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Volunteer for Women Empowerment Program

Join the Women Empowerment volunteer Program in Sri Lanka with VolSol and make a difference in the lives of underprivileged women. Help them by providing proper education as well as a career opportunity in which they can earn for their basic livelihood and have a shaped future for themselves.

Sri Lanka

country

2-20 Weeks

duration

from $835

price

18 years+

min age

Highlights

Volunteering opportunity for people enthusiastic about women’s causes in the spirit of Global sisterhood
Work for women’s education, vocational training, inculcating confidence through discussions and group interaction
Take special English classes and train women and local NGO staff as well
Undertake Focussed Group Discussions with women and find out more about their lives and exchange experiences with them
Engage deeply with the local community
Get to experience the country which is fast becoming the ultimate travel destination

This project’s primary goal is to equip impoverished rural Sri Lankan women with much-needed English language and life skills so they can grow personally, boost their confidence and self-esteem, interact with their families and children more effectively at home, and become more employable in the future. For a variety of social and economic reasons, most of these women have never had the chance to acquire these skills and pursue a successful career; therefore, it is imperative that this service be made available to them to support their development and well-being.

Background of the Program
In this project, we typically work with rural Sri Lankan women who are some of the most vulnerable sections of the society. The situation of these women has been shaped heavily by its traditional culture, colonial history and post-independence policies.

It is no secret that gender stereotypes adversely impact women, particularly in rural communities of developing countries like Sri Lanka. Women here continue to be seen as “dependent wives” or “supplementary earners” at best. Traditional familial responsibilities of a woman, especially as a mother / wife / homemaker, constrain them in their choice of employment, as do her family’s and society’s attitudes towards certain types of employment.

Most women in Sri Lanka are literate in Sinhala and/or Tamil, the two main local languages in the country. This is because in the 1950s, primary, secondary, and tertiary education, including university education, was made free and converted from English medium to the local languages. This led to a rapid expansion of educational opportunities amongst females. Parents no longer had to choose whether to invest in the education of sons or daughters. Educational participation rates rose rapidly amongst women and gender differences declined sharply by the 1970s. Despite this, dropout rates were higher among females, especially in low-income neighborhoods, settlements, and villages.

In 1983, a massive civil war broke out in Sri Lanka, which lasted for 26 years ending in 2009. This led to substantial social dislocation and trauma. Social sector expenditure was cut back by the increasing financial cost of the war in the late 1980s and 1990s. As a result, there was a deterioration in the quality of health and education services which negatively impacted the quality of life for women and their families. Many women were pushed out of stable employment in the formal sector to marginal economic activities, and to unviable self-employment. Various studies have shown that for poor rural women, quality of life and employment conditions deteriorated the most during those three decades and pushed them into unemployment or low-skilled jobs. The tsunami of 2004 was also instrumental in bringing large scale damage to the region, which further deteriorated employment prospects and quality of life for women and their families.

Women’s empowerment can come in many forms and we have chosen to focus on providing English education at the grassroots level as a tool to equip these women with greater confidence and make them more employable (particularly in the growing international tourism sector where having a working knowledge of English is more or less mandatory for gaining decent employment), while further developing their basic life and language skills. Most women who participate in this project have had little to no experience or familiarity with the English language prior to joining the project. They come from lower-income families that have suffered the most during the turbulent times of the recent past. Many of them have had early marriages and have never been given an opportunity to pursue a viable career.

Want to see other ways to make an impact? Check out our Volunteer in Asia programs.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

As a volunteer for the Women Empowerment Project, you will be involved in the following tasks :

Teaching English at a basic level to women in small to mid-sized groups in the afternoons
Prepare for each session focusing on the specific needs of the group
Help the staff for the lesson planning and also find out creative ways to teach
Focus more on communicative English (than reading & writing) so that their grammar gets polished
Employ various techniques, such as role play, in order to maximize the practical impact of this initiative

Teaching sessions can be held either in the mornings or afternoons, for about 2-3 hours each. Each session will be conducted in a close-knit, comfortable environment with small groups of 5-20 of rural women.The classes are scheduled 4 days a week and one specific day is dedicated for lesson planning where the volunteers plan the sessions and get the needed lesson materials prepared in advance. It is important to adapt to the ground circumstances and be flexible. The education coordinator will accompany the volunteers to the project site and guide the volunteers when delivering lessons and planning lessons.

