The Rio 1-Week Experience

I joined the 1-week experience program in Rio. I thought it was great and would recommend it to anyone who's considering volunteering abroad but is not sure what to expect. My program was quite intense and the days were quite busy. It included visiting the different Rio projects - Vasco, Santa Marta, Sao Guero, etc. Seeing how those projects impacted the communities they serve was very moving. We had the chance to meet other volunteers and get to know the locals a bit. We also had a chance to sigh-see and find our way around Santa Teresa, Centro, the beaches and major attractions.

The community members were very welcoming, Sylvie held a picnic for one of the departing volunteers, and Ze Luiz took us to a Flamengo game at the Maracana. I can't express my gratitude for such welcoming and kind people. I thought Rio was a beautiful city with many exciting things happening, but it was the people that made it a place you want to go back to again and again.

The volunteers were a group of good-hearted and hard working people who cared for each other and for the projects they were part of.

My only regret is not doing a longer project and contributing more fully to a local community and helping them achieve something long-lasting.

Special thanks to the staff, they were amazing (Zac, Monique, Vivi), thank you for making this a memorable experience.