Volunteer in SRI LANKA
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Sinhala, Tamil
POPULATION: 19.9 million (2006)
GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$): Sri Lanka $3,896 Canada $36,687(2008)
% of Population BELOW POVERTY LINE: 22% (2002)
United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)
The HDI measures the average progress of a country in human development. It provides a ranking of 179 countries based on three dimensions of human developemnt: living a long and healthy life, being educated and having a decent standard of living.
SRI LANKA Country Ranking #104
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. Volunteer participants experience the incredible satisfaction of working with the locals as together they rebuild the lives of the people still recovering from the Tsunami. Volunteers assist with the construction of homes and sustainable development facilities in the Tangalle region at the southern tip of Sri Lanka.
Developing World Connections volunteers have helped build 29 homes for the families devastated by the tsunami. In the village of Ketakalawatta, volunteers have also built a prayer centre, a shop and a playground. Sustainability is the name of the game. Now, efforts focus on the construction of a trades training facility to help ensure the locals develop the technical skills they need to secure their economic futures.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Volunteer abroad! Even though the tsunami is now becoming a distant memory for many, its legacy remains, and much work needs to be done. Join a group of volunteers and contribute to Developing World Connections long-term commitment to the people of Tangalle. At work, you can expect to do anything construction related, be it bending rebar, moving dirt, putting up a roof or painting. You will see the reconstructed village of Ketakalawatta. No special skills are required and your efforts are valuable, regardless of your physical capacity.
We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to Sri Lankan projects and programs through Developing World Connections. Visit the Donate page or contact us for more ways to be of service.
WHAT CAN I SEE?
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?
| 2012 - Volunteer Experience Schedule |
| APRIL 14 TO APRIL 27 (Short Term) |
| MAY 5 TO JUNE 2 (Student) |
| NOVEMBER 3 TO NOVEMBER 17 (Short Term) |
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?
For one week, the Program Cost is $1,600 and for two weeks it’s $2,000. This includes the cost in-country food, in-country ground transportation, in-country accommodation, project costs and a substantial direct donation to the project. It’s 100% tax deductible.
