Overview
The project has two centers, namely Special Education Center & Skill Development Center
Skill Development Center: The volunteers should be to provide some vocational training to the inmates. Besides vocational training, they are given therapeutic interventions (like speech and occupational therapy) and are involved in extracurricular activities like dance, music etc. Some of the vocational training activities include: Baking, Paper Bag and Envelope Making, Clay Modelling, Tailoring, Candle Making, Book Binding, Computer training.
Special Education Center: The Special Education Centre focuses on overall development of the children depending on individual needs. Student assessments are done by special educators and also alternative strategies and therapies are given which include speech therapy and other multi-sensory activities.
Participants can work from Monday to Friday for 4-5 hrs a day.
Living
Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) are provided to the participants including weekends.
You would be staying at one of our Volunteer home base in Badulla. The accommodations are neat and clean.
Accommodation is shared amongst volunteers on the ‘same gender sharing’ basis rooms. Air conditioning facility is provided during the night in the volunteer resort accommodations. Wifi internet is also available for your convenience.
The home is close to useful amenities like banks, ATM’s, currency exchanges, restaurants, cafes, and shopping arcades. All placements are around 10 – 30 minutes from the accommodation. Volunteers/Interns will be shown their placement site on the first day of work.
Meals
To give a proper feel, mostly Sri Lankan food will be provided to the volunteers/ interns.
Breakfast – Bread, Milk Rice, Tea , Jam, Butter, Fruits etc.
Lunch – Rice with 03 Vegetable curries , Meat or Fish , Dessert
Dinner – vegetable rice, roti (Indian bread), Noodles, Hoppers, Tea & yogurt
We’ll ensure that you get to experience a pleasant stay.
Itinerary
For volunteers living in the volunteers’ house, this would be a general routine:
Breakfast – 07:30 am onwards.
Working hours at the placement – 09:00 am (leave the accommodation by 08:30 am) to 02 :00 pm.
Lunch – Between 12:30 pm to 1.00 pm (Lunch packets will offer).
Dinner – 06:00 pm onwards.
Weekends : Free to explore the beauties in Sri Lanka
Cost
Inclusions
- Comprehensive pre-departure guide
- Round the clock assistance from support staff and In-country program coordinator
- Airport pickup
- Program orientation
- Accommodation in Volunteer Resort/Guesthouse
- Volunteering with Childcare / Early Childhood Development Program
- Breakfast and meals as specified in the itinerary
- Local transportation to and from program location
- Guides for local sightseeing in Sri Lanka
Not Included
- International/Domestic Airfare
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Entry fees at monuments
- Departure transfer to airport (can be arranged at nominal cost)
Program Start Date:
Program is not available in the months of April / August and December due to the vacations. You may join with Orphanage Teaching program on above months. Find more in Orphanage Teaching Program.
Additionally, project is not available during the public holidays. Local coordinator will liaise with you for more information.
FAQs
We welcome people from any part of the world to join our programs irrespective of which part of the world volunteers belong from outside Sri Lanka.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the volunteer programs?
Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lanka volunteer projects :
Volunteers must be 17 year or older at the time of joining the project.
16 year old volunteers can participate in all our projects with a Letter of Consent from their parents.
Need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Sri Lanka is a country of different cultures and traditions, though it is modernized, the cultural sensitivities need to be kept in mind before volunteering in Sri Lanka. The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
Must be in good health.
Will I get an airport pickup facility?
Helping Hills Sri Lanka representative would be there to receive you at the airport, holding placards, displaying your name. You’ll be picked up from the airport and taken by a car to your accommodation. Volunteers need to send us their arrival information at least 10 days in advance so that we can facilitate your airport pickup.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?
Yes, you are welcome to take part in any of the Helping Hills Sri Lanka Programs as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in our programs.
Flights and Visa
Does Helping Hills Sri Lanka helps with Visa?
All enrolled participants are provided information about the appropriate Visa requirements for Sri Lanka in the pre-departure manual. You can also contact your pre-departure point of contact to know more about the Visa requirements.
Health & Safety
How safe is Sri Lanka in particular?
Sri Lanka has been nominated by Lonely Planet as the best destination for traveling in 2019.
Sri Lanka is a country of diverse cultures and practices. Like in any new foreign country, participants are advised to follow the guidelines specified by the project coordinator to enjoy their Sri Lankan experience fully. The program coordinators are always ready to help and give helpful safety tips. During the first day of the orientation, you will be given safety guidelines and will be informed about the do’s and dont’s.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need ?
All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to Sri Lanka.
Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Helping Hills Sri Lanka. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
Accommodation and Living
How do I get to the program location?
Your project coordinator will take you to your project placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.
You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation as well as the best and the most affordable mode of transport you can use. Volunteers use a variety of modes of transport to commute to different locations in Galle.
I want to know more about accommodation and food arrangements?
Volunteers are provided accommodation in a volunteer resort or in a homestay (on request) accommodation managed by the local coordinating team. Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) are provided to the volunteers throughout their stay.
Can vegetarians be accommodated?
Yes, that is not a problem at all. In fact, volunteers are served vegetarian meals at the accommodations in Sri Lanka.
Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program ?
Volunteers work from Monday – Friday and have their weekends free for sightseeing. You can utilize this time to visit Galle fort , Unwatuna beach & Hikkaduwa Beach . During the weekend, you have the option to take a short trip to any touristic city in Sri Lanka . Additionally, you have the option to take trips mentioned in ADD-ON TOURS. There is a lot to do and explore, and the local team would happily assist you in making travel plans and arrangements for short trips.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Sri Lanka?
Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport whilst on traveling, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $50-60 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on different weekend trips out of town.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?
Depending on the project, elected volunteers will work during the week from Monday- Friday. You will have afternoons & weekends off so you can travel. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
What if I do not speak the local language? Would that interfere with my volunteering experience?
Do not worry, all the coordinators can speak and converse in English.
We recommend participants to brush up their Sinhala language skills (learn basic terms and phrases, greetings) before traveling.
Where can I change my money in Sri Lanka? Are there ATMs?
On arrival at the airport, you can change your foreign currency to Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) at the money exchange counters. Sri Lanka has a modern banking system and all the major credit and debit cards are accepted without any problems. ATMs are available in plenty and you will be shown the nearest ATM from the accommodation as well.
