Sea Turtle Conservation in Sri Lanka

  Sri Lanka

Rural Areas

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
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: Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.

So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:

- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars

Why not explore Sri Lanka and help protect the turtles?

Sri Lanka is separated from the Indian sub continent by a few miles of sea, but the water hasn't dampened the vibrancy found on the mainland. Sri Lanka offers the traveler a similarly stunning experience in a handy, fun-size package. Its diminutive stature allows you to explore the whole island with relative ease, where you'll find golden beaches, mountains and lush jungle as well as a really welcoming people. Our partner project on the island monitors and protects the 5 different species of sea turtle found in Sri Lanka. Unfortunately when the island was badly damaged by the 2004 tsunami the project lost important equipment, resources and tanks, meaning your support will be even more valuable as it continues to grow.

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

Highlights: What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?

"The host family and local people I met were all so warm and welcoming and grateful for any help offered. It was a complete honour and privilege to have been able to live and work alongside them and be made to feel part of their close community. Being woken at 6am one morning to be told there was an adult green turtle laying its eggs on the beach outside the hatchery - I literally jumped out of bed and ran down to the shoreline just in time to catch a glimpse of her gliding back into the ocean, an awesome sight that gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. The day-to-day hands-on interaction with the turtles was a real treat; they are amazing creatures. To learn from the host family and really feel like you're making a difference is an extremely rewarding feeling. The host family/project coordinators will always encourage you to make the most of your days off project. They love their country and want for you to enjoy everything that it has to offer. Sri Lanka has so much to see and do from the Ancient Cities, the Hill Country and the Coast there is a wealth of culture & beauty to explore. You must be careful when traveling around due to the security threats posed by terrorist attacks by the LTTE but as long as you take travel advice from the host family/project reps and apply common sense then you should not encounter any difficulties and will get to enjoy some amazing experiences." (Emma Hill)

We are working with a well-established turtle conservation project in Kosgoda, on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka. Its purpose is to monitor and conserve the turtles in the Kosgoda area, and a mixture of local staff and volunteers have been supporting its development. However, after the Tsunami hit in December 2004, much of the infrastructure was destroyed and an important source of funding - the tourists - was lost. Over the last eight years, the project manager has been maintaining a database of turtle activity to allow definitive measurement of turtle behaviour in this area. Unfortunately, most of the equipment was washed away in the Tsunami. Computers, pumps, tanks, the visitors centre, tourist gifts etc. have all gone. Before the Tsunami, the project manager was able to offer posters, t-shirts, stickers and films to the local population, thereby raising funds for the project. He is very much hoping to rebuild this programme but needs funds and the help of volunteers to support it.

Qualifications: Conservation volunteers will be hands-on people who love the outdoors. You must be prepared for some hard physical work, and you must be flexible, as this project involves a variety of activities. IT skills, research skills and communication skills may also be utilized during your conservation placement. This placement would suit a volunteer with a lot of initiative who is prepared to work hard individually and in a team.

Cost in US$: $1690.00 for 2 weeks, $200.00 for every week thereafter

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
- contact details to pass along to your family

When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport
- welcome orientation
- accommodation and food
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers.

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 World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Sri Lanka Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, 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 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 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