About Eldercare in Brazil

World Endeavors eldercare volunteers in Brazil contribute their time and energy to supporting and caring for the elderly in their local community.  Traditionally, senior citizens in Brazil were cared for by their families, but in recent decades, social and economic changes have altered this system and made it more difficult for many families to care for their oldest members.  Eldercare volunteers work at nursing homes and senior centers, supporting local staff in the day-to-day operations as well as spending time with the residents, sharing stories, teaching English, and participating in activities.  Eldercare volunteers make a meaningful contribution through their work and build strong relationships with members of their local community.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Volunteer in Brazil

World Endeavors volunteers in Brazil can expect their days to be a combination of meaningful volunteer work, cultural experiences, and free time for relaxation and reflection.  The sample schedule below represents a typical day for a volunteer in Brazil.  Keep in mind that when volunteering abroad, a typical day can be anything but typical!

7:00 – 8:00 am: Breakfast with your host family.  Breakfast in northeast Brazil often consists of fresh tropical fruit, cheese buns, homemade cake, and coffee.

8:30 – 8:45: Travel by city bus or walk to your language classes.

9:00 am – 12:30 pm: Portuguese classes, with a short mid-morning coffee break.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm:  Break to eat lunch. Cuisine in Salvador is mostly Afro-Bahian, with influences from African, Amerindian, and traditional Portuguese dishes.  Because Salvador is a coastal city, many of the dishes contain seafood.  Typical dishes include Feijoada (beef and pork stew with beans), Comida Baiana (fish and shellfish, hot peppers, coconut milk, and coriander), acaraje (deep-fried balls of dough) topped with hot peppers, shrimp, and Vatapa (a creamy sauce made from shrimp, coconut milk, and nuts).  For most Brazilians, lunch is the largest meal of the day.

2:00-5:00 pm: Work at volunteer placement

5:00 – 7:00:  Free time to explore the city, watch a soccer game or people doing Capoeira in the park, explore the cobblestone streets of the Pelourinho district, stroll along Boa Viagem Beach and Forte Monte Serrat, or visit some of the city’s many museums and shops.

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Dinners in Brazil are not typically hot meals, and usually consist of salads, soups, or sandwiches.

9:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Relax at home, watch a movie, practice Portuguese with your host family, read a book, prepare for the next day’s volunteering, or plan a weekend trip to Rio de Janeiro to take in the sights, the nearby beautiful beaches and islands to relax or go snorkeling, or further inland to Bahia’s beautiful countryside to explore or go hiking.

Project and class schedules, meals, and free time activities may vary depending on the details of your placement.

Eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in Brazilian culture.