Community Work in Coastal Sri Lanka

  Sri Lanka

Colombo Central,  Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Multiple start dates year round

Description: Some of the most beautiful places in the world often have the biggest problems and nowhere is that more evident than in Sri Lanka, where the tropical peace was ended by the 2004 tsunami. You'll get the chance to take part in a variety of activities and help with the children of the local community centre as you help the environment and the people get back on their feet. You also have the unforgettable chance to see the islands stunning natural diversity and spectacular sapphire seas up close by helping out the turtle project in the area. This is a project for the flexible amongst you who don't mind pitching in, but the chance to make a difference in such a beautiful island is ample reward for you efforts.

*Project details:
We are aiming to provide ongoing, long-term assistance to communities in the Tsunami affected areas along the South coast of Sri Lanka. Support is required in a variety of settings depending on the needs of the project when you arrive. Although most of the affected houses have been refurbished by now, some houses are still going through this process. The support of the volunteers may take a variety of forms, depending on the need, but volunteers will primarily be teaching English, organising recreational activities, and providing entertainment for the children. Another objective of the project is to empower local people, generating ventures where possible, by helping them to converse in English. If they can use English for communication , they could find a job in the tourist industry.

We are working in partnership with community members in order to ensure that our help is directed to where it is most needed. Therefore, volunteers may also be asked to get involved with a wide range of other community projects which need extra help. However these activities are flexible and change all the time, based on the needs of the community. You should be able to get involved in whatever the activities are available during your stay such as any cottage industry that the poor are taking part in to earn a living.

*Why the project needs volunteers:
We are working with local project members, who do not have the resources to provide vital support to their communities without the assistance of volunteers. The extra pairs of hands, advice and experience our volunteers bring to the projects can allow them to develop in new directions and improve the lives of more families. In particular, the support that our volunteers provide may allow adults and children to gain valuable English language skills, which will create more opportunities for them in the future.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* Helping a small community in their on-going efforts to re-build their lives after the Asian Tsunami
* Exploring Sri Lanka's stunning coastline and finding your own personal favourite spot!
* Spending time with some of the world's most friendly people

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
The most important skill you must bring to this project is flexibility, as the work will vary depending on the needs of the projects and will develop over time. This project would suit a volunteer with a lot of initiative, who can work and communicate with people from all walks of life. Team-work skills will be needed, as well as an appreciation of cultural differences. You will be working in hot, basic conditions with few resources, and is important that you are reasonably fit and don't mind getting your hands dirty.

Your role as a volunteer:
Your role will be to assist local staff with ongoing community projects, the main activities will be teaching informal English to children and adults, organising sports and games, and improving the lives of local families in whatever small way you can. Working in partnership with local project members, you may also be required to get involved in conservation activities such as helping the turtle project and cleaning the beach when and where necessary. You could even find yourself singing, dancing, drawing and painting.

Cost in US$: USD 1425.00 for 2 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

* Accommodation: Shared rooms in volunteer house
* Food: Breakfast and dinner
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

When you experience meaningful travel with i-to-i we want you to have the best possible time abroad, so we include these important services.

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions and forms
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety and culture shock
- English teacher training course (TEFL)
- contact details to pass along to your family

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Sri Lanka Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994