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Gap Years & Volunteering in Sri Lanka

Gap Years & Volunteering in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan serendipity! The very word is derived from one of the old names for Sri Lanka - Serendib! Like a tear drop in the India Ocean.

Sri Lanka is blessed by a bountiful climate, fantastic beaches, tea and coffee plantations and sub-tropical forest-covered hills. Oh, and some of the most welcoming, most bewitching people in the whole world.

Although, in 2003, it had the world's fastest expanding economy, it has not escaped its share of problems. There is the unresolved conflict with Tamil separatists, and Sri Lanka was also badly hit by the tsunami of 2004, particularly in the coastal belt in the south.

Community Volunteering in Sri Lanka

AV works with the Hopes and Dreams' project in the Hikkaduwa area in the south west of Sri Lanka. Here, whilst tourists enjoy this popular destination, a little way inland there are still the physical remnants of houses and families swept away in the tsunami. These visible scars provide daily reminders of dreadful human tragedy - orphaned children, families broken by the wave and lots of disabled people (young and old). The project provides help aimed at the social infrastructure rather than just simple housing.

AV will help with both the construction of the Hope and Dreams' Village and with the work that even now goes on there. We need volunteers interested in teaching, designing or assisting with the vocational training, assisting in the medical centre, teaching music or instructing children in sports and swimming. We also need to continue building and improving the village.  We will initially arrange Shorter Ventures of five weeks and can cater for some individual placements.

Sri Lankan 5 week Short Venture

You and your group will spend three weeks on a volunteer placement helping to build more facilities in the Hopes and Dreams Village. Perhaps adding to the dormitory accommodation, painting and decorating, or helping to clear the jungle behind the cottages for sports' grounds or new cottages. If you (or we!)  tire of building you can help with teaching, craft work or sports with the children. You will live in a nearby guest house, walking to work each day. After three weeks of working on the project, you will have a ‘safari' in Sri Lanka's National Parks, a visit to the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, a visit to a turtle sanctuary and a four day dolphin course.

Short Venture Community Volunteering in Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA SHORT VENTURE PHOTO GALLERY