Description

Fancy helping a paradise lost?

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 conservation activities and help with the children of the local community center as you help the environment and the people get back on their feet. You also have the unforgettable chance to see the island’s 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.

When you book this trip, in addition to the 52% typically of your program fee that is spent in country, we will also use USD 75 of your fee to purchase information boards, educational resources or equivalent through our Big Giving program.

Highlights

* Helping to conserve these awesome creatures of the sea
* Exploring Sri Lanka's stunning coastline and finding your own personal favourite spot!
* Meeting and making friends with the local community - and taking inspiration from their strong spirit and approach to life

Qualifications

What's the project like and who is it for?

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. This project is ideal for hands-on people who love animals and the outdoors. You should be prepared for some hard physical work, and IT skills, research skills and communication skills may also be utilised during your time at the project.

These projects are really making a difference to a community whose lives were shattered by the tsunami and volunteers here will gain a great sense of achievement from their work.

Activities and Schedule:

You'll work Monday to Friday, with a half day on Friday. Shifts will vary as cover is needed at the turtle project 24 hours a day. You will be assigned 8 hour shifts with the rest of the team to manage this (but don't worry, you'll get a lunch break!), and when at the turtle project should expect shifts at night as well as through the day, particularly during egg laying season.

Please be aware that the work pattern is different in Sri Lanka to most Western countries: the pace of work is often slower and more sporadic. You should not expect to work the same number of hours every day. Also, there may be some unscheduled breaks from your work due to the frequency of public holidays in Sri Lanka so you'll need to 'go with the flow' if this happens during your stay!

You'll be getting involved in a wide variety of activities, which will include:
- Nightly patrols
- Helping with awareness and education programmes
- Statistic and data gathering, entry and analysis
- Building holding tanks
- Cleaning tanks, beaches and the general project area
- Feeding turtles
- Releasing hatchlings
- Providing tours for tourists
- Developing the information resources for tourists
- Helping to run educational programmes for children in the community centre
- Helping with informal conversational English teaching to community members
- Organising sports and games
- Singing and dancing
- Drawing and painting
- Beach clearing

If you've got a special skill or interest you'd like to introduce to the children and community members, or if you'd like to give any additional time to either project then it will be very welcome!

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1249.00 for 2 weeks, USD 150.00 for every week thereafter

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

What's Included

* 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

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

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.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Volunteering's Mission Statement

i-to-i Volunteering provides unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 130 projects on 4 continents, across 22 countries you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching English, community development, conservation, home building, and working with animals.

Year Founded

1994