Enrolment form Sri Lanka
Enrolment form please CLICK HERE.

EXIS organizes voluntary work in Sri Lanka during minimum 3 and maximum 12 weeks. The stay begins with one week’s language and culture lessons in Galle.

Voluntary work is a unique way of getting to know the country, its culture and people, whilst doing a meaningful job that benefits the local population. In order to participate you must be at least 18 years old, confident and like to meet new people. A good sense of adventure and the will to work as a volunteer is a must.  

The country
Sri Lanka is famous for its culture, high mountains, golden beaches, rich wildlife and colourful coral reefs.  

The island lies in the Indian Ocean, 30 miles south of India. In 1948 Ceylon obtained independence, and in 1979 it was baptised Sri Lanka. There are a little less than 20 million people in Sri Lanka, of whom 74% are
Sinhalese, 18 % Tamil, originally from South India, while the last 8% are smaller ethnic groups.

Most Sinhalese are Buddhists, most Tamil are Hindu.
Map over Sri Lanka: Click here.

On the 26th of December 2004, Sri Lanka was hit by a tsunami. Many people lost their lives, went missing or were injured. The tsunami also seriously damaged the infrastructure on the coastal areas. At some of the institutions described below, several inhabitants lost their lives during the tragedy.

Galle
Galle is the capital of the southern province, and has a rich past. The natural harbour has attracted Portuguese, English and Dutch. The city has been a centre of administration during the colonial period for more than 4 centuries.

It has been listed by UNESCO, and the Dutch fortress is one of the most popular sights. The Unawatuna beach lies just 4 miles southeast of the town centre.  Many tourists are drawn by the exotic culture and beautiful nature.

Climate
The climate is tropical with an average temperature around 25 degrees Celsius. The mountains cut the country in two distinct parts, and are a natural barrier to the monsoon winds that affect the climate. It rains quite a lot in the south western part of the country, whereas the rest is fairly dry.

Program

1 week’s language and culture orientation followed by voluntary work on the project of your choice. The program is international, with participants from different countries. The language and culture program, preparing volunteering starts the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, with arrival in Colombo the day before. From the airport, there is a 4-5 hour drive to Galle.

The main purpose of language and culture program is to introduce participants to the Sinhalese language that is spoken by 75 % of the population, as well as a briefing about Sri Lankan culture and religion.

You should show respect and understanding for religion and local customs, especially in the way you dress.

Board and accommodation
During the first week participants are accommodated in double rooms in the coordinator’s house. During the work period, accommodation will be at your work place.
Usually participants stay with a host family, where they have their own room. In certain work places e.g. orphanages, you might stay in the orphanage itself.
You will have 3 meals a day throughout your stay. Please notice that breakfast consists of a cup of tea and bread. Most accommodations have electricity. The majority of the host families are educated and have experience hosting international volunteers. Usually at least one member of the family speaks English.

Part 1
Arrival and pick-up at Colombo airport Sunday before program start, as well as transportation to Galle, a 4-5 hour drive.

The first week the following activities take place: Sinhali language lessons and excursions will introduce you to the Sri Lankan population, its culture and country.

It all starts with briefing and sightseeing in Galle and surroundings, followed by language, religion, history, culture, politics, Buddhism, geography and health lessons, your first introduction to the local area and culture. Galle was once the chief port of Ceylon. You will visit the colourful local market and shops. Galle is famous for its handmade lace, tortoise shell curios and ebony carved elephants. The 90-acre Galle Fort is an old landmark. The fort was originally founded and constructed by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. The Galle Fort houses many important buildings from the Dutch period, as well as a Dutch period museum. The daily schedule during this first week of your stay is flexible and depends on local conditions.

It's possible to participate in a four day ekstra excursion program after the language and culture program:

Note
Changes can occur.

Part 2 : Voluntary work (3 -11 weeks)

After one week of language and culture lessons, voluntary work begins.
If you wish to work for a longer period, we recommend that you continue your work in India after your stay in Sri Lanka. Please mail info@exis.org  for more information about India. If you combine both countries, the program fee will be reduced. A plane ticket from Sri Lanka to India costs about 150€.

The following details are examples of work places. We cannot guarantee the availability of all projects all year round. Tasks depend on the volunteer’s skills and demands.

All projects are situated in rural areas in southern Sri Lanka.

1. Teaching English
Teaching English in local schools requires good English skills.
Schools lie in villages such as Embilipitiya, 100 miles from the capital, where children between 3 and 6 are taught English. It is important that volunteers vary their teaching with for example signs, maps, art, music and singing. If you are an experienced teacher you may be asked to teach maths or sports. According to your experience you will either assist a teacher or be given full responsibility for a class.

You must expect to participate in playing and drawing with the children as well as helping organize other activities. Accommodation is in a hostel, a temple or with a host family, with full board. You will work 25 to 35 hours per week.

2. Teaching English to Buddhist monks
Pirivenaere are traditional temple schools, where young monks study. Most volunteers teach English to the 8-21 year olds. Accommodation is with a local host family near the temple; you will experience life in a village, and during your time off you can spend some unique moments with the monks. Moreover you will learn about Buddhist culture, Buddha’s teachings and philosophy. Arriving in an ancient environment and culture from a modern western country is a huge change. But you will soon experience why modern societies have begun to take an interest in this exceptional way of living. You will work 23-35 hours per week.

3. Sambodi Shelter
In the morning of December 26th 2004, 38 children lost their lives, they either drowned in their beds or drifted away in the waves, 10 children are still missing. They all lived in the “Sambodi Shelter”, a home for physically and mentally disabled children. The government planned to move the residents into a building further from the sea, but because of the lack of funds and the urgent need for help elsewhere in Galle, this project has been temporarily postponed.
The building, which was already in a bad condition before the tsunami, needs even more repair now.
The home is also a school for more than 200 children/orphans who are either severely disabled or suffer from Down’s syndrome. Some of the teachers are also physically disabled.
The home needs a new kitchen, sewer system and a new roof.

