Do volunteers speak Portuguese?

Usually, not. While we try to encourage them to study Portuguese before they get to Brazil, most of them will be learning as they go. It's a good idea to have someone around who speaks Spanish or English.

Do I have to pay for these volunteers?

It's a great gesture to offer a bed and some meals to these volunteers, but we make it clear to all inquiring volunteers that they should expect no form of compensation.

Why do strangers want to help us?

People are naturally curious about the world around them. Many people are familiar with Brazilian culture and are drawn to it for one reason or another. Traveling as a volunteer is a much more rewarding experience for tourists because they get the sort of intimate cross-cultural experience that only comes through communal work. They simply want to be a part of something exciting.