Learn from the unique culture of Brasilia de Minas, Brazil helping in a wide range of cultural projects

Details

• 

  Description

  We are a private non-profit association. We are offering free access to artistic and cultural courses and events to the community of Brasilia de Minas. Through those actions, we expect people become more resilient and aware of the complexity of the world we live in.
  Our team is composed by a group of friends. We started our socio-artistic work in 1998. At that time, a group of children were living on the streets and were suffering from abuse. We decided to take them under our wings. We rented a small house in order to give them food and a shelter. We also convinced them to come to that house to learn about art (theater, circus and music), respect, dignity and love. Since that moment, they no longer lived on the streets again.
  Since 1998, the situation of the city evolved and our project changed in the same time. On 01/08/2013, we started a new project. We offer to the community of Brasilia de Minas and its region, for free, a place where people can socialize through qualitative classes and artistic-cultural events. Therefore, we’re working with a team composed of artists and teachers from all over the world.
  This new place is open to everybody. Right now, we have more than 500 people participating in our different classes. We are working a lot with children but we want to give all people a chance to develop themselves. Not only by learning new techniques but also by socializing with other people and other cultures, which is by far not possible for every soul in Brazil.
  Here is the experience of one volunteer and friend we have had here for several times: 'When I first came here as a Dutchy two years ago (January 2016), I came here to visit my friend Leo, who is in the team here. I got sucked in to this place though and now I have a lot of friends here and will try to help from other parts in the world in all kind of forms. Brasilia de Minas is a very friendly place with a beautiful unique culture'.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Teaching

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ×

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Brasilia de Minas has a very unique culture, from which you can always learn. If you are interested in learning the language, this is the place to be, because people here take there time for you and are very patient. The experience of our Dutch friend and volunteer; ' I have travelled in many different cultures, but I have never experienced so much hospitality as here (something that more individualized societies can learn a lot from). For the rest, we are musicians, poets, work with art and theater and work with kids, so there are many many things we can learn each other! '

• 

  Help

  The house is already running smooth, but we are always looking to keep developing with new insights. You will be totally free in how you can help in, in your own creative way. For instance teaching something specific, like English, to the kids here would be very helpfull. Some specific tasks you could help us with;
  
  -Theater and music set up (for instance building up the scenery)
  -Setting up tents for when we have an art market in town
  -Cleaning
  
  Every monday we come together and make a roster of who does what in the upcoming week (but still this roster is very flexible :) ).

• 

  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent

• 

  Accommodation

  Let's say that this place consists of two parts. One part is the museum where the events happen and where people can walk in every day to have a look, have a chat, play an instrument, read a book.
  The other part is for the staff, where there is a kitchen (with everything necessary to cook), bathroom (with shower), living room and two bedrooms (one for girls, one for boys - or couple depending on the availability).
  There is always bread, coffee, cheesebread here for breakfast, and we also provide food for lunch and dinner you can cook in the kitchen (and sometimes we will cook altogether). Of course, you can also buy the groceries you want.
  You will be sleeping in on of the two bedrooms and can use all of the facilities that belong to our house.

• 

  What else ...

  There are several daily buses from the main cities around (Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, etc ...) and also flights to reach Montes Claros, from where you can take the bus to Brasilia de Minas (which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes).
  We will pick you up from the bus stop and start our beautiful time together. The idea of cultural exchange is still new here, which means you will be among the first foreigners to come here. Therefore, people in the town are even more interested, enthousiastic and open armed.
  Also, although we like to do things professionally, we do it in a non-stressful way. For instance, if you like to develop your teaching skills in a specific entertaining way, this is your place, you will have as much freedom as possible.
  In this place you will never feel alone. People like to come together here and if you want to, you will be part of that. For instance, the culture house is kind of attached to the main square, where people like to come together to have some food or drink a beer. But of course, you always have the freedom to just watch a movie in your bedroom, or to see what's around Brasilia de Minas. There are some beautiful waterfalls and caves around that you could visit.
  Of course, you can get some free days and travel around in Minas Gerais, for instance to Ouro Preto or Diamantina (and if you get the chance to go to Milho Verde, go there!).
  At last, now we can manage to speak English, French, Spanish and Chinese Mandarin to receive you in the best possible way.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Feedback (11)