Donate
TRIP SRL0325.MFc

Sri Lanka March 2025 – 2 Week Poverty Eradication. Social Justice. Global Engagement.

C$2,950Flight costs not included
Mar 15, 2025 Mar 29, 2025 Kegalle, Sri Lanka Adult & Family Trip handUp for Education

Refurbishing a remote school building

This DWC volunteer project will focus on a School in Kegalle District in the Sabaragamuwa province. This remote area of the nation, has little, if any, support to address its unique and specific education challenges.

Parents typically earn their living as labourers. There are some women-headed households.

Both teachers and students alike, have shown great strength and capacity. By refurbishing the school, this learning environment will better serve the whole community. Teachers will benefit from dedicated staff facilities. Building capacity for more students to continue higher level studies at their local school will prevent early age drop-outs.

MAKE AN IMPACT
In Sri Lanka
  • Of Sri Lanka’s population of 19.3 million, 80% reside in rural areas. Currently, the incidence of poverty stands at more than 50%, having increased substantially due to the country’s unending economic crisis.
  • Kegalle, the town, has an agricultural-based economy and is the capital of the district. It sits about 78 km east of Colombo and 40 km west of Kandy.

What to ExpectA Typical Workday in Sri Lanka

Your DWC team will work with our in-country partner SLCDF just outside the small town of Kegalle.

In general, expect to work 6-8 hours per day. Breakfast starts at 6:00 or 7:00 am. After breakfast, the team is transported to the project site (by private bus) and the workday begins, between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. There will be lunch in the middle of the day provided by our host partner. Your workday will end around 4:00 pm. You will be transported back to your hotel for an evening filled with a dinner out, cultural experiences, team bonding or R&R.

Your group will be led by a trained DWC team leader and will be working with a local site supervisor, translator and laborers to complete this project. The worksite will have various types of task to support all skill and strength levels of your team. No building experience is necessary, but a desire to connect with the locals and pitch in as you can is one of the best parts of DWC projects.

This trip includes all accommodations, airport pickup/drop off,  in-country transportation and 3 meals a day for the duration of the trip dates.

Hike the Ancient Rock Fortress

Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this rock-top fortress dates back to the fifth century AD. Perched on a slab of rock that juts dramatically over the forests of central Sri Lanka. The experience is more spiritual than militant: in its time, it has acted as a royal palace and a Buddhist monastery.

Galle is a jewel and another Sri Lanka Unesco World Heritage Site, this historic city is a delight to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions and museums. Wandering its rambling lanes, you’ll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques and impeccably restored hotels owned by local and foreign artists, writers, photographers and designers.

Trip Details

Itinerary
  • Saturday, March 15 to Sunday, March 16 – Team travels to Sri Lanka; arrival at Colombo airport; transport to Kegalle; check in to hotel and acclimatize
  • Monday, March 17 to Friday, March 21  – PROJECT WORK in Kegalle
  • Saturday March 22 and Sunday March 23 – Explore the rich culture of Sri Lanka
  • Monday, March 24 to Friday, March 28  – PROJECT WORK in Kegalle
  • Saturday, March 29– Return to Colombo, travel home or continue travel in Sri Lanka
Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?
The cost of this trip is displayed at the top of the page. This cost includes accommodations, meals, in-country transport, program costs, and a donation to our host partner in their respective country. It does not include airfare and you are responsible for booking your own flights. The entire trip is 100% tax deductible. A $1000 non refundable deposit is due once the trip is confirmed which is then credited towards your trip cost. Your trip cost is due in its entirety 45 days prior to departure. Select trips may be subject to additional cultural activity fees. As of 2025 airfare will no longer qualify for a tax deductible receipt on our open trips. US volunteers may be subject to administrative fees/exchange rate adjustments.

Are accommodations included and what are they like?
DWC books your accommodations for you, and it is included in your Trip Cost! Your team will stay at a local hotel that is comfortable and clean. Rooms are booked as shared double occupancy. You may upgrade to a private room for an additional cost, where possible. We will do our best to accommodate adjustments.

Are meals provided and can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
All meals are included in your trip cost. Some meals will be at the hotel, while others at local restaurants. The food is prepared hygienically, and dishes range from local to standard western fare. Volunteers submit a health form to DWC and all requests for dietary restrictions will be provided to the Team Leader, hotel, and host partner, to be accommodated wherever possible. Your Trip Cost does not include tips, alcohol, or snacks.

Can I add personal travel onto this trip?
Absolutely! We want you to have the best travel experience possible. If you choose to add personal travel onto the front or back end of your trip, you are welcome to book your own accommodation and transportation arrangements for early arrivals or late departures, however you are required to arrive in time to fully participate in the volunteer experience with your team. Personal travel would not be covered in your tax-deductible receipt.

Can my family come on the trip with me?
The trip cost listed is a per person rate. Family members can participate in the trip as part of the volunteer team by paying a separate trip cost. Children 12-17 wishing to participate in a volunteer trip require a parent/guardian with them.

What is the minimum age requirement to volunteer?
Children under 12 are unable to participate in our program due to the nature of the volunteer work involved. Children 12-17 wishing to participate in a volunteer trip require a parent/guardian with them.

Do I need construction experience and how much will we work?
You don’t need special skills or training to be able to help. We hire local skilled labourers who will give training onsite for construction and team leaders. You will work at your own pace, within your own comfort level, five days a week from about 8AM to 4PM. Your evenings and weekends are free for cultural activities and relaxing.

What is the work site like and what is the intensity of the labour?
There is a building manager and translator on site. Tasks on the work site vary and you will only be asked to do what you are comfortable with and within your physical abilities. There is no pressure!

Why should I volunteer?
Support sustainable change with us. Learn about the world and yourself, lend a hand and build hope. Every bit of time spent on a DWC project is helping a person, a family, or a community. You’ll know that your contribution will make someone’s life better. DWC matches teams of volunteers and resources with people and organizations in developing nations to alleviate poverty and inspire hope and your efforts do have impact. The experience is enhanced by working as a team. Simply put, there is joy and self-discovery that comes with giving to others. And you’ll have fun doing it, too.

Are DWC trips religious or political in nature?
DWC has no religious or political affiliations.

Meet the Trip Leader

Each trip is coordinated by DWC with the help of a Team Leader, who has travelled with DWC previously, is First Aid Certified, and has completed a Criminal Record Check. Your Team Leader will liaise with DWC and ensure all your questions are answered. Your Team Leader will handle all team finances through the trip and travel with you to ensure the best possible travel and volunteer experience for their team! They also facilitate fun, cultural experiences where possible, ensuring group cohesion. See your Team Leader Biography here:

Marty France

Marty is a retired US Air Force officer and university engineering professor with extensive international experience, having served in Europe and traveled to 73 countries, including many in East and West Africa and throughout Southeast Asia. He’s a former Fulbright Scholar who taught at Singapore’s top science and engineering university. Marty coordinated his first service trip with DWC in 2014 when he led a team of students working with Equitable Cambodia to build sanitary latrines in villages and then did the same in Nepal in 2019. He also led a team that constructed a campground bathroom and shower facility in Costa Rica in 2022. In 2023 he led a team to build a woman’s center in Nepal and a classroom in Kenya. In 2024, Marty will be leading teams to Cambodia, Guatemala and Peru.   He currently lives in Colorado with his wife of 43 years.  He has two sons, four grandchildren and enjoys hiking, cycling, photography, and helping at his son’s craft brewery.

Travel Light Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.

Offset Your Carbon Footprint

Joy

Volunteer Program Manager

Say Hello!

Our friendly staff are here
to help get you on your way.

Contact Us Today
Ask Us a Question