Volunteers can also get help from our staff on planning for topics / lessons and creative ways to teach, but lesson planning and teaching are ultimately the responsibility of the volunteers themselves. Classes will focus more on spoken English (to maximize impact) and will also include basic grammar sessions. We employ various techniques, such as role play, in order to maximize the practical impact of this initiative.

Requirements & eligibility

Volunteers joining the Women Empowerment Program must be 18-60 years old at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report.Only Female volunteers are accepted in this program.

Volunteer work schedule

A typical day

Saturday : Arrival +House Tour + Initial Training session (as long as the participants come by afternoon or else its done on Sunday)
Sunday : Neighborhood familiarization tour
Mon to Fri : Volunteer work
Breakfast : 06:30 am – 8:30 am
Lunch : between 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Lesson Planning :1-3 pm
Women sessions : Mon to Thursday 3-5.30 pm
Friday : Planning for Monday
Dinner : 06:30 pm -7:45 pm

Note: The schedule may vary depending on the local circumstances and can be changed by the coordinators due to any unavoidable circumstances.

Gallery

Life on the programme

Living

Accommodation & meals

Airport Transfers
Volunteers are picked up from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport Airport by a representative of the local coordinating team on the program start date during scheduled airport pickup hours. Participants are also dropped off to the airport upon completion of the program during the scheduled airport drop hours (At extra charges).Charges for the return airport drop can be paid by the participants when they are in Sri Lanka.

Note : Arrival transfer (shared) within pre-defined time windows on Saturdays included in the program price (non-transferable).There will be 2 shared airport transfers every Saturday (Morning and afternoon/evening) from airport to Galle. A private transfer is also available for USD 100 and can be arranged on Saturday or for participants arriving on any date other than the start date.

Orientation
A detailed program Orientation will be provided before you start your volunteering program.All volunteers on arrival get a welcome presentation including health and safety training, culture presentation, project specific presentation and area orientation tour. Our staff will also assist you with the lessons and planning the curriculum, as and when required. You will also have access to our in-house teaching library consisting of manuals, books, and various teaching materials to help with lesson planning and providing general guidance.

Accommodation
Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighbourhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Our participants stay in two volunteer houses which are located near to each other.

The Beachside house is located right across the road from Unawatuna Beach and about 100 metres from the other volunteer house. It has 12 spacious bedrooms of varying sizes with attached en suite bathrooms each with air-conditioning facilities (most rooms also have attached outdoor balconies). There is also a separate dining area, small garden, lounge, terrace and a large office with permanent staff onsite. The property is safeguarded by multiple CCTV cameras and an onsite night security team.

The other larger volunteer house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There’s a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighbourhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.

Private (single and double) room upgrades are available at additional charges. During busy months participants are also provided accommodation in nearby guesthouses in case of low capacity in the volunteer houses or non availability of private rooms. Private rooms are provided in guesthouses within walking distance to the volunteer house. Volunteers stay in the private guesthouses and walk over to the volunteer house and have meals with the other volunteers.

All participants aged 40 years and older will be provided with a private room only and will not be provided accommodation in shared dorm rooms . Additional charges for private room upgrade shall be applicable.

Meals
We provide 3 freshly cooked meals per day all week long (Monday to Sunday): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Fresh ingredients are purchased from local markets to prepare these meals. The volunteer homes have cooks from the local community who come daily to cook fresh, homely and tasty local meals for the volunteers. We can cater to a range of special diets including vegan, gluten free, nut free and lactose-intolerant diets. If there are any other allergy or food requirements mentioned to us beforehand, we always do our best to accommodate those needs. Those volunteers staying in private guesthouse rooms near the volunteer house, usually have breakfast at the guest house and walk down to the volunteer house for their lunch and dinner.

Local Transportation
Local transportation to and from the project is included every day.

During Free Time
There is plenty to do during the free time and weekends for the volunteers.The following activities are provided free of charge and included in your program fee:

Evening Rooftop Yoga Session (weekly)
Movie nights on large screen projector at the house (weekly)
Bike tour across paddy fields and local villages (monthly)
BBQ for volunteers and staff in the garden (monthly)
Night Fishing for anyone into fishing (on demand)

The following are popular weekend (or even daily) activities which our volunteers love to do around the area (at an additional charge):

Surfing lessons
Elephant safari
Whale watching(during season)
Rainforest hiking
Beach hopping
Local cooking class
Galle Walking Tour
Local spice market visit
Galle Fort visit

We also encourage you to join our specially curated 7D/6N Sri Lanka Culture & Adventure Tour which packs the best of the island’s beauty and diversity within a week.The tour can be added to your program itinerary before or after the volunteer program.

