INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

We have our operations linked with many Non Profit Organizations - NPO, and develop volunteer programs to attend to specific challenges they face, allowing them to give better benefits to the communities they serve. At the same time, the programs provide gratifying experiences to the volunteers who feel the social and/or environmental changes that their work provokes.

The volunteers act in projects developed and operated by the local organization and their community councils. They have a unique experience of participating actively in developing communities for a fairer world, while they create a rich personal opportunity for cultural exchange.

The programs also provide training for volunteers and communities, generate income and employment, and do so in an open ethical manner through sharing the revenues with partner organizations.

The Placements are specially formatted according to the volunteer’s abilities and interests. They are ideal for those who are willing to become a partner of a development project. These programs take place only in Rio de Janeiro. We also have scheduled some group programs that can take place in the Amazon Forest or in Bahia State. 

Program Length: Customize your program and the length of your stay. Duration of volunteer internship term will be agreed upon by Iko Poran, the partner NPO, and the international volunteer prior to arrival in Brazil. Previous volunteer internships have ranged from 3 weeks to 6 months, and volunteers have worked part-time as well as full-time.

Language Requirements: Some knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish is recommended but not mandatory in most cases. If you can grasp a little, it will definitely take you a long way.

Performance Indicators: In order to ensure a rewarding and gratifying experience for the volunteer and for the partner NPO specific benchmarks and objectives will be reviewed by all parties at the end of the internship. This will allow for continued improvement of future internship programs, as well as provide the volunteer with a measure of his/her impact onto the development project during the internship period.

Estimated Costs:

One time Placement Fee:
Iko Poran: US$ 125.00
Donation to the partner NPO: US$ 125.00
Total Placement Fee: US$ 250.00
It is not necessary to send any payment in advance. The fee can be paid after the volunteer is allocated within the partner NPO.

Lodging: 
We have partnerships with affordable students houses where our volunteers may stay. They are located in very nice neighborhoods, either in Copacabana or Ipanema neighborhoods. Walking distance to the subway station and to the beaches. There is transportation to everywhere in the city and the main tourist sites are close by.
The monthly fee is only R$ 500,00 in a shared room; R$ 800,00 in a private room; Daily fee is R$ 45,00 (1US$ is approximately R$ 3,00).

Food and Meals: 
Brazil is a very inexpensive country for foreigners, but it all depends on your lifestyle. The students’ houses also have fully equipped kitchens where the volunteers may cook. A meal at a restaurant may be as cheap as R$ 6,00 (US$ 2.00) in very nice and healthy popular restaurant or up to R$ 30.00 (US$ 10.00) in nicer places.

Transportation:
Buses cost R$ 1,60 (US$ 0.55) and subway costs R$ 2,00 (US$ 0.66)

Total Monthly Estimate:
R$ 1.200,00 - US$ 400.00 (Lodging, Food and Transportation only).
There is a one-time Placement fee of US$ 250.00 on the first month.

Do not forget that you will probably want to go out and visit other cities and sites during the weekends. 

Please also read the General Conditions

Before choosing you program, please see the section Role of the International Volunteer.