Alternative Spring Breaks - Alternative Breaks

Group Program:
This program is specially designed for groups of volunteers that only have limited time to travel and want to do community work and visit tourist attractions.
This itinerary was specially tailored to the “Alternative Spring Break” of the University of Virginia (USA)

DAY 1 – Reception and local tour in the neighborhood
Airport pick up, transfer to the accommodation (www.casaaurea.com.br)


Orientation section (guides, maps, listings, safety tips & health issues) Lunch at accommodation followed by a tour in the neighborhood		Group with Iko Poran Director – view from Santa Teresa neighborhood


Tour in Santa Teresa neighborhood		View from Parque das Ruinas (park of the ruins) – Santa Teresa neighborhood


Capoeira and Maculelê presentation		Capoeira and Maculelê presentation

“ We wanted to lead a trip to somewhere exciting and we decided that Brazil is a perfect destination “
(Camil Boulos, group leader)

“ I lived in Brazil while younger and always return to visit family and friends, and have always wanted to go back to do some sort of social outreach volunteer service. Volunteering with Iko Poran was my first chance at this, and it was an amazing experience! “
(Bryan Costa)


Capoeira and Maculelê presentation		Participants are invited to join


Participants are invited to join		Participants are invited to join

Pizza Night at Casa Aurea

DAY 2 – Tour day


Tour downtown with professional guide that explains the history of Rio de Janeiro		Tour downtown with professional guide that explains the history of Rio de Janeiro

“ The preliminary schedule gave us a general idea of what to expect, but a written description is always different from the actual experience. The experience itself was one of the best ever! “
(Camil Boulos, group leader)

“ I tried not to draw conclusions as to what the trip and our service would be like so as not to get there with a closed mind. I wanted to keep myself completely open to what we would experience, and was still surprised by how directly involved we became in the places we volunteered in. My contact with the people who live in the places we worked was my greatest learning experience.“
(Bryan Costa)


Tour downtown with professional guide that explains the history of Rio de Janeiro		Football (soccer) game at Maracanã stadium where the 2014 World Cup final will take place

DAY 3 - Community service at Morro dos Prazeres
A playground was cleaned and fixed by volunteers and locals


Walking up the favela		The playground area before the volunteers


The work starts, everybody works very hard		The work starts, everybody works very hard


Local children came to help		Group with local children after the first day of work.

DAY 4 - Community Service at favela Final Feliz

Volunteers cleaned and leveled the street of the Project “Forming the Future”.


Street of the social project before		Volunteers cleaning and fixing the street


Volunteers cleaning and fixing the street		Local children also came to work together

DAY 5 - Community service at Morro dos Prazeres

Volunteers finish fixing the playground area and play with local children


Volunteers and locals finishing the work at Morro dos Prazeres		Volunteers and locals finishing the work at Morro dos Prazeres

Volunteers and locals finishing the work at Morro dos Prazeres

“ The volunteer work was very good; it was interesting to see that the park we cleaned on the top can actually be put to good use now. Also, working in the favela itself was a unique experience just from what we saw. “
(Camil Boulos, group leader)

“ Our entire group was left with a great sense of gratification with the volunteer work we did, and a knowledge of our having made a difference where we went, no matter how small. We were happy that as we left Final Feliz the children we spent the day with hugged us one by one while saying goodbye, and pleasantly surprised that at Prazeres every time we worked we were approached by people who saw us and wanted to join in and help.“
(Bryan Costa)


Volunteers play with local children in the renewed playground		The playground area after the volunteers


Playing soccer with children		Group picture after work

DAY 6 - Tourist attractions


On the tram up to Corcovado Mountain		Astonishing view of Rio de Janeiro from the top

“ The trip was absolutely phenomenal; everyone loved every second of it! “
(Camil Boulos, group leader)

“ We engaged in touristic activities, volunteered, and had time to explore the city on our own. I think this diversity of activities is important to the program; and that it helps those who participate in it see every facet of the city of Rio de Janeiro. “
(Bryan Costa)


Group in front of the Christ Redeemer on top of Corcovado Mountain		Participants take Surf lessons at Ipanema beach


Participants take Surf lessons at Ipanema beach		Participants listen to the Surf instructor on Ipanema beach.


Group picture on the old cable car of the Sugar Loaf Mountain		Group picture at the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain

“ Best Trip Ever! You guys are The Best! “
(Camil Boulos, group leader)


View of Rio de Janeiro from the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain		The group enjoys an awesome sunset from the top of the sugar Loaf Mountain

DAY 7 – Free day to enjoy the beach and buy souvenirs

DAY 8 – Free morning, Farewell Barbecue mid afternoon, airport drop off early evening.

Want to tailor a special program for your group? Click here!

^ up ^

Programs

Volunteers´ Experiences