Dates

Start dates

Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.

AvailableFilling fastFully booked

Costs

Program fees by duration Currency

A one-off application fee ($249 / £179 / €229 / AU$350) is charged in addition to the program fee — valid for one year, during which you may enrol in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.

Duration	Program fee
2 weeks	$835
3 weeks	$995
4 weeks	$1,155
5 weeks	$1,315
6 weeks	$1,475
7 weeks	$1,635
8 weeks	$1,795
Each additional week	+$250 / week

Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.

✓ What you're paying for

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Dedicated volunteer housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
Shared airport transfer on arrival at designated time windows in the morning or afternoon
Orientation and training on arrival
Breakfast, lunch and dinner all days
Guaranteed project placement
Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk tuk
Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
Dedicated staff support from 6 am to 8 pm every day
24/7 local emergency support
Weekly yoga class on rooftop terrace
Weekly movie nights on large screen projector
Monthly bike tour around paddy fields and local villages
Monthly special BBQ dinner
Travel & Medical Insurance(Available at an extra cost)
Certificate of Participation(On Request)

Not included

Visa Fee
International Airfare
Return Airport Transfers from Galle to Colombo Airport (available at extra charges)
Vaccinations
Any personal expenses
Additional Local Excursions and Trips
Private Room Upgrade charges
Charges for additional nights at accommodation

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to buy a health insurance?

Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. If you do not have a travel insurance, you have the option to purchase the Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from us. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider. To view details of the insurance policy, please click here

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka?

As we have limited spots available in our programs and we follow the first come first serve basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. Applying and securing your place in advance also allows you to prepare better for your trip - to get any recommended or mandatory vaccinations and to book your flight in good time to get the best price. Additionally, securing your place in advance means that you will keep the price on the website at the time of application and won’t be subject to any annual fee increases.

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?

After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer programs?

The minimum age requirement for the programs in Sri Lanka varies depending on the program. For some programs, the minimum age requirement for individual participants is 16 years whereas for certain programs it is 18 years.Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. They should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. The participant must be in good health.

Can I volunteer as part of a group?

For individual volunteers

You will arrive on the same start date as other volunteers joining at the same time and will be part of a cohort for your program. This means you’ll share the same orientation day, accommodation, and overall experience; a great way to meet new people and make friends from around the world. The best time to join if you want to meet lots of other volunteers is July and August as these are the most popular months.

For groups
If you already have a group, we also accept applications from university and college groups, high school groups, corporate teams, families, and groups of friends. Your group can fill in our Group Application Form, providing details such as the number of participants, preferred duration, budget, and destination. We take special care in providing your group with a placement that best suits your goals, and we can customise your itinerary to ensure you get exactly the experience you’re looking for. For groups of five or more, we can even design special group programs that combine meaningful volunteer work with cultural immersion and travel opportunities. All our programs, whether individual or group, are designed to be safe, affordable, and rewarding, offering every volunteer a memorable and impactful experience

Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?

Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.

When do I need to arrive in Sri Lanka for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the country ?

All volunteers need to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the starting date of their project. Volunteers are picked from the airport by the local coordinator or representative and are transferred to their respective accommodation.The schedule for the coming days shall be explained on arrival.

Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?

If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a years time ( from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next VolSol program.

Will Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Participants traveling to Sri Lanka need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival or on their arrival in Sri Lanka. You can apply for ETA online and the approval of the same will be communicated via email. More information will be provided once you enroll for the program.

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Sri Lanka ?

The Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo is well connected with all major airports across the globe and flights are easily available. The recommended airlines are:
Srilankan Airlines
Air India
Mihin Lanka
Spicejet
Emirates

There are frequent in-country flights from Colombo to Galle and Kegalle as well.

How safe is Sri Lanka in general ?

Sri Lanka is one of the popular tropical destination in Asia and attracts travelers from all around the world. The locals are friendly and helpful as well, however, it is recommended to consult your in-country coordinators before you step out alone or go to any other locations in Sri Lanka. Also, it is recommended to be with your group whenever you venture out or stay out late in the night. It is strongly recommended to follow the safety rules and regulations provided by the in-country coordinator.

