Share enriching moments with local communities while supporting a variety of missions. You will have the opportunity to get involved in one of the following three projects: working with children, supporting people with disabilities, or helping in a community restaurant in the Azores, in the cities of Ponta Delgada and São Miguel.

The projects require a minimum commitment of 4 weeks due to their strong social dimension. You’ll be able to meet and share meaningful experiences with people from very diverse backgrounds.

1. Youth Animator Project

For this project, you will be working with children between 3 and 14 years old in a day-care center. Around a hundred children attend this center during school holidays or after school. Many activities are offered, and you will contribute by helping with supervision and animation.

Whether it’s teaching English, organizing workshops, or outdoor games, your support will help children develop skills and allow the center to offer a variety of fun and engaging activities.

Your role

Here are the missions you can expect:

• Design and lead fun activities.
• Organize creative workshops (painting, theater, music).
• Promote healthy habits through sports, outdoor games, and group outings.
• Support English learning with interactive exercises and homework help.
• Build relationships with the children and take an active part in their daily lives.

A kitchen and playrooms are available to interact with the children. You have great freedom in choosing and organizing activities. This will largely depend on your interests and skills. Your initiatives will be warmly welcomed.

2. Community Restaurant Project

Make a direct impact by helping to prepare, cook, and distribute meals to vulnerable communities on the island. In this program, you will join a community restaurant where meals are prepared by people in difficult situations (unemployment, social exclusion, etc.).

The social aspect of this project is also very important, and you will assist the restaurant staff with their daily tasks. It’s an opportunity to interact and immerse yourself in the local communities.

Your role

Your missions include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare and cook healthy and balanced meals for vulnerable communities.
• Maintain the kitchen: ensure hygiene and organization to provide a safe food preparation environment.
• Distribution logistics: help with meal preparation, packaging, and serving.

Depending on the needs at the time, your interests and skills, your responsibilities may vary. You may take part in all stages (preparation, cooking, distribution), and at times, you might collect food donations from local restaurants to distribute directly.

3. Project with People with Disabilities

In this project, you will be in contact with elderly people or individuals with disabilities, most of whom are deaf and mute. You will help organize fun and creative activities that foster personal development and social connection.

Your role

• Lead educational games, artistic workshops, and cultural activities.
• Prepare friendly social events (karaoke, quizzes, etc.).
• Organize gentle physical activities, walks, or yoga sessions.
• Encourage cultural exchanges through personal stories and discussion times.
• Sort, label, and store medications safely.
• Take part in the daily logistics of the facility.

These three programs allow you to fully immerse yourself in the country while being in close contact with local communities. You will have the chance to grow in a warm and friendly environment.