Amizade Volunteer Program in the Brazilian Amazon
- Brazil
About Program
As you travel 500 miles up from the mouth of the muddy brown waters of the Amazon, you come to encounter the 'Encontras de Aguas' where the dark blue waters of the Tapajo's River flow into the Amazon off the shores of Santarem. Here, pink and gray dolphins play under the mango trees as exotic birds fly overhead. Santarem, a city of 250,000 people, is a true melting pot of Native American, African, European, and Asian cultures and customs, but it is 100% Brazilian. Samba and Boi Bumba music fill the air and the hearts of the people. Even though Santarem is a tropical paradise, the majority of the people live in abject poverty. Due to the exploitation of resources, including cutting thousands of acres of forest, over-fishing, and mining, the waters of the two rivers are becoming increasingly more polluted, and employment opportunities are dwindling.
Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here. Learn more about how Amizade, LTD. is promoting ethical volunteering.
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Brazil is home to 2,000+ beaches, 1,000+ islands, and 62 national parks, not to mention an array of carnivals, sporting events, and other city-wide events. Visit the Amazon and Iguacu Falls for a taste of nature, or opt for city life in Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.
