Education
Youth Volunteering: Transforming Lives at Turma do Jiló
Discover how Turma do Jiló's project shapes young leaders for a more inclusive and just world
Turma do Jiló introduces its Youth Volunteering project, focused on empowering adolescents aged 11 to 20 for inclusive volunteer work. The initiative promotes debates, field trips, and critical thinking development, breaking down barriers and building bridges. Young participants like Lis and Lulu share their experiences of how the project transformed them into agents of change.
In this Turma do Jiló live broadcast, Carola Videira, the organization's founder, and Tatiana Sayegh, the project's lead educator, unveil the pillars of Youth Volunteering. They feature the moving testimonials of two volunteers, Lis Mendes and Maria Luiza Gayotto (Lulu), who recount their transformative experiences. The discussion reveals how the initiative goes beyond mere assistance, cultivating empathy and diversity among Brazilian youth.
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The Origin of an Inclusive Movement
Turma do Jiló, an inclusive ecosystem and non-profit organization, was born from the desire to promote Inclusive Education in Brazil. Carola Videira, inspired by a philanthropy forum in 2017, realized that living with diversity was the key to social transformation. Upon her return, she invited Tatiana Sayegh to design a project that would go beyond the welfare-based model of volunteering, teaching young people to "fish" rather than just "giving them a fish."
The goal is to develop critical thinkers who understand the complexities of diversity — whether in gender, race, ethnicity, mental health, or sexual orientation. "We don't really have literal inclusive education," Carola explains. "We don't know how to talk about the differences of a child with a disability, or about cultural and religious issues. If we know how to talk about it, it takes a ton of weight off our shoulders." The project aims to demystify taboos and build a vocabulary of respect.
Methodology and Impact: Beyond the Ordinary
Youth Volunteering is designed for adolescents aged 11 to 20 and stands out for its profound and welcoming methodology. "It's not just about doing volunteer work; it's about learning how to do it," Tatiana states. Activities include:
- Monthly meetings: Discussion circles, debates, films, and texts at Turma do Jiló's headquarters, with groups of about 20 young people.
- Emotional preparation: Teaches young people how to prepare for the realities they will encounter and offers post-volunteering support.
- "Giló na Rua" (Jiló on the Street): Practical semi-annual outings, usually on Saturdays, where young people apply what they learn in various communities.
- In-depth study: Before each action, there is a cultural, quantitative, and qualitative study of the cause or target audience.
The team, composed of Tatiana, Graziela, and Giovana, is supported by Carola as a mentor, drawing inspiration from her life story and capacity for transformation. "Looking at diversity is just that. It's a movement from the inside out and from the outside in," Tatiana reflects, highlighting the personal growth the project provides to everyone involved, including parents and staff. Currently, the project has 56 students, impacting not only the young people but also their families and communities.
Voices of Change: Lis and Lulu Share Their Stories
Lis Mendes, 13 years old, a volunteer since 2019, recounts how the project taught her to "delve deeper into topics" and to "see everything that is happening in the world." She participated in projects like "Mãos na Massa" (Hands-On), where she helped renovate a wheelchair user's home, and the "Catálogo Inspirador" (Inspiring Catalog), a project for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where she represented Turma do Jiló, teaching adults about the importance of inclusion. For Lis, Youth Volunteering "bursts the bubble" of her own reality.
Maria Luiza Gayotto (Lulu), in turn, highlights her personal transformation: "I was very afraid to speak my mind. I was very insecure... With the youth volunteering project, I became much more confident, much more independent." Lulu participated in various outings, such as the "Gerando Falcões" (Generating Falcons) project, where graffiti and interactions in communities taught her "how much I could learn from others." She also had the unique experience of speaking at the UN in New York to a packed audience, representing Brazil and Turma do Jiló, an experience that connected her with young people from various parts of the world. During the quarantine, the project maintained connection through online meetings and activities, proving that even from a distance, hearts can be connected.
Building Bridges for the Future
Turma do Jiló's Youth Volunteering is an investment in the future, transforming privileged young people into adults with social consciousness and the ability to build bridges to reduce inequalities. It teaches that true giving is not about offering the "worst" of what you have, but about valuing others and understanding that everyone deserves the "new." It is a movement that inspires empathy, demystifies differences, and empowers the new generation to be protagonists in building a more just and inclusive society. As Lulu summarized: "Little by little, we are transforming the world."
To join or learn more, contact them via Instagram @voluntariado_jovem or @turmadojilo. The team is ready to welcome new volunteers and families committed to this noble purpose.
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