Gringoes.com: I cant find anywhere to volunteer!

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Capybara
Senior Member

Joined: 08 July 2011
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 206

Topic: I cant find anywhere to volunteer!
Posted: 24 May 2012 at 21:12

Im trying to find a local volunteer gig and holy hell is it frustrating. It seems like the ONGs here either dont use volunteers at all or only want to take on folks able to do 20+ hours/week. A few churches have one-time opporunities, but thats it. Would love to find something 1-2 days/week. Ive been doing some volunteer translation, but its 100% from home, would rather get out and active...

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sven
Gringoes.com Guru

Joined: 14 March 2007
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 12796

Posted: 24 May 2012 at 21:30

Start doin volunteer english classes in some of the poor areas.

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jess
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Joined: 04 April 2012
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Posts: 79

Posted: 24 May 2012 at 22:12

You're in Rio?

Get in touch with Zezinho in Rocinha (http://lifeinrocinha.blogspot.com/)

or the organization '2 brothers' there.

http://www.2bros.org/

Either or both may have some ideas for you.

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Gringo.Floripa
Gringoes.com Guru

Joined: 17 June 2010
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 4553

Posted: 24 May 2012 at 23:02

Brasil is unfortunately a bit behind when it comes to helping those less fortunate. I have been researching on how to set up an educational trust, but it appears no such vehicle exists here. Recently dealt with a parent in the US having hospice care at home. Amazing what that provides, and avoids! Yet quite distraught to learn the hospice concept does not exist in Brasil. You might need to blaze your own trail, if your heart is set on giving something back....

Edited by Gringo.Floripa - 24 May 2012 at 23:05

I might bark, but I don't bite.

(trolls, sock puppets, Brasil-bashers, and "Joined:Today" persons too lazy to use the Search function excluded; cry babies too)

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nikkij12185
Senior Member

Joined: 10 March 2009
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 1725

Posted: 24 May 2012 at 23:06

It took me forever to find a decent volunteer position. I finally started working with the bandeirantes as a scout leader. Lots of fun!

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3casas
Gringoes.com Guru

Joined: 02 November 2006
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 3597

Posted: 25 May 2012 at 07:47

when we first moved here it was the same thing. either they wanted a full time person as a volunteer (not happening) or nothing. I went to the local orphanage and offered free English classes for the older kids and was told, no, those kids don't need to speak english, but could I teach the director? I said no.
my kid's school had no need or desire for parental participation..... the church was creepy.... never figured that one out. nikki, scouts is a good idea. assuming the new neighborhood has scouts (which my kid is interested in too) i may look into that.

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Capybara
Senior Member

Joined: 08 July 2011
Location: Brazil
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 206

Posted: 25 May 2012 at 09:59

GF, I think youre right on the blaze your own trail thing. Any idea on how to get something started legally?

Would love do something in the womens issues area...

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3casas
Gringoes.com Guru

Joined: 02 November 2006
Location: Brazil
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3597

Posted: 25 May 2012 at 10:08

you might want to contact your local Delegacia da mulher and see if they have any ideas. (doubtful, but possible)

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Capybara
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Joined: 08 July 2011
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 206

Posted: 25 May 2012 at 10:37

A very good idea, 3c!

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jess
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Joined: 04 April 2012
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Posts: 79

Posted: 25 May 2012 at 10:52

You can check out the blog of this woman whose maid introduced her to a nearby favela in Salvador that she "adopted".

http://www.cascalheirabrazil.blogspot.com/

Sounds like she has run out of steam though.

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Vent Your Frustrations
Gringoes.com : Brazil : Vent Your Frustrations

Author	Message
Capybara Senior Member Joined: 08 July 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Topic: I cant find anywhere to volunteer! Posted: 24 May 2012 at 21:12
	Im trying to find a local volunteer gig and holy hell is it frustrating. It seems like the ONGs here either dont use volunteers at all or only want to take on folks able to do 20+ hours/week. A few churches have one-time opporunities, but thats it. Would love to find something 1-2 days/week. Ive been doing some volunteer translation, but its 100% from home, would rather get out and active...

	IP Logged

sven Gringoes.com Guru Joined: 14 March 2007 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 12796	Posted: 24 May 2012 at 21:30
	Start doin volunteer english classes in some of the poor areas.
	IP Logged

jess Groupie Joined: 04 April 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 79	Posted: 24 May 2012 at 22:12
	You're in Rio? Get in touch with Zezinho in Rocinha (http://lifeinrocinha.blogspot.com/) or the organization '2 brothers' there. http://www.2bros.org/ Either or both may have some ideas for you.
	IP Logged

Gringo.Floripa Gringoes.com Guru Joined: 17 June 2010 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 4553	Posted: 24 May 2012 at 23:02
	Brasil is unfortunately a bit behind when it comes to helping those less fortunate. I have been researching on how to set up an educational trust, but it appears no such vehicle exists here. Recently dealt with a parent in the US having hospice care at home. Amazing what that provides, and avoids! Yet quite distraught to learn the hospice concept does not exist in Brasil. You might need to blaze your own trail, if your heart is set on giving something back.... Edited by Gringo.Floripa - 24 May 2012 at 23:05
	I might bark, but I don't bite. (trolls, sock puppets, Brasil-bashers, and "Joined:Today" persons too lazy to use the Search function excluded; cry babies too)
	IP Logged

nikkij12185 Senior Member Joined: 10 March 2009 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 1725	Posted: 24 May 2012 at 23:06
	It took me forever to find a decent volunteer position. I finally started working with the bandeirantes as a scout leader. Lots of fun!
	IP Logged

3casas Gringoes.com Guru Joined: 02 November 2006 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 3597	Posted: 25 May 2012 at 07:47
	when we first moved here it was the same thing. either they wanted a full time person as a volunteer (not happening) or nothing. I went to the local orphanage and offered free English classes for the older kids and was told, no, those kids don't need to speak english, but could I teach the director? I said no. my kid's school had no need or desire for parental participation..... the church was creepy.... never figured that one out. nikki, scouts is a good idea. assuming the new neighborhood has scouts (which my kid is interested in too) i may look into that.
	IP Logged

Capybara Senior Member Joined: 08 July 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 25 May 2012 at 09:59
	GF, I think youre right on the blaze your own trail thing. Any idea on how to get something started legally? Would love do something in the womens issues area...
	IP Logged

3casas Gringoes.com Guru Joined: 02 November 2006 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 3597	Posted: 25 May 2012 at 10:08
	you might want to contact your local Delegacia da mulher and see if they have any ideas. (doubtful, but possible)
	IP Logged

Capybara Senior Member Joined: 08 July 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 25 May 2012 at 10:37
	A very good idea, 3c!
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jess Groupie Joined: 04 April 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 79	Posted: 25 May 2012 at 10:52
	You can check out the blog of this woman whose maid introduced her to a nearby favela in Salvador that she "adopted". http://www.cascalheirabrazil.blogspot.com/ Sounds like she has run out of steam though.
	IP Logged