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Sri Lanka. However, we recommend you take general vaccinations such as:
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

Are there any other things that I need to be careful about?

Considering the fact that Sri Lanka is a tropical country, the weather is mostly hot and humid. For people traveling from European and North American countries, it might seem to extremely hot during the days and sultry at night. We would advise you to consume a lot of water and protect yourself from the sun in whichever way possible. Carry an umbrella.
You can consult your doctor once, before traveling to Sri Lanka.

How do I get to the accommodation and the program location?

Your coordinator will meet you at the airport and will take you to your accommodation and introduce you to our team and other volunteers. You will then be provided with the orientation covering areas like culture, customs, safety, locations, placement, greetings, local transportation etc. On the first day of work, the local team will guide you to your project site. Local transportation is included for all participants in the Galle programs. For the participants volunteering in Kosgoda, the project location is not very far from the accommodation as well.

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?

Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighbourhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Our participants stay in two volunteer houses which are located near to each other.

The other larger volunteer house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! Theres a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

If you have special dietary requirements, please mention the same in your application form.

Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program ?

Depending on your project placement, you will get free evenings and weekends to explore in and around the city. You can utilize the evening time to visit local markets and other places around your project location. Make the most of your weekends by exploring Sri Lanka to the fullest.

We encourage our volunteers to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the ‘Add-on Tours’ section in your ‘My Account’. Your in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you are in Sri Lanka.

Which all places can I explore during my trip?

Places like Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Rumassala Mountain, and Galle fort are major attractions in Galle. Volunteers are free to plan quick getaways and explore Sri Lanka during the weekends.You can also relax at the beachside and enjoy the taste of the delicious seafood.Participants head out on the weekends and explore different destinations such as Mirissa, Ella, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya or Yala National Park.

Can I know more about the program locations in Sri Lanka ?

Our volunteer programs are based in the beautiful Southern region of Sri Lanka, with placements available in and around Galle and Kosgoda. Volunteers assigned to Galle projects will stay in Unawatuna, a vibrant and picturesque coastal town located just a short drive from central Galle. Known for its crescent-shaped golden beach and calm turquoise waters, Unawatuna is a favourite destination for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the ocean.

The town offers a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and small shops, as well as access to temples, scenic viewpoints, and nature trails. Its friendly community and lively beach culture make Unawatuna an ideal base for volunteers, offering both comfort and the chance to experience authentic Sri Lankan coastal life while participating in meaningful work.

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Sri Lanka ?

Your program fee covers your accommodation, airport pick-up, orientation, pre-departure booklet, and 24x7 in country staff support. You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing, return airport drop, weekend tours etc. You should carry around $80 - $100 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.

Where can I change my money in Sri Lanka ?

You can change money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. ATMs are conveniently located accross all major towns and cities in Sri Lanka.

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Sri Lankan alumni as well as other former and current volunteers ?

We encourage volunteers to connect with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team. To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer section on our website

Can you put me in contact with other volunteers who have done this program?

We can only provide contact details for former volunteers who have consented to having their data shared. However, there is a Facebook group for past and current volunteers which you are welcome to join. There are also hundreds of reviews online from our former volunteers as well as social media posts on Instagram, TikTok and our You Tube Channel.

Can I meet other volunteers before I arrive?

The best thing to do is join our Facebook group and put up a post detailing your start date, that way you can connect directly with other volunteers joining at the same time as you.

Can I share the flight with other volunteers?

We don’t organize the flights for volunteers, but if you know your arrival date and find other volunteers travelling from the same location, you can book your flights together.

Can I apply with a friend?

Yes! On our application form you can detail the name of the friend(s) or partner you are applying with. You will be placed in the same project and accommodation and in the same dorm (subject to restrictions regarding male and female dorms). There is also the option of a private room upgrade in the volunteer house, subject to availability and the relevant upgrade fee. Please enquire with our team regarding prices and availability.

What happens if the program isn’t available?

We will refund your application fee if the program isn’t available after you have applied.

How do I apply for a program and when do I need to pay?

You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments, however, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior the start of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form. The initial application fee is refunded in the unlikely event that we’re not able to offer you a place on the program, and you have the flexibility to request a change of start date up until the 45 day payment deadline (this is subject to availability for other dates).

A VolSol fornece carta de recomendação ou certificado após a conclusão do programa?

Sim, forneceremos o certificado após a conclusão bem-sucedida do programa. O certificado é fornecido mediante solicitação.

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