📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
This workcamp has been organized with Green Volunteers for Green Future (GV4GF) since 2012 (2013 in this place). GV4GF is a NPO to promote voluntary service, while protecting environment based on cultural exchange to improve rural lives in area. Forests occupied 50% of the national land 20 years ago, but now only 30%. Mahiyanganaya is located at dry area and less developed zone, community is living with poverty, education is far from their lives. Farming season is Aug.-Jan. and in Feb.-Jul., they have to survive with as a casual labor, begging from others or have to move to another area for livelihood. Few of them make handicrafts, clay pots and collect bee honey from the forest, rear local cattle and collect milk once a day but yield is below the average.
💼 What the programme involves
In the 1st week, we will establish a plant nursery by cleaning the land, making composts, filling soil to the bags, making shades, etc. In the 2nd week, we will visit around and do 1. Cultural exchange with villagers and youth, 2. Activities with children and 3. Work and assist to the self-help group members' activities.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Village house at nice location, close to the main road. There is electricity, so we can charge our mobile and cameras, but internet is weak and let's enjoy simple life without internet in the indigenous community. Host family will cook different kinds of local foods with fruits and we should wash our dishes and clothes by hand.
📍 About the location
Dambana is located at 208 km from Colombo. Known as a home of the indigenous people. Local community mixed with them and new generation is rising up. Climate is dry, but this period could be little cool.
⚠️ Requirements
High motivation to work while experiencing different type of life style, accept challenges, adopt to local environment, respect and accept local life and culture.
255 USD to be paid on your arrivals. 7/10 days participants should pay 185/215 USD. 20 USD less for Repeaters of GV4GF workcamps and those from less expensive countries. There is optional service of 40 USD to pick up at the airport and one night stay in the guest house.
7/10 days participation is possible only in 05/09-05/15 and 05/09-05/18. Please write this period on the application form if you want to join only for 7/10 days.
ℹ️ Additional information
other activities:We can visit nearby temple, visit to meet Sri Lanka's aboriginal people, some other attractive points located around the area.