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Galle, Sri Lanka

Family Volunteer Adventure in Sri Lanka

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Trip Highlights

Exploring the unparalleled beauty and rich heritage of Sri Lanka!
Volunteer with your family in Environmental and Turtle Conservation Project
Embarking on a journey to the iconic Galle Dutch Fort and the postcard-perfect Unawatuna Beach
Immersing myself in the teachings of Buddhism at a renowned temple in Sri Lanka
Paddling down the pristine Gin Ganga River and participating in its conservation
Indulging in rejuvenating yoga sessions, embracing the local wellness practices
Mastering the art of surfing at one of Sri Lanka's stunning beaches
Joining a guided biking expedition through charming villages and lush paddy fields
Great bonding opportunity for the family while giving back to the nature
Great learning opportunity for kids learning about turtles and conservation

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Overview Program Requirements Itinerary Living Costs Dates Reviews

Overview

Embark on an incredible journey to explore the captivating island of Sri Lanka with your family through an exhilarating one-week volunteer program! This amazing opportunity seamlessly blends cultural immersion, environmental conservation, and community service work, , creating an experience that will stay with you and your family forever.

Itinerary Summary

Sat: Arrival in CMB. Private transfer to Galle.
Sun: Training and orientation + Area tour
Mon: Turtle hatchery (morning) + Buddhist temple visit (afternoon)
Tue: River cleaning in kayaks (morning) + Yoga class (afternoon)
Wed: Turtle hatchery (morning) + Surfing lesson (afternoon)
Thu: Interacting with local children (arts and crafts, games, etc.) in the morning + bike ride across countryside (afternoon)
Fri: Beach clean-up (morning)
Sat: Departure (airport transfer included)

Program Requirements

A minimum of 3 family members are required to take part in this program.The minimum age requirement for children taking part in the program is 6 years at the time of joining the program. All participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program.

Schedule

Please note the activities listed below are subject to change based on local conditions on the ground at the time.

Day 1 (Sat): Arrival in Colombo airport. Private group transfer to accommodation in Galle.

Day 2 (Sun): Training and orientation session (includes introduction to Sri Lanka, cultural awareness training as well as training for the various project activities) in the morning followed by area orientation tour in and around Galle and Unawatuna neighbourhoods in the afternoon/early evening (includes key sites such as Galle Dutch Fort, Unawatuna Beach, Galle market, etc).

Day 3 (Mon): We commence the project activities with a visit to our sea turtle hatchery to learn about endangered sea turtles and our ongoing turtle conservation efforts. The family will participate in hands-on conservation work such as feeding and cleaning the turtles, taking care of older and disabled turtles, cleaning the turtle tanks and general hatchery area, filling tanks with fresh sea water to mimic their natural environment, and other ad hoc tasks. The goal is to protect and conserve critically endangered sea turtles that are native to the waters of the Indian Ocean, and particularly to Sri Lanka. Supported by our hatchery staff and turtle project coordinator..
In the afternoon/early evening, we visit a prominent Buddhist Temple for a cultural immersion session to learn about the basics about Buddhism, the main religion of the island. This visit includes a tour of the temple to gain a better understanding of its history and culture and a chance to see Buddhist monk(s) go about their day-to-day lives.

Day 4 (Tue): In the morning we embark on a river cleaning session as part of our local environmental conservation efforts. We visit the tributaries of the Gin Ganga River, an important 116 km long water body originating from the virgin Sinharaja Rainforest and flowing down through several villages towards Galle and into the Indian Ocean. Keeping the river clean benefits local neighbouring communities, the surrounding flora and fauna, and ultimately the ocean. This part of the project involves volunteers riding in canoes and cleaning smaller tributaries of the river of plastic and other waste products that threaten the immediate ecosystem. Life jackets, canoes, oars, scooping nets and waste collecting bags are provided. It requires teamwork and a sense of adventure, all done in a beautiful rural natural setting surrounded by paddy fields.

In the afternoon we indulge in a group Yoga class led by an experienced Yoga teacher. Yoga is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular health & wellness activities and our classes are suitable for both beginners and experienced Yogis.

Day 5 (Wed ): In the morning we head back for another visit to our sea turtle hatchery to perform a different set of conservation tasks than we did on the first day. The first session focuses more on feeding-related activities while this session is more cleaning-oriented. Exact set of tasks in both sessions will be determined as per the project needs on the ground at the time.

In the afternoon we arrange a group surfing lesson (weather permitting) for the family. Surfing is one of the fastest growing and most loved sports in Sri Lanka. The lesson is provided by qualified instructors and surf boards are provided. Good opportunity to learn how to surf or refine one’s surfing skills. Those who don’t wish to participate can relax on the beach.

