Volunteer in SRI LANKA

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Sinhala, Tamil

POPULATION: 21.5 million

GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$): Sri Lanka $5,700      Canada $41,100

% of Population BELOW POVERTY LINE: 8.9%

WHY VOLUNTEER IN SRI LANKA?

Before the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004, about 9 million Sri Lankans or 30% of the population were living on less than $15 US per month. In just a few minutes, the tsunami killed more than 40,000 people and changed the lives of many more by wiping out their livelihoods. Hundreds of thousands of people plunged into poverty. In its wake, the Tsunami left desolate evidence of how vulnerable poor people are in the face of shocks and natural disasters. In the village of Ketakalawatta, Developing World Connections volunteers have helped build 29 homes for the families devastated by the tsunami, along with a prayer centre, a shop and a playground.

Even though the country has largely recovered from the tsunami, the country still struggles with economic issues. 42% of Sri Lanka's population lives on under $2 US a day. This is evidence that while acute poverty is no longer an issue, poverty still remains widespread and continues to be a challenging problem in Sri Lanka. More woryingly, however, is the fact that 90% of the poor live in rural areas - only 20% of the Sri Lankan population lives in urban communities. Access to education, medical care, and social asssitance programs is often limited.

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS

Join a group of volunteers and contribute to Developing World Connections long term commitment to the people of Tangalle. Volunteers will continue construction of a trades training facility to help ensure locals develop the technical skills they need to secure their economic future. The project includes four buildings, roughly 2700 square feet each, that will be used for multiple programs, including small engine repair, slipper making, and entrepreneurship training. An additional smaller building will be used as a showroom and office. During your work day, you can expect to anything construction related, like bending rebar, moving dirt, putting up a roof, or painting walls. No special skills are required and your efforts are valuable, regardless of your physical capacity.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

On evenings and weekends, you'll have a chance to explore Sri Lanka by visiting local temples, the Rewaka turtle conservation project, or the Udewallawa elephant reserve. Upon completion of the volunteer experience, we recommend you travel inland to the lush, historical and cultural Sinhalese capital of Kandy to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the National Museum and the Kandyan “Devil Dancers”. Tour the tea fields and factories at Nuwara Eliya, stand at the rivers edge while the Mahouts scrub their elephants and visit the 1,500 year old Sigiri murals and rock architecture at the rock fortress of Sigiriya rising 600 feet above the jungle.

WHEN CAN I GO?         

Note: The Volunteer Experiences Schedule will be updated every two weeks.
It is subject to change depending on flight arrangements and suitability for host communities.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

SHORT TERM TRIPS: A two week volunteer trip to Sri Lanka costs $2,179. This includes the cost in-country food, in-country ground transportation, in-country accommodation, program costs and a substantial direct donation to the project. Airfare is not included; however, the entire cost paid through DWC is 100% tax deductible, including your flight.

STUDENT TRIPS: A four week student trip to Sri Lanka varies in price from $2,200 to $2,600 (flights not included) depending on the number of participants. You can fundraise for your trip and DWC will issue charitable receipts to your donors.

Trips may be cancelled if not enough people are registered so please sign-up early to avoid disappointment. A $500 deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip; the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to your trip.

We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to Sri Lankan projects and programs through Developing World Connections.