Volunteers can help renovate, work in the nursery school, take care of children, help teaching or help in the centre, where children from poor families are fed.

4. Elephant orphanage
Young elephants that were abandoned or lost from their herd are cared for in this centre. When they reach the age of 3 or 4 years, they are released back into nature.

Volunteers assist ”mahouts”, professional elephant caretakers in cleaning elephant houses, feeding and playing with the animals, bringing them to the river twice a day to bathe, maintenance etc. The work place lies in a beautiful forest.

Accommodation is with a host family with full board. Working hours are 25-35 hours per week.

Participation requires payment of a work permit:
(2 weeks: 150 USD, 3 weeks: 200 USD, 4 weeks: 250 USD, 5 weeks 300 USD, 6 weeks: 350 USD). It is not possible to participate for more than 6 weeks.

5. Orphanage
If you feel that you are able to give care and attention to homeless children, these projects are perfect for you. Every home has about 15 children aged from 4 to 10. The purpose of these homes is to create a safe environment for abandoned or abused children, and provide for a better future.

Other tasks such as teaching art, music, dance, sports etc depend on the home and your skills and interests. Moreover you may help cleaning, feeding the children, help them brush their teeth and lend a helping hand with any odd tasks that may occur.

Accommodation is in a temple or with a local host family with full board. You will work 25-35 hours per week.

6. Turtle Conservation Project
Located in Kosgoda, 15 miles south of Galle, the turtle conservation project is the place for volunteers interested in nature and conservation. The project suffered great damage under the tsunami disaster of Dec. 2004, where most of the equipment was lost.Moreover, the turtle populations have been diminishing due to the destruction of coral reefs and marine pollution.

This project runs different programs – mostly to monitor and conserve the turtles in the Kosgoda area. Volunteers' help is needed for various types of conservation work, including monitoring turtle activity, creating informational resources and rebuilding damaged facilities.

As a volunteer, you will feed and clean turtles and their environment, monitor and release baby turtles from the hatchery, monitor turtle egg-laying and move the eggs to a safe nesting area. You will also assist in creating and maintaining a database of turtle statistics. Volunteers are also expected to reconstruct the damage caused by the tsunami which includest:

• Rebuilding turtle tanks and repairing the visitors' houses
• Developing informational resources and tourist souvenirs
• Conducting tours around the project.

The only requirement for volunteers in the turtle conservation project, but should have a deep love for nature and conservation. Volunteers live with host families or in a hostel in single rooms and get three meals a day.

Participation requires payment of a work permit:
(2 weeks: 150 USD, 3 weeks: 200 USD, 4 weeks: 250 USD, 5 weeks 300 USD, 6 weeks: 350 USD). 

2008 Program prices,
including one week’s language and culture program (in Euros)

Included in the price

• Pick up at Colombo airport. If you land late in the evening or at night, you can either wait in the airport or stay one night at a hotel. More information will be sent after reception of your arrival details.
• Orientation and sightseeing in Galle.
• 1 week’s language and culture program.
• Transportation to your work place.
• Accommodation and board during your entire stay – three meals per day. During the second part of the program accommodation is with a local host family or at your work place.
• Help and guidance from our local coordinator during your entire stay.
• Handbook.
• Certificate of participation..

Not included in the price

• Visa fees.
• Insurance.
• Roundtrip to Sri Lanka.
• Pocket money.
• Tax fee for elephant orphanage and turtle project.
• Transportation to and from accommodation to your work place (costs 3-4 USD per day).
• If you arrive before normal start dates, a fee of 35 USD/per day will be charged for food and accommodation.
• International airport tax (25 USD).
  

Enrolment form Sri Lanka
Enrolment form please CLICK HERE.

Before you travel
Living and working in Sri Lanka is a huge challenge and you will need to adapt. It may seem overwhelming in the beginning to adapt to a completely different way of living, another language etc. Things are not what you are used to, people react differently. The climate, the food, the atmosphere – everything is different. As for work, you will confront a harsh social reality and experience things that most tourists can’t even imagine.
In order to work as a volunteer you need to be mature, flexible and independent and want to do social work. It is emotionally very demanding to work with poor people, but it also gives an opportunity to do something meaningful and get unique experiences something that you will never forget.

It is not allowed to drink alcohol during the program period and it is forbidden to smoke during lessons. We do not guarantee that you can change your voluntary work placement after arrival in Sri Lanka.
Working hours on the different projects vary.

Vaccinations
Make sure that you have your vaccinations up to date. For more information on which vaccinations could be necessary please contact your family doctor or insurance company.

Cancellation insurance
It's advised to underwrite a cancellation insurance.

Enrolment - deposit
Upon receipt of your enrolment form, EXIS will send you a confirmation and invoice. A deposit of 200 € is to be paid upon receipt of this confirmation. The remaining amount is to be paid six weeks prior to your arrival. If you enrol less that six weeks before arrival, the entire program price will be payable upon enrolment.

Cancellation
If you cancel your application before receiving information about your host family you will be able to have your deposit refunded less a deduction of 200 € for administration expenses.
If your application is cancelled after receiving the address of your host family, your deposit will not be refunded whilst the balance will be refunded in full. Once the language course has commenced, no refunds will be made.

Travel expenses
All prices are excluding travel expenses. Mail to info@exis.org for package price.

Prices
All prices are mentioned in Euros.

Price changes
EXIS reserve the right for changing the prices without further notice, in case of changed foreign currency or other circumstances, that are beyond our control.