Leonardo

Leonardo understands that speaking a second language in Brazil is still a privilege, since only 1% of Brazilians being able to speak English fluently. Not far from this reality, Leonardo himself was a student in a public high school and was affected by this issue. Aware of the impacts of this problem, he founded the Wanderlust Initiative, a project that promotes voluntary language education for underprivileged Brazilian youth.

In 2022, the team consisted of 54 volunteers, along with 52 volunteer teachers who assisted in teaching the offered languages. These +100 volunteers were divided into 7 areas: Mentorship Program (the main project of Wanderlust), Intensive Programs (a new project aimed at helping adults learn languages), Community, Communication, Events, Newsletter, and the Mental Health team. Each team meets every two weeks and has leaders responsible for organizing and planning activities within each area. Since 2020, the project has received over 1300 applications from young people across Brazil. Additionally, it has reached 100 volunteer teachers and 400 students from 85 cities, 26 states and two countries. Within 3 years, Leonardo hopes to have impacted over 1000 young people and turn the Wanderlust Initiative into a social business.