davide Tassi from Italy

It was interesting to see someone begin to learn something
Jin Voeks, from the US 

It has been a wonderful experience to make just a little difference in the lives of the one who don't have that many opportunities
Bram Hoffmans, from Netherlands.

The kids were very friendly and lovely with us since the beginning. We really got the feeling to be in the Community.
Leticia Hernando and Olga Martin, from Spain.

I was pleasently surprised by how welcoming the children were and how eager they were to learn.
Tammi Hardingham-Gill, from UK

It was nice to see the beginning of the organization and really nice to work with motivated persons.
Clémence de Pradel, from France.

 I learnt a lot about low-income communities and how solutions are being implemented to alleviate the problems.  
Fyaz Faisal, from Canada

I felt that my presence at Afro Reggae engaged both the children and the teachers.
Jocelyn Kern, from United States.

I wanted to have a different experience from that of a tourist. I wanted to feel much more part of another lifestyle - not to simply be an observer. My placement could not have been better.

Dipak Natali, from UK 

 I wanted to come to and do something constructive in the time that I was here. Volunteering was the best way for me to do this.

Bronwyn Parcell, from UK

My experience with the children and mentors at Afro Reggae has truly been a wonderful cultural exchange of Indian dance and Circus. I have learnt so much about what such an organization means to local communities and the children themselves.

Dimple Natali, from UK

 I think my presence and interest in the kids showed them that even someone from a different country was supporting their growth. 

Billie Soo, from the US

 The students were so eager to learn, so I managed to make the most out of my time here as they learned so much in so little time.
Jayna Halai, from England.

 I believe I am far more confident in myself than I ever was before I went to Brazil. 
Alice Chandler, from UK

 "It was a great way to see another side of Rio and to receive a perspective from the community" 
Athena Lamberis, 
Michigan State University.

"The intentions of Iko Poran are genuine and they strive for positive results". 
Mark Bahiri, from New York.

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