Built on an established local foundation.
Comunidade Rio Flow is a Brazilian NGO based in Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro, working within established community relationships in Vidigal, Rocinha and the Rio de Janeiro public school system.
Our history & local foundation
Comunidade Rio Flow works closely with SER Alzira da Aleluia, a Brazilian nonprofit organisation founded in 2003 by Elma and Antônio Aleluia.
SER Alzira has a long-standing presence in Vidigal and provides the local foundation for community programmes serving children, young people and families.
We developed from this local foundation, combining community-based education with international exchange.
SER Alzira da Aleluia was founded by Elma and Antônio Aleluia — a long-standing presence in Vidigal and the local foundation for programmes serving children, young people and families.
James Robson arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 2023, bringing experience in educational management, language-immersion programmes and student leadership. A 2019 Economics graduate of McGill University, he had spent two years managing McGill’s MWS Student Camps. Initially arriving as a volunteer, he built relationships within the local community and began developing the project that would become Comunidade Rio Flow.
Today, Comunidade Rio Flow works across education, sports, arts, social entrepreneurship, internships and research in Vidigal, Rocinha and the Rio de Janeiro public school system.
Mission
Our principal mission is to provide high-quality, free after-school language immersion programmes for children and young people in Rio's low-income communities.
We combine English language learning with sports, arts and cultural activities, creating opportunities for students to practise English in meaningful and engaging environments.
We aim to inspire young people, strengthen their language skills and help expand their future educational and professional opportunities. We are committed to providing classes to a standard comparable with professional, fee-charging educational institutions elsewhere in Rio.
Beyond language
Comunidade Rio Flow is also a space for international learning and exchange around:
- Ethical tourism
- Civic engagement
- Social entrepreneurship
- Grassroots organisations
- Youth empowerment
- International exchange
We welcome international students, volunteers and experienced practitioners who can contribute meaningfully to locally identified needs.
Our values
Inclusivity
We create spaces where people from different backgrounds can genuinely learn from each other.
Fun
We believe learning and connection happen best in environments that are engaging, playful and human.
Reliability
High-quality coordination and facilitation: we rely on experienced coordinators to ensure structure, safety and educational quality.
Humility
We stay aware of power dynamics, our limitations, and the responsibility of working in this context.
How the education model works
- LeadLocal qualified teachers and programme coordinators provide continuity, curriculum, classroom management, student relationships and quality control.
- ComplementVolunteers, interns and students bring additional language exposure, energy, skills, ideas and international perspectives.
- LearnStudents use English through sport, arts, conversation and real-world interaction.
Quality control
Qualified teachers lead each class. Programme coordinators provide continuity and oversight, while the Programme Director and Programme Coordinator maintain quality control. Experienced practitioners from around the world regularly visit for short stays to review programmes and improve the curriculum.
Our core team
Our core team unites Brazilian and local community knowledge with the expertise of experienced international professionals in education, law, tourism, youth development and programme management.
Our team is majority Brazilian, with Brazilian citizens and permanent residents working alongside experienced international professionals.
James Robson
President of the NGO · Programme Director · Social Entrepreneurship Lead
James Robson arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 2023, bringing experience in educational management, language-immersion programmes and student leadership. A 2019 Economics graduate of McGill University, he had spent two years managing McGill’s MWS Student Camps. Initially arriving as a volunteer, he built relationships within the local community and began developing the project that would become Comunidade Rio Flow.
Ana Carol Leers
NGO Director
A qualified lawyer with many years of experience in Rio de Janeiro's state criminal justice system and the Tribunal de Justiça do Rio de Janeiro. Ana Carol has lived and worked in several countries and is committed to creating international exchange opportunities for students from low-income communities in Rio.
Filipe Barbosa
NGO Director
Brings approximately 15 years of experience in international luxury tourism. Having grown up in similar circumstances in São Paulo, he is passionate about the way languages and international exposure can open opportunities for young people.
Luciano Fernandes Calixto
Programme Coordinator
Recently completed a Master's degree in Meteorology. Luciano is passionate about expanding young people's access to higher education and supports our programme coordination and research introductions.
Chris Jesus
Sports & Youth Coordinator
A sports teacher with five years of teaching experience in the Chilean public-school system. Chris supports our sports and youth programming.
Katrina Maxwell
Administration & Safeguarding
A qualified New Zealand public-school teacher with experience in education and safeguarding. Katrina supports administration and operations and serves as a Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Mateus de Carvalho
Facilities & Maintenance
Supports the practical infrastructure, maintenance and day-to-day operation of our spaces.
Judith Casares
Director of Partnerships
Leads our relationships with universities, institutions and external partners, bringing previous outreach and coordination experience with Global Brigades and international youth leadership experience as a Youth Delegate to the United Nations.
Meet the team
The people who run Comunidade Rio Flow day to day: coordinating programmes, supporting participants and working alongside local educators and partners in Vidigal and beyond.
Working alongside local organisations
We work with local nonprofit and community partners, the Vidigal community council and the Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro.
