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1 Week Special Volunteer Program in Sri Lanka
1 Week Special Volunteer Program in Sri Lanka

Galle, Sri Lanka

1 Week Special Volunteer Program in Sri Lanka

Trip Highlights

  • Incredible volunteering opportunity in the picturesque town of Galle
  • Chance to choose a volunteering program that suits your interests, varying from Teaching Monks, Women Empowerment, Elephant camp as well as Sea Turtle Conservation
  • City tour of Galle, and visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Funfilled evenings that include Movie nights, Beach tours, Yoga sessions under professional yoga teacher etc

Overview

Overview

Be a volunteer for the 1 Week Special Program in Sri Lanka with Volunteering Solutions, and get to immerse yourself in the authentic Sinhalese culture. It'll be an amazing opportunity for those who have limited time in hand, yet excited to travel to this beautiful island nation in Asia and volunteer for a meaningful cause. The best part is that you can choose the perfect program that suits your tastes and preferences, as well as the one in which you think you'll be able to serve the best.

For those who love to be with kids can join the Teaching Program and work with children or Buddhist Monks, helping them to polish their communicative skills, by focusing on the English language. Other than that, volunteers can work with the underprivileged women in Galle, and help them to earn a livelihood as well as teach them to speak in English, guide them for using the computers, etc. Animals lovers can choose to volunteer with the elephants and get to know more about the mahouts, how they take care of these gentle giants and more. If you're a beach lover, then what can be a better treat other than spending your days by the beach, working for a Turtle Conservation Program? No matter which program you opt for, it'll surely be a worthy experience and you'll get to learn a lot from your volunteering journey.


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older 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.


Schedule

Schedule

Day 1 - Arrival in Colombo 

Welcome to Sri Lanka! You can arrive anytime between 7 am and 5 pm, and our project coordinator will be there.  You'll be then transferred to Galle in an Air-Conditioned Van.

Day 2 - Orientation & City Tour 

Today, you'll be given a brief about the culture, the work you'll be doing and other details. Later, you'll get to explore Galle town, including a visit to Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 3 - Start Project work

Morning: Depending on the project that you've chosen, you'll be heading to the project site and experience the goodness of volunteering. You'll get to meet the people, know about them and soak in the authentic vibes.
Evening: Group movie night in the volunteer house.

Day 4 - Continue Project Work 

Morning: You'll continue with your project work.
Evening: Cultural experience - Buddhist temple visit to observe and learn about Buddhist culture up close (guided by our staff).

Day 5 - Continue Project Work 

Morning: You'll continue with your project work.
Evening: Yoga session from an expert yoga teacher on the rooftop of the volunteer house.

Day 6 - Continue Project Work 

Morning: You'll continue with your project work.
Afternoon/Evening: Surfing class from an expert instructor at a local beach (can be substituted for guided bike tour across paddy fields and quaint local villages if there is a group of 4+ participating together).

Day 7 - Continue Project Work 

Morning: You'll continue with your project work.
Afternoon: Free time to explore the neighborhood, the town of Galle and nearby beaches and attractions.

Day 8 - Departure from Galle to Colombo airport in an air-conditioned van

As this amazing week comes to an end, you can head off to explore another destination or return back home with a bag full of memories.
(Flights should depart between 10 am and 8 pm to avail the included transfer)


Note: Schedules can be altered from time to time (e.g., some projects can occur in the afternoons on certain days) but all the activities listed above will be provided.


Living

Living

At Volunteering Solutions we ensure that all our international volunteers are provided the utmost comfort so that they can have a home away from home experience while working with us. We ensure that your stay, meals and other personal requirements are looked after well. 

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 hrs. Participants are also dropped off to the airport upon completion of the program during the scheduled airport drop hrs. 

Note : Airport Transfers are provided at extra charges of USD $35 each way for a shared transfer during scheduled pickup hours on Saturday.There will be 2 shared airport transfers every Saturday (Morning and afternoon/evening) from airport to Galle and vice versa for return departures.​  A private transfer will cost USD 100.

Accommodation

Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighborhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The volunteer house has 11 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 neighborhood 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.

Other than that, we'll also be glad to provide single/double/family private room upgrades. The beach is just about 5 minutes walk from the stay and you can reach the Galle Fort in about 15 minutes.

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.

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. We have two lady chefs (a head chef and an assistant) from our 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.

During Free Time

There is plenty to do during the freetime 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

Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

06

13

20

27

February

03

10

17

24

March

02

09

16

23

30

April

06

13

20

27

May

04

11

18

25

June

01

08

15

22

29

July

06

13

20

27

August

03

10

17

24

31

September

07

14

21

28

October

05

12

19

26

November

02

09

16

23

30

December

07

14

21

28

January

04

11

18

25

February

01

08

15

22

March

01

08

15

22

29

April

05

19

26

May

03

10

17

24

31

June

07

14

21

28

July

05

12

19

26

August

02

09

16

23

30

September

06

13

20

27

October

04

11

18

25

November

01

08

15

22

29

December

06

13

27

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

1 Week $725

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 5% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • ​Dedicated volunteer housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
  • 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 Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Visa Fee
  • International Airfare
  • Scheduled Airport Transfers from Colombo Airport (available at extra charges)
  • Vaccinations
  • Any personal expenses
  • Additional Local Excursions and Trips

Reviews

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

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Health and Safety

Accommodation and Living

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