Education
Turma do Jiló's Youth Volunteering: Impact and Social Transformation
Youth aged 9 to 17 lead change and transform realities in Turma do Jiló's program.
Turma do Jiló's Youth Volunteering program empowers adolescents aged 9 to 17 to create social impact. Through meetings and practical activities, they learn about diversity and community support, and get hands-on experience in NGOs and local communities. Discover how this initiative is shaping the next generation of changemakers.
Turma do Jiló's Youth Volunteering is an invitation for adolescents, aged 9 to 17, to lead the changes they wish to see in the world. In a country where volunteer work still faces barriers and is often associated with a welfare-based model, the program proposes an innovative and transformative approach. Here, the energy, creativity, and empathy of youth are converted into concrete action, forming agents of social impact who truly make a difference.
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How Does Youth Volunteering Work?
After registering, participants embark on a journey of monthly meetings. These can be in-person, in downtown São Paulo, or held in smaller groups of up to 10 young people, sometimes even in one of their homes. The key differentiator is that the young people themselves choose the topics they wish to explore in depth, such as childhood, the elderly, gender issues, racism, people with disabilities, and mental health, among others.
From Reflection to Practical Action
Each topic is explored through dynamics, debates, videos, news, and texts, always with active listening and the participation of expert guests. This in-depth preparation is crucial, because after the discussions, the young people prepare for practical action. They visit NGOs, associations, or communities, putting their learning into practice in a conscious and planned way.
Stories That Inspire and Transform
Estela, one of the participants, recounts her experience: "We collected hygiene kits, created banners, talked with family and friends, and then we went to the community. Being with the children, understanding their reality, is very different and very cool." She emphasizes the importance of stepping out of one's bubble and putting oneself in someone else's shoes, an experience that, for her, is "unique" and "touching."
Another moving testimony came from an educator, who spoke about a conversation with an elderly woman named Carmen. When asked what advice she would give, Carmen replied: "Never give up." For the educator, seeing someone's entire life and the impact these encounters generate is something that gives her "goosebumps" and shows that the "seed planted" is germinating.
The Impact and Legacy of Youth Volunteering
The main differentiator of Youth Volunteering is the preparation. Participants arrive at NGOs already knowing the purpose of the visit, the topic being addressed, and what they will do. This ensures that the experience is significant and effective, avoiding mere welfare and promoting true engagement.
For educators, like the coordinator who has also been a teacher for 8 years, the project is a privilege and a constant challenge. It's seeing students "bursting their bubble" and "making a difference," a process that generates great emotion and the certainty of contributing to the formation of a new generation with social responsibility and critical thinking. Youth Volunteering is a journey of continuous evolution, where no one is left behind and the future is built on empathy and collective action.
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