Project Favela — Local services in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

Volunteering at Project Favela was one of the best experiences of my life! Getting to know the favela in such a different, more personal, way was great, and especially getting to know the other volunteers and the kids!! The house the volunteers live in is easy to clean, and if taken care of regularly, it is really comfortable and clean. There is a landry on the corner for volunteers to wash their clothes, and there are containers and specific places in the fridge for volunteers to keep their food. When I first arrived, I had never taught kids, but I got pointers from Scott and other previous volunteers, which was soooo helpful. The entire experience really depends on how well a volunteer can adapt, seeing as we have to learn to have fun and make things interesting for the students as well as keeping the discipline and actually teaching an informative class. When you find that balance, everything becomes fun and the bond with the kids just gets stronger! Overall, this whole experience has taught me so much and is something I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you so much to Scott, Milene, my fellow volunteers from all around the world, and especially the kids who taught me so much, made me feel so welcome and have been the cutest, most energetic, funny, and intelligent students ever!!! (Also, during my stay at Project Favela, one of the volunteers didn't quite understand the purpose of the school, and because of that created a lot of problems. Unfortunately, she has asked her family and friends to put negative reviews on here, and has added some herself. Please please please don't take into consideration reviews with no explanations! This was a really amazing experience and it would be a shame to not come and miss this opportunity because of someone who hasn't even participated properly in...

I have been volunteering at project favela for 2 months and it is by far one of the best things i have ever done.

The location of the school is great, it’s safe in tabajaras and very close to stores, bars and restaurants.

The school itself is a lovely building full of life and colour. the school has been open for only 1 month so far, so it is still growing. The size of the school is perfectly adequate for its purpose, there are 2 bedrooms upstairs with 3 beds in each.

The place relies on volunteers cleaning it, so if it’s not cleaned then it can get messy. But if you are able to clean up after yourself you will be just fine! It’s a school, children are messy.

Classes are mainly in the morning right now. The children are given a snack in the morning just to make sure they have eaten, as sometimes they have not eaten at all.

The teachers and the director are just great. Sometimes it’s not easy, but it’s all worth it. Everyone is constantly working so hard to keep the school going, it’s truly amazing.

The children are by far the best part of the project. They will fill your heart. If you are able to be firm but kind, you will do well here.

I would ask you to please disregard the previous negative view of the project. I was at the project for the entire duration of this particular persons stay, and i can honestly say the review is completely false. It is a malice attempt to attack the project, with no...

I just finished my two months of volunteering at Project Favela. These two months have been by far the most amazing time of my life. It has been hard work, struggle, a learning experience with its ups and downs and its frustrations, but the most rewarding and fulfilling experience I've ever had. I am beyond thankful for this time. The kids' life stories are heart breaking. Yet the kids are amazing, even with their problems and timely bad behaviour. They light up the day with their energy, joy, smiles and laugh! And when you the least expect it, they will surprise you with a deed that comes out of a pure and selfless heart. I've learned so much from these kids! Taking the time to get to really know the kids and actually wanting to get to know them, you will bond and connect with them and have so many special moments with them in school and outside of school. Saying goodbye to the kids will break your heart.

If you are thinking about coming to volunteer at Project Favela, come if you genuinely want to work with these kids and the project. Make the kids the priority and your time here will be amazing. All the rest; the fact you'll be in Rio, living near Copacabana and having the opportunity to see and experience all this city has to offer, is just an added bonus. In the end, what I will miss the most is the kids and the sweet moments with them, not the tourist...