Bahia Street offers two volunteer programs in Brazil. Bahia Street is not looking for volunteers to provide general support to the staff of Bahia Center because we believe that as much of the Center’s work as possible should be performed by those who live in the local community.
(1) JANUARY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: In 2008, five individuals from the U.S. and U.K. spent 2 1/2 weeks at the Bahia Street Center getting the facility prepared for the new school year. Participants reported that they had a fantastic time, with the daily lunch together with Bahia Street staff noted as the highlight! As one past participant explained: “Volunteering at the Center allowed us to join an instant community, not be a traveler or outsider. The beauty of volunteering at the Bahia Street Center is that you can see the trail that you leave.”
For January 2009: Bahia Street is pleased to offer this volunteer program again, engaging individuals in painting and cleaning the Bahia Street Center in time for the new school year in Bahia. We are now accepting applications for the 2009 January work party. For more information: January Volunteer Information. To apply, please fill out the January Volunteer Application Form (pdf version) or January Volunteer Application Form (word doc version).
(2) ENGLISH TEACHER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM Latest information (June 2008): Bahia Street has made placements for all 2008 and Spring 2009 positions. We are maintaining a waiting list should a cancellation occur and encourage interested individuals to let us know should an opening occur. Our next openings start in July 2009. Look here for more English Teacher Volunteer Information.
The Bahia Street volunteer program is designed to give participants a personal experience with a non-governmental organization working to promote education and social justice. Bahia Street is specifically looking for experienced volunteers to help them in their mission by implementing the school’s English language curriculum. English is an important subject given the school’s proximity to the city’s tourist center and its importance in university entrance.
If you are interested in becoming an English Language Instructor at the Bahia Street Center, please see if you are a good fit with the following requirements:
· General Eligibility: Volunteers must be at least 21 years old. They must be comfortable working independently and have activities in addition to those at the Bahia Street Center, such as university or cultural classes, so that they have things to do outside of their volunteer responsibilities.
· Language Requirement: Volunteers should have some knowledge of Portuguese since it is the only language spoken at the Bahia Street Center. Individuals interested in volunteering who do not speak any Portuguese are strongly encouraged to take 2-4 weeks of intensive Portuguese in Salvador prior to starting their volunteer position.
· Preferred Experience: Volunteers should have some previous experience working with children. Given the Center’s student-centered approach to education, volunteers should have a warm approach to children and ability to be fun and engaged with students with diverse interests and abilities. Volunteers should be aware of cultural differences in teaching. Absolute silence and stillness should not be expected. Previous experience working or living in a developing country is also a necessity. English as a Second Language Certification is preferred but not required.
· Length of stay: Ideally, volunteers stay for roughly 3 months (note: the length of a typical tourist visa is 90 days). Start dates should be arranged through the Bahia Street office in Seattle, Washington (USA) since we can only take two volunteers at a time. The Bahia Street school year (like the Brazilian school year) runs from the start of March until the first week of December. Please note that Carnival typically happens in February each year, and the Center is closed during Carnival, as well as other major holidays.
· Compatibility with Our Philosophy: Volunteers must understand and support Bahia Street’s educational philosophy. Bahia Street was created by and is currently run by individuals who came from the backgrounds in which the Bahia Street students presently live. Our directors and teachers came from Salvador’s economically-disadvantaged, primarily African-Brazilian shantytowns or Bahia’s rural interior and have made their way through university. These educators are the students’ role models as well as their teachers. The English teacher is the only exception to this. It is critical that the volunteer English teacher understands his or her role within the Bahia Street educational program. They must be comfortable taking direction from local directors.
English Instructor Responsibilities: Volunteers will teach two classes. Two of these classes meet for approximately one hour each day and involve Bahia Street students organized by age into two groups. Possibly, a third class for community members may meet once or twice a week. Given this class schedule, it is expected that the volunteer be at the Center 12-14 hours per week.
Housing and Costs: Volunteers are responsible for paying for their own housing and personal costs. To live comfortably in Salvador, volunteers can expect to allocate monthly:
R$400-800 for rent
R$300 for food
R$150 for transportation
R$100 for internet and other costs
Prices vary widely.
Bahia Street charges a placement fee of $300 for all of its Brazil-based volunteer programs. This fee covers the staffing costs associated with the volunteer program, both in Brazil and US. This fee will be refunded if a placement cannot be made. It is non-refundable should the volunteer cancel.
Application Process: If you would like to apply to Bahia Street, please fill out the English Teacher Volunteer Application Form and email it to Bahia Street Program Director Nancy Bacon (nancy@bahiastreet.org) along with a letter of interest and resume, and we will respond as quickly as possible. If you are accepted into the program you will also be required to fill out and send a Volunteer Liability Form and pay the $300 program fee. Please note that we can not confirm a placement too far in advance because we need to respond to the needs of the Center, and things change. We tend to make placements around 8 months in advance.
Bahia Street provides orientation materials to all confirmed volunteers.
Additional opportunities in and around Salvador: There is a lot to do in Salvador. From Portuguese language classes to Samba dancing to the martial art form of capoeira—your days can be filled with activity. Salvador is considered one of the world’s centers of the African diaspora, making it an interesting place to learn about issues of race, class, and culture. It is our hope that volunteers get involved in educational opportunities of interest to them. Outside of Salvador, volunteers are strongly encouraged to take weekends and holidays to explore the beautiful Chapada Diamantina mountainous region of Bahia as well as the breathtaking beaches the run northward from Salvador.
Please note:
Volunteers and trip participants are advised to contact the Brazilian Embassy to confirm current visa requirements and regulations before purchasing airline tickets to Brazil. Bahia Street is not responsible for providing visa information for trip planning purposes.
Bahia Street advises participants to purchase travel insurance that covers the loss of personal property and valuables, including airline tickets and passports.
For more information, please email Nancy Bacon at nancy@bahiastreet.org, or call at (206)633-1724 in the U.S.
