Description

The children in Sri Lanka have the biggest smiles and the cutest brown eyes& they will melt your heart the moment you meet them!

We work with a local NGO that has numerous wonderfully worthwhile care projects in Sri Lanka. We work with four different projects:

Abandoned Children's Project - An orphanage for young children that have been abandoned. You'll help to provide vital care, love and support to these adorable children.

Teenage Mother's Project - A remarkable opportunity to work with teenagers who have been incestuously raped. Out of an abominably distressing situation this centre is bring hope to these mothers, providing them a safe and happy environment during and after pregnancy.

Street Children Project - The opportunity to work with delightful children who have had a hard time in life. The centre provides them a safe place to visit Monday - Friday, to receive three square meals, an education and to meet other friends!

Disabled School - A wonderful school that provides physically disabled children an education. There are 30 children between the ages of 3 and 20 and with 5 teachers (and occasionally parents to help out and make the tea,) this gives the children the perfect opportunity to learn in an informal, relaxed environment.

All of these fantastic projects are perfect if you have a passion for children and a desire to help a less fortunate community. You may have the chance to work at one or all of the projects. If you have a special interest please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate it!

What You'll Gain From Doing this Project:
--> An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Latin America.
--> The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
--> New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
--> An entry on your CV or resume that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

Project Overview:
At each of these projects you will be making a difference to the lives of underprivileged children. You may volunteer at one of these worthwhile projects or at a combination of projects.

You do not need to have any prior qualifications and this project can also be combined with some teaching or sports coaching in the local government schools to older children if you wish to add some variety to your placement. It can also be combined with any of our exciting conservation projects if you wish to do something totally different!

Your supervisor for all the projects will be Bandula. He works closely with the volunteers to make sure that they are happy in their projects. He works from the NGO's head office. Roshan (the Travellers Sri Lanka Country Manager) or one of his staff, will take you to the headquarters on the first day, there you will meet Bandula and can discuss your volunteer programme with him. During your programme, if you have any concerns or any special requests you can contact him, and of course Roshan will always be available!

ABANDONED CHILDREN'S PROJECT
This centre is for orphaned and abandoned children. There are three separate rooms for children of different age groups:

Babies

1-2 Year Olds

2-5 Year Olds

The children are all adorable and would love you to come and play with them! Your main duties will be to play with the children, help to feed them and to develop relationships with them. The children (and most of the staff at this centre) speak very little English but have massive hearts and smiles. They will be really grateful for your help and attention and will welcome you with open arms. You will fit in in no time and will have great fun keeping the children occupied and imparting a few words of English to all. The women that work in the centre will also be grateful to learn a few more words of English! You'll find that although there is a language barrier, it can easily be overcome with hand gestures and smiles! This placement is really fantastic if you're full of energy and enthusiasm! Any ideas you have for simple games will also be appreciated!

At this centre there is also an older girl, of approximately 10 years old, who received severe burns to her head, face and hands as a baby. She's now being supported by an American sponsor and regularly flies to the USA for treatment. She is full of life and energy and is the bubbliest, loveliest girl you will ever meet! She also speaks perfect English and is wonderfully confident and friendly!!

TEENAGE MOTHER'S PROJECT
It is usual on arrival, to find this project a little distressing. It is a centre for girls under the age of 18, who have been incestuously raped and become pregnant as a result. There are, on average, about 10 teenage mothers at the centre at a time. Some of these mothers will be pregnant, some will have already given birth.

BUT....when you look beyond this, you see the brilliant work that this centre is doing! From an awful situation the girls are being given a second chance to not only recover from an awful, traumatic experience, but they are being offered much much more...

The girls are offered a real chance for rehabilitation by receiving education (such as Sinhalese and English classes, along with IT lessons.) They are also given mental stimulation through activities such as dance classes. Lastly, they are offered the fantastic chance to further their training and learn skills such as baking, or handicraft making, so that once they leave the centre they can make a living for themselves.

The sorts of crimes that the girls have been subjected to are treated very seriously in Sri Lanka and every girl will either have had or be in the process of a court case against their perpetrator. The perpetrator could receive up to 35 years imprisonment for such a crime.

At the project, you will have the chance to work with these courageous girls. The work will be varied as you will mainly be encouraged to help and supervise their classes and activities. If you would like to, you may also teach some of their English lessons. You will also have the chance to help them look after their babies.

STREET CHILDREN PROJECT
This project is another brilliantly worthwhile endeavour. You'll mainly be working at the Pre-School Children Day Shelter, which has between 20-30 children in regular attendance. The children are dropped off by their parents any time after 6.30am (for an official start time of 8.30am) and are picked up at 6.30pm. This allows the parents a full 12 hours to work and earn a little money for the family. All of the children either live in the very poor slum area of Colombo, or are literally without a home or roof at all.

The children receive an education at the centre along with time to play with their peers and three proper meals a day. There is one teacher, two assistants and a project officer in the Pre-School area. If the children's massive smiles haven't already melted your heart then these four ladies will - they will make you feel instantly welcome! The head teacher, Anula, is friendly and bubbly and her English is great! She's worked at the centre for 20 years and is very very proud of her achievements - and so she should be! Ask to look at her photo albums and she will tell you the stories of all of the children that have been to the centre. She'll be brimming with pride as she tells you of their accomplishments thanks to the education and support they received from the project.

