Volunteering in Sri Lanka

Enrolment form Sri Lanka
Enrolment form please CLICK HERE.

EXIS organizes voluntary work in Sri Lanka for minimum 3 and maximum 12 weeks. The stay begins with one week of language and culture lessons in Galle.

Voluntary work is a unique way of getting to know a country, its culture and people, whilst doing a meaningful job that benefits the local population. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old, independent and outgoing. A sense of adventure and the will to work as a volunteer are musts.

The country
Sri Lanka is famous for its varied culture, high mountains, golden beaches, rich wildlife and colourful coral reefs.
The island lies in the Indian Ocean, 30 miles south of India. In 1948, Ceylon obtained independence, and in 1979 it was renamed Sri Lanka. Almost 20 million people live in Sri Lanka, of whom 74% are Sinhalese, 18 % Tamil, originally from South India, while the last 8% are smaller ethnic groups.

Most Sinhalese are Buddhists, Tamils are usually Hindu. Map over Sri Lanka: Click
On the 26th of December 2004, Sri Lanka was hit by a tsunami. Many people were injured or died, many more went missing. The tsunami caused great damage to the infrastructure in coastal areas. Clean-up and reconstruction continues in these areas.

Galle
Galle is the capital of the southern province, and has a rich past. The natural harbour has attracted Portuguese, English and Dutch. The city was a centre of administration during the colonial period for more than 4 centuries.

It is a UNESCO heritage site, and the Dutch fortress is one of the most popular landmarks. The Unawatuna beach lies just 4 miles southeast of the city centre. Many visitors are drawn to its exotic culture and beautiful nature.

Climate
The climate is tropical with an average temperature around 25 degrees Celsius. The mountains divide the country into two distinct parts, and are a natural barrier for the monsoon winds that affect the climate. It rains quite a lot in the south-western part of the country, whereas the rest is fairly dry.

Program
All volunteers follow a one-week language and culture program, as preparation for the work stay. Programs start every 2nd and 4th Monday with arrival to the capital city Colombo the day before. The drive to Galle from the airport takes 4 to 5 hours.

Volunteers who arrive after 5pm will spend the first night in a hotel close to the airport and be picked up the next day. It all starts with briefing and sightseeing in Galle and surroundings, followed by language, religion, history, culture, politics, Buddhism, geography and health lessons, your first introduction to the local area and culture. Galle was once the chief port of Ceylon. You will visit the colorful local market and shops

There are language lessons 3 to 4 hours a day. The rest of the day is free time. The last day is preparation for the trip to the work project you have chosen. This is an international program with participants from many countries.

The main purpose of the language and culture program is to introduce participants to the Sinhalese language that is spoken by 75 % of the population, as well as a briefing about Sri Lankan culture and religion.
You should show respect for local customs, especially in the way you dress.

Board and accommodation
During the first week participants are accommodated in double rooms by the coordinator or in a house about 20 minutes away. During the work period, accommodation will be with a host family or at your working place.
Usually participants stay with a host family, where they have their own room. If you work at an orphanage, you might stay there.

During you entire stay you will have 3 meals per day. Please note that breakfast is a light meal, a cup of tea and some bread. Most accommodations have electricity. The majority of the host families are educated and have experience hosting international volunteers. Usually at least one member of the family speaks English.

The following descriptions are examples of workplaces. We cannot guarantee that all projects are available all the time. Tasks depend on the participant’s skills, wishes and qualifications.
All projects are in the southern part of Sri Lanka.

Volunteer work

Teaching English
In the village of Embilipitiya and other villages in the area, 180 miles southeast of the capital, children between 3 and 6 can learn English. You will either assist a teacher or be given full responsibility for a class, depending on your skills and experience. If you are an experienced teacher you may be asked to teach maths or sports.

You must expect to play and draw with the children as well as help organize other activities.

Accommodation is in a hostel, a temple or with a host family, with full board.

You will work 25 to 35 hours per week.
You should have good English skills.

Teaching English to Buddhist monks
Pirivenaere are traditional temple schools where young monks study. Most volunteers teach English to the 8-21 year-olds. Accommodation is with a local host family near the temple.

You will experience life in a village, and during your free time you can observe and talk with the monks. You will gain unique insight into Buddhist culture, Buddha’s teachings and philosophy.