Day 6 (Thu): In the morning the family volunteers with young children (aged 3-6 years). They will be assisted by our own Educational Coordinators who will help with planning and translations. The participants will help conduct various educational and fun learning activities for the children in this immersive and interactive session. Typical activities include arts and crafts, playing educational games, drawing, singing & dancing, storytelling, etc.

In the afternoon we embark upon a guided bike tour across lush paddy fields and quaint local villages. Explore the greenery and rustic pathways of the Sri Lankan countryside (includes a pitstop at a local coconut garden for some refreshing coconut water).

Day 7 (Fri): The last volunteering activity of the week is a group beach cleaning session in the morning at a prominent local beach as part of our ongoing local conservation efforts. The family will join other volunteers to help clean up the beach and surrounding areas from unwanted plastic and other toxic waste. This initiative will involve team effort and coordination to help preserve our vital marine ecosystems.
The afternoon is left open for self-exploration or relaxation as desired.

Day 8 (Sat): Private transfer to Colombo airport to catch departure flight back. Goodbye Sri Lanka!

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
Families will be provided private airport transfers to and from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport Airport by a representative of the local coordinating team on the program start and end date respectively.

Accommodation

Families will be provided accommodation in a beautiful, peaceful, boutique-style guesthouse/villa located very near to the volunteer house. The villa combines the convenience of a boutique hotel with the feeling of a private home; a secluded place to relax and unwind in quiet and secure surroundings. The twin/ triple sharing rooms are decorated in modern, contemporary Asian style with en-suite bathrooms and solar-powered hot water and airconditioning. The accommodation is just a two minute walk to Unawatuna beach with its wide range of great value cafes, restaurants and bars. If accommodation is not available at the villa, another suitable accommodation shall be arranged.

Orientation

A detailed program Orientation will be provided to the families before starting the volunteering program.All participants on arrival get a welcome presentation including health and safety training, culture presentation, project specific presentation and area orientation tour.

Meals

Breaskfast shall be provided at the guesthouse/villa and lunch and dinner will be served at the main volunteer house along with other volunteers. 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

Although the one week family volunteer adventure itinerary is pretty comprehensive and includes many activities for families, additional activities can also be arranged by the local team at additional charges. Otherwise, you can always choose to relax and explore Unawatuna or join other volunteers in monthly activities such as movie nights, bbq dinners at the volunteer house.

Dates

2024

2025

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Past Date

Available

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Costs

1 Week $875

Please Note: -An application fee of $249 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 5% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

Discounted Price for Children Aged 6-12 yrs will be USD 750 each. Full price chargeable for for all family members aged 13 years and older

What are you Paying for?

Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
All projects and activities listed above
Private accommodation in AC rooms (twin or triple sharing)
Private airport transfer both ways
Local transportation to all projects and activities
Orientation and training on arrival
Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
Dedicated staff support on all projects and activities
24/7 local emergency support
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

Flights
Visa
Personal Expenses

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. 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 to the starting of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
: 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.
: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer projects:

The minimum age requirement for the programs in Sri Lanka is 17 years.
Volunteers participating in the Medical Program should be at least 18-year-old.
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.
: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years, we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
: 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 accommodations. Accommodation will be provided in the volunteer house located near your placements.

A short orientation is given after arrival about the city and placements. The volunteers are also taken for a short tour of Colombo before they start with their program. However, the tour depends on the arrival time of your flight.
: 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 year's 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.
: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
: Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can alter at times.
: Volunteers 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 then obtain a Visa on Arrival in Sri Lanka for 30 days.
Volunteers can apply for ETA online and the approval of the same will be communicated via email.
Volunteers can be provided with the supporting documents if needed. More information will be provided once you enroll for the program.
: 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.
: 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.
: 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
: Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
: 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.
: 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 coordinator will guide you to your project site.
: Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighborhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Participants stay in one of the two volunteer homes located in close proximity to each other. The 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 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 also provide single/double/family private room upgrades at extra charges. The beach is just about 5 minutes walk from the stay and you can reach the Galle Fort in about 15 minutes.

If you have special dietary requirements, please mention the same in your application form.
: 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.
: Places like Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Rumassala Mountain, and Galle fort are major attractions in Galle, and Kegalle is a city of ancient architecture and natural beauty. 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.
: 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 $50 - $60 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.
: You can change money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATMs located all around the city (Galle, Kandy, Ambalangoda and Kegalle) as well.
: 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