Every Tuesday some volunteers visit from an International School in Colombo. They are older than the pre-school children but will be under the age of 18. They come to play games with the children, sing, dance and generally have a great time! The children look forward to this every week.

Your main duties will be to muck in and help wherever is needed. You will be needed to supervise the children, play with them and help out in the lessons. There is also a non-formal education centre for older children (from ages 5-14) who receive 4 hours of teaching, 3 times a week. This centre is location right next to the Pre-School and you are welcome to help with classes here as well. Special help is always needed with the English lessons.

DISABLED SCHOOL
There are roughly 30 students in this school, between the ages of 3 and 22. There are a range of disabilities at the centre, from muteness to forms of autism, epilepsy and cystic fibrosis. This centre is uplifting as the children would not get the chance for an education without this project.

There are 5 teachers in total at the centre. All of them only speak a few words of English, but always manage to communicate with the volunteers! Through hand gestures and smiles you will get by and get your point across!

There are also usually one or two parents who will stay for the school day (which runs from 8am - 12pm.) They will assist with the activities and make tea for the break at 10.30am. During the break time the children have the chance to play sports, which they would be eternally grateful if you joined them in playing!

On your first day you will be accompanied by Roshan (the Travellers Sri Lanka Manager) or Nirangela (the Assistant Manager) who will help you communicate, find your feet and work out your role at the school.

The children participate in a range of activities whilst in the school. These range from formal educational lessons, such as Maths, to therapeutic activities, such as art and playing with water. You'll be able to take part in all the lessons and it would be very appreciated if you could teach some conversational English to the children and the teachers.
Our placements are very flexible and you can combine any of our projects to give you a broader experience of life on the inside in Sri Lanka.

Our Users Say...
"I just wanted to let you know, that I had the time of my life in Sri Lanka. It was FANTASTIC, I wish the entire experience had never had to end. I would just like to say thank you to your team of organisers for organising the spectacular trip. And also a big thank you to Roshan, Shivani ... and all the boys at the house for making my stay very welcoming and memorable. I miss them all very much. And I will definitely want to return and pay them a visit."

Highlights

What To Do Next:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It's as easy as that.

Accommodation:
You'll live in a traditional Sri Lankan house in Ja-Ela. It is spacious and comfortable, with a garden, several balconies, two lounge rooms and many bedrooms. You will most likely share a room with other Travellers volunteers. There is a TV and DVD player for evening entertainment, in the upstairs lounge area and with the latest DVD copies just a pound to buy locally, there is usually something to watch!

Our Teaching, Work Experience and the Colombo Zoo placements are all based in Ja-Ela and so the house is often full and offers a lively, sociable atmosphere there will be no shortage of friends to spend weekends at the beach with! Ja-Ela volunteers also have the advantage of easy access to Colombo's facilities, major bus stations and also The Airport Gardens Hotel - a luxury hotel which offers facilities including a fantastic pool. The hotel is only a short trip away from the volunteer house: perfect for those lazy afternoons!

There is a local live-in cook at the Travellers house who will prepare your breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, throughout the week. The food is usually local cuisine which means lots of curry, rice and salads. Whether a curry fan or not, you will be by the time you return as Sri Lankan food is delicious! You can buy snacks and treats including a growing variety of Western tastes (chocolate!) from the local store. There is also a KFC in Ja-Ela for those who need a fix of home.

Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.

Additional Activities You Can Do While on this Project:
--> Meditation Courses at a Buddhist Retreat for a few days or as long as you choose. Relax and be inspired! This optional extra programme can be combined with any project in Sri Lanka.
--> Cookery Courses (coming soon) that give you a good insight into how to prepare some typical Sri Lankan dishes.
--> 1-Week Elephant Experience in the famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, n experience you'll never forget!. You'll stay in our Travellers house in Kegalle with other Travellers volunteers.
--> Sightseeing: As well as the above, all our volunteers use their weekends and free time to do a lot of travelling around the southern part of the island. There are many, many attractive tourist sights to see, ranging from glorious beaches to impressive temples. The towns and villages are fascinating and very different to what we're used to.

Location:
The office is situated in an amazing location right next to the Negombo fishing beach all the houses here are typical of Colonial Sri Lankan style, and the streets are lined with trees. It is very picturesque, brimming with atmosphere, and has a great vibe about it.

Negombo is a popular tourist resort and is the closest beach to Sri Lanka's international airport. This fishing village was very lucky and avoided most of the impact of last years tsunami. The beach is beautiful with long stretches of orange sand, palm trees and some beach front hotels. A little further back and there are many boutiques selling Sri Lankan handicrafts, markets and the general hustle and bustle of Sri Lanka.

Travel Types

• Volunteering

Qualifications

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

From 1,345 for 2 weeks

Cost Includes:

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

Program Fees Include:

Full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required

yes

No previous experience or qualifications are required, but you must have lots of enthusiasm, patience, adaptability and a sense of adventure!

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

This placement would suit anyone who cares about people and children, wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range

Everyone welcome from 17 years old up to 70+

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Dormitory
• Group living
• Independent living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

within 5 working days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement

Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded

1995