Description

Based in many small towns along the southwest coast of Sri Lanka from Negombo to Galle and in the hill town of Kandy, care work in Sri Lanka is a multi-dimensional experience offering an enormous variety of choice. All the work here involves a lot of commitment to the children - including some placements caring and working with mentally or physically disabled children and work in orphanages. Please let us know if you have any specific preferences.

Most children at the orphanages and care centers still attend school in the mornings, sometimes at the same site or at a school nearby. Volunteers therefore help with basic education for a few hours in the mornings, usually teaching conversational English in government schools. Some volunteers also work with very young children during this time, helping four years olds learn the alphabet or doing coloring and art activities for example. In the afternoons volunteers assist in numerous areas with the children, from helping with homework to organizing and playing sports and games with the children or reading to a child individually.

Some of the orphanages where we work are home to children with severe disabilities and volunteers are needed to help feed, wash, dress and do physical exercises with these children. These placements are not for everyone, one volunteer described her placement as 'shocking but the most rewarding month of my life'. Volunteers here are greatly needed but it won't all be fun and games.

We also have a placement at a boy's home, where volunteers can help with laundry, cooking and work on the site's farm in the mornings then spend the afternoons playing, teaching and helping in the home's computer room, where they have nine personal computers and one over-worked member of staff!

English at most of the placements is basic, but the enthusiasm of both the staff and children ensures that you can communicate. Our Projects Abroad staff and the supervisor at your placement will always be on hand to ensure you make the most of your time in Sri Lanka. When you apply for a Care & Community placement in Sri Lanka, you will be contacted to discuss the various options and find the best placement for you.

Care & Community volunteers in some locations can also choose to help in Tsunami Relief camps from 3pm to 5pm each afternoon. Volunteers help with homework and organize games and sporting activities for the children.

This placement is also available as a two-week summer special for high school students between the ages of 16 and 19.

Highlights

Sri Lanka, Emerald Isle of the Indian Ocean, is home to heavy warm air, sweet fruit scents and incense and bright colors pouring out of every nook and cranny. From the extraordinarily lush foliage and bright offerings of flowers outside temples, to orange robed monks under their umbrellas and glamorous Sari's whizzing past on the back of motorbikes (normally with the limbs of their child peeping out between the mother and the driver!), there are many fascinating and beautiful sights to be enjoyed.

All accommodation is organized, paid for and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in Sri Lanka.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications

None.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

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

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992