Your homeland will seem ages away from this traditional culture, that has caught the west’s attention once again.
You will work 23-35 hours per week.

Elephant home
Young elephants that were abandoned or lost from their herd are taken care of at this centre. There are also elephants that have either been mistreated, are handicapped due to landmines, or who have retired from the “work force”.

Volunteers assist ”mahouts” - professional elephant trainers- in cleaning elephant enclosures and feeding the animals, bringing them to the river to bathe, maintaining the area etc. Accommodation is with a host family with full board. Working hours are 25-35 hours per week.

It is not possible to participate for more than 6 weeks.

If volunteers have extra energy after work, it is possible to spend some time teaching English to the local villagers, who are eager to improve their English, and have no means to pay for lessons.

Ruhunu State Orphanage
An orphanage that receives some support from the government and house about 50 children from 4 weeks to 6 years old. Many of them lost their parents in the tsunami. There is also a small nursery school with about 36 children.

Examples of tasks

• Feed the babies, change their diapers and dress them.
• Play with the older children and teach them.
• Laundry and other practical work.
• Care and attention.

Volunteers can also help the employees in the nursery school.

Accommodation is with a local host family living near the orphanage. Transport is by ”tuk tuk”.

Dissanayaka school and orphanage
This home for physically and mentally handicapped children was hit by the tsunami on the 26th of December 2004. 38 children drowned in their beds or were swept away in the waves. 10 children are still missing.

The government planned to move the residents to a building further from the coast, but lack of funds plus the urgent need for support for other projects in Galle have postponed these plans indefinitely.

The home also functions as a school for about 200 handicapped or orphaned children from 5 to 15 years old, as well as a day center for physically and mentally handicapped adults. Some of the teachers are also physically handicapped. The home needs a new kitchen, but has otherwise been renovated.

Examples of tasks

• Teach children English, music, handicrafts, etc.
• Organize activities with the school employees.
• Care for the children.
• Teach and help at the center, where they also distribute food to poor families.
• In the afternoon assist the children and the handicapped adults.

Working hours are from 8.30 to 16.00/4.00 pm.
Accommodation is with a local host family.

Program prices in EUROS
including one week’s language and culture program

Included in our fee

• Pick up at Colombo airport. If you land after 5 pm, you can either wait in the airport or stay one night at a hotel. More information will be sent after enrolment.
• Orientation and sightseeing in Galle.
• 1 week language and culture program.
• Transport to your working placement. 
• Accommodation and board during your entire stay – three meals per day. During the second part of the program accommodation is with a local host family or at your working place.
• Work permit (3 USD per day.)
• Sponsor amount to work place.
• Help and guidance from our local coordinator during your entire stay.
• Handbook.
• Certificate of participation.

Not included in the price

• Visa fees.
• Insurance.
• Roundtrip to Sri Lanka.
• Pocket money.
• Transport to and from accommodation to your working place (costs 3-4 USD per day).
• If you arrive prior to normal start dates, a fee of 35 USD/per day will be charged for food and accommodation.
  International airport tax (25 USD).

Enrolment form Sri Lanka
Enrolment form please CLICK HERE.

Before you travel
Living and working in Sri Lanka is a huge challenge and you will need to adapt. It may seem overwhelming at first to adapt to a completely different way of living and another language. Things are not what you are used to, people react differently. The climate, food, the atmosphere – everything is different. As for work, you will confront a harsh social reality and experience things that most tourists can’t even imagine.

In order to work as a volunteer you need to be mature, flexible, and independent and want to do social work. It is emotionally very demanding to work with poor people, but it is also meaningful work and unique experiences you will never forget.

Do not expect to find a finished program all prepared when you start working. If you have decided to work with children, whether it is in an orphanage or in a nursery home, it is a good idea that you already know how to occupy children – manual work, sports, games etc. Use your imagination and be creative.

For feedback from previous volunteers click here.
We would like to have yours too.

Visa
Upon arrival in Colombo airport, you can obtain a 1 month visa. As a visa for voluntary work does not exist, you must apply for a TOURIST visa. (Remember to bring two ID photos)

More information will be sent in the pre-departure handbook after enrolment.