Volunteer in Rio de Janeiro for free.

Volunteering

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Volunteering

Volunteer in Rio de Janeiro with EduMais

Make a difference

Join EduMais as a volunteer in Rio de Janeiro and help change the lives of children and teenagers growing up in the challenging environment of the favelas.

As a volunteer, you’ll teach, guide, and make a lasting impact on our talented students.

At EduMais, we are proud of our committed local team and our international volunteers. Many come to volunteer abroad for a few months; others live in Rio de Janeiro permanently. The diversity of our team’s and volunteers’ backgrounds gives our kids a window into many worlds.

And the kids give our volunteers a window into theirs. They truly appreciate what their volunteer teachers do for them, so prepare yourself for smiles, hugs, and tears when you leave!

Volunteer Selection

We select our volunteers carefully and screen their backgrounds to protect the children at EduMais. Every applicant fills out an application form and takes part in an interview. Successful candidates then sign a volunteer agreement and our code of conduct (child protection) and submit a criminal record certificate.

Before joining our free volunteering programs, all volunteers are trained in our Positive Discipline and trauma-informed classroom methodology.

Once in Rio, our volunteers teach and share their knowledge with our children, giving the best of themselves every day.

What You Get Back as a Volunteer

Volunteers get a lot back, too. Volunteering in the favelas of Brazil is a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow, and the experience is life-changing for both our kids and our volunteers.

Can’t make it to Rio? You can still contribute from a distance. We always need help with social media, grant writing, and administrative tasks.

Our Volunteering Programs

No fees required to volunteer

EduMais is a small NGO in Brazil, and volunteering with us is 100% free. Although you are responsible for your flight, accommodation, and living costs, there is no program or participation fee. The time and love you give to our students are payment enough.

Minimum Volunteer Period

Real change takes time. That’s why EduMais needs volunteers who can stay for at least three months. Our children grow up in environments marked by instability. Short-term volunteering (less than three months) is not beneficial for them, as it prevents building the consistent, meaningful connections they truly need. What makes the difference is the presence of responsible, caring people who stay long enough to create trust, continuity, and impact.

In addition, our volunteer opportunities may be free, but they are still a challenge. Our students rely on their volunteer teachers. You must be professional and dedicated, no matter how strongly Ipanema beach calls!

But there’s a lot to be gained if you’re willing to give. Though we have clear targets, we’re open to new lesson-planning ideas and learning activities. In short, as a volunteer for EduMais, you’ll be an essential part of the project.

Your skills and knowledge will benefit at-risk young people. At the same time, you’ll gain confidence and new skills as you challenge yourself. Indeed, our volunteers say they learn as much from the kids as the kids do from them!

A volunteer smiling and engaging with a group of children in a classroom, as they stand in a circle holding hands during an activity

What our volunteering jobs offer you

Volunteering in Rio de Janeiro with EduMais offers many benefits for you and our kids. For example, you will have the chance to:

Volunteer for free in Rio de Janeiro, one of the world’s most exciting and beautiful cities!
Make a difference in the lives of at-risk children and teenagers.
Receive practical knowledge about Positive Discipline.
Make new friends and become a lifelong member of the EduMais family.
Receive special conditions from one of our partners, Books Hostel in Lapa. We can also help you find a more long-term place to stay.
Learn new skills and develop existing knowledge. As well as teaching experience, these include teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and people skills. In turn, this will boost your CV and future career prospects.
Discover the favela communities beneath the media headlines.
Gain invaluable real-world experience out of your comfort zone.
Feel inspired by the resolve and creativity of our students.
Support the children in our community and return home with a new outlook on your own life.
Improve your Portuguese
Get as much love and insight from the kids as you give them.
Receive a recommendation letter after completing your volunteer contract.

A volunteer teacher being warmly hugged by a group of smiling children in a classroom, showing joy and connection during an EduMais lesson

What is expected of you as a volunteer

As mentioned, just because volunteering with us is free does not mean it’s easy. To give the best to our students, we expect you to:

Be committed and punctual. The kids and the rest of the volunteer team will rely on you. We need you to be a reliable and positive team member.
Treat our students and other community residents with the respect and dignity they deserve
Share our mission and campaigns with your friends and family on social media.
Speak intermediate Portuguese (desirable). Speaking Portuguese will improve your interactions with our students, even though our classes are in English. If you want to take lessons, we recommend our partner, Caminhos Language Centre. They offer courses nearby for different levels at reasonable prices.
Attend volunteer meetings once a month for team building and feedback.
Write a blog post about your experience after you volunteer.
Fulfil your volunteering contract with us. The time we spend on volunteer applications and training is significant. Of course, unforeseen things can happen, but please carefully consider your ability to see your commitment through. It’s disheartening for us when this doesn’t happen.

A volunteer teacher leading an English lesson with students in Rio de Janeiro, standing in front of a whiteboard with classroom guidelines and tongue twisters, engaging the class in a fun learning activity

What you believe

All our volunteers play a vital role in upholding our values. Therefore, the following statements must speak to you:

Education changes lives
You want to make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate than you
Having a positive impact on the world drives you
All children deserve to be treated with dignity and respect
Challenging yourself is something you embrace
You take individual responsibility while working as an effective team member
Giving back to local communities and responsible tourism interest you
You are curious to know more about Positive Discipline, even if you have no working knowledge of it
You believe in equality, regardless of race, gender, age, or any other factor that might be used to form the basis of prejudice and discrimination