Location: Santarem, Brazil
Housing: Lodging in the dormitory operated by our partner organization, Fundacao Esperanca
Travel Highlights: Program includes an Amazon boat trip, a guided Amazon hike, kayaking and local cultural and recreational activities
Amizade was founded in Brazil fifteen years ago and has cooperated with community partners in Santarem to construct youth centers, community centers, trade schools, and much, much more.
The Pastoral do Menor is a Brazilian non-governmental organization, under the social works umbrella of the Diocese of Santarém. The organization seeks to empower youth personally and professionally through educational courses, vocational training, academic support and recreational activities. As of 2011, the Pastoral serves more than 2,000 at-risk youth. To meet the growing demand, the Pastoral has been expanding its services by launching 13 new satellite centers dotting the periphery around the main center at the heart of the city.
For the last 15 years, Amizade has partnered with the Pastoral in their effort to open new centers in isolated communities. Without Amizade volunteer groups, development of the satellite centers necessarily stalls. The resources, time, and physical capital provided by Amizade volunteers is currently one of the only sources of investment in furthering the development of Pastoral peripheral programs.
This open group program will continue the construction of a satellite site in the Santarém neighbordhood called Alvorada. Amizde launched this construction project in 2009 and its completion is dependent on new or returning Amizade groups. There are already 80 registered youth at the Alvorada site. As a community-driven project, supported both in time and in action by families in the neighborhood, the registered youth and local Pastoral staff partner with Amizade by serving alongside our volunteers.
Program Dates and Fees: August 4-14, 2012: $1,573
Make a Deposit to Confirm Your Participation
Program Fee Includes:
Contribution to local service effort
Accommodations
Three meals per day
Local Transportation during program
Multiple educational, cultural and service activities
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Continuous support from local site director
Additional Program Related Expenses:
Airfare to Santarem, Brazil and other travel related expenses
Applicable passport or visa fees
Supplemental meals
Personal spending money
