Rio Carnival, Community Project, Brazil to Bolivia

Product Details

Join a Quest Team in Brazil for three months combining a three-week intensive Portuguese course in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, followed by a one-month community project in the shanty town of Mangueira helping the kids prepare for the Rio Carnival, all followed by an epic journey from the golden coast of Brazil to the Bolivian Highlands.

The Language Phase

Located in the heart of the Ipanema district of Rio, you and your team are perfectly situated for Portuguese lessons in the morning and play in the afternoon. With the beaches and beautiful people of Rio on your doorstep you'll have a chance to practice your speaking skills with the friendly locals and gain a true feel for the Brazilian way of life!

The Placement

Help to bring sunshine, support and fun to the lives of kids living in Rio’s favelas. One day you'll be working with young people who have learning difficulties, painting, playing games or taking them on excursions to the beach. On another you could be organising environmental activities with the children from the local infant school. You'll also have the unique experience of taking part in the Rio Carnival, attending rehearsals and the parade itself. You will work in three main areas...

1. Casa Lar - The project focuses around the home for young people with learning difficulties. These young people require special attention and so families unable to cope have been forced to abandon their children into this special home. The home provides regular attention from four full time staff but due to a lack of help they can do little more than tend to their day-to-day needs. With your help, trips to the beach, the park or the zoo become possible and you can help bring laughter and sunshine into their lives.

2. Carnival - Mangueira is home to one of the greatest samba schools in the country and has participated in the Rio Carnival since 1927. Volunteers will have the opportunity to attend rehearsals and accompany the young people from Casa Lar to help them to perform. The reward is one that few Westerners can experience, which is to be part of the actual carnival. You will have the opportunity to be part of the parade, dancing with the carnival troupe! Quest volunteers will help the young people prepare for the children's carnival and take part themselves, you'll experience every aspect of this three-day non-stop celebration - and then you'll hit the streets and shake it!

3. Children's School - Your team will organise and run a range of environmental educational activities with the children of Tia Neuma Infant School.

The Expedition

This is a fantastic opportunity to experience two of the most contrasting countries in South America. From the beach culture of Rio de Janeiro to the ancient civilisations of Lake Titicaca, from the wild wetlands of the Pantanal to the dizzying heights of the Andes, South America cannot fail to fill you with wonder. You'll hang glide over Rio then dance in its hottest nightspots, go white water rafting, take wildlife canoeing safaris, visit Inca ruins, drive through the crazy Dali-esque landscapes of the Bolivian Salt Flats and climb the icy heights surrounding La Paz. This is an awesome journey sampling the diverse flavours these countries have to offer.

>Why Quest?

Quite simply because we have the best reputation in the gap year market. We are second to none when it comes to safety, value for money and downright fun! We've also raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for our charities overseas and we have long-term commitments to our project sites. If you'd like to speak to a past student they would be more than happy to bend your ear on everything you could get up to – just give us a call in the office for contact details.