Group Voluntários Engajados makes a difference in the lives of hospitalized children and youths

Members dress up to bring toys and hygiene items to hospitals in Rio de Janeiro

04.12.23

Starting on Children’s Day in 2013, the group Voluntários Engajados is a project that aims to bring more joy to the lives of young people who are hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro. Their first action took place at the  Hospital Municipal Jesus in Vila Isabel, in the North Zone of the city. 

Leandro Rangel, the group’s leader, explains that since that first action, when they all dressed up and brought toys and hygiene items to the hospitalized children (who are the children of people in socioeconomic vulnerability), they realized that the brief moments they could spend there playing and interacting with the children, talking to the parents and healthcare professionals, made a big difference in everyone’s lives. On that occasion, they also brought motivational handicrafts to give to the families and small souvenirs for the professionals, because they understood that everyone there deserves attention during the group’s visits. 

Today, the group has grown and can operate in six hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro. They visit these hospitals on special occasions throughout the year, such as Carnival, Easter, Festa Junina, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Children’s Day, and Christmas. The actions are always themed, and the group participants always work to find new ways of engagement. In between these actions, they dedicate time to other groups. 

They have also been involved in environmental and animal causes, as well as visits to nursing homes and underprivileged communities, where they seek to bring joy to the lives of children and young people living in these places. The volunteers always try to diversify their focus of engagement, proposing monthly activities to deliver collected donations. Leandro Rangel speaks about the initiative. 

“We all know that the hospital environment is very cold, and not all groups that used to perform in such places before the pandemic have returned, so it is a surprise, a great joy for the children when they see all those happy, costumed people having a party, giving gifts. It breaks the sad routine that is part of these children’s daily lives. We always try to bring words of hope, we tell them that being there is the best place for them at that moment because, if needed, there is a medical team ready. We also encourage the children to eat because many lose their appetite, we tell them that this situation is temporary and that everything will soon pass. And we do it in a very playful and loving way.” 

Main activities of the project

The group engages in games and playful activities, storytelling, representing children’s characters, and a lot of music. They also provide support and distribute meals to people living on the streets, as well as other activities like visiting nursing homes. 

But Leandro says that one single act does not make a whole action: the more people and companies join and support this chain of good for young patients, elderly people in nursing homes, and the homeless, little by little, we will build a better world. 

The group also needs administrative volunteers, artisans to create small souvenirs, photographers, video editors, designers to create campaign artwork, writers to produce texts and captions, and musicians with their own instruments. 

Leandro concludes by saying that the group has managed to make a difference and aims to achieve the goal of raising a thousand reais per month to donate to supporting institutions. 

You have various ways to support the group: 

Voluntários Engajados need promoters and influencers to increase visibility and attract more followers on social media, with the aim of increasing fundraising. Additionally, you can request the campaign artwork, made monthly, and promote it on your social media to give voice to the group, or make online purchases and provide the address of an institution for direct delivery. 

It is also possible to make deliveries at the designated collection points indicated by the group, collect donations, make donations via Pix (a Brazilian instant payment system), and finally, you can throw a solidarity birthday party – and depending on the amount raised, the money will be transferred to the supported institution for that month, or it can be divided to benefit several institutions throughout the months. 

To find out how to apply for a volunteer position, donate, and get other information, send a message through the group’s social media or get in touch with Leandro Rangel at +55 (21) 997757964 (also available on WhatsApp). 

In the future, the group plans to produce a documentary about its journey so far. Stay tuned! 

Liked the project? 

Follow Voluntários Engajados on Instagram and join the private Facebook group! You can also find them on LinkedIn.

To find out how to apply for a volunteer position, make donations and other information, send a message through the group’s social networks or contact Leandro Rangel by phone: +55 (21) 9 9775-7964 (also WhatsApp).

Neuza Nascimento
After being a domestic worker for over 40 years, Neuza founded and ran the NGO CIACAC for 15 years. Currently, she is a journalism student and works with creative writing, field research and transcriptions. At Lupa do Bem, she is responsible for bringing reflections and stories from organizations from different parts of Brazil to "Coluna da Neuza".
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