📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
This project is organized by the Gami Seva Sevana (Shelter for village) GSS, and they are conducting various development activities in the area. This area is an abandon tea plantation area, now most areas are colonized by locals. Majority of the community is south Indian Tamils but surrounding traditional villages are Sinhala. They have village school, categorized under “Harsh or difficult”. Teachers are not motivated to go this kind of poor schools because of lack of facilities. According to local thinking Science, Mathematics and English are the most difficult subjects because lack of teachers. Students are studying English since age of 8 but they do not have an opportunity to use it. During the visits of the villages, they were warring about their language skills. We need to make English as a practical subject.
💼 What the programme involves
Mainly teaching English to village youths and adults using practical way. It could be a story telling, speech, expedition, role play or a game. Volunteers can join with the Women’s group work as an observer and their other activities. First volunteers have to make an activity plan. If volunteers have profession or skilled about any related skills, volunteers can perform them with village community after discussed with the group.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Village house. Volunteers have a single room. Host family will cook for you. No hot water, internet and WiFi. Cloths washing by hand. All the basic facilities are there. We are not eating beef and pork.
📍 About the location
Located at 130km from Colombo. This is a mountainous area and elevation is 1,100m above sea level. Environment is cool, windy and low humid. Used for tea plantation by the British people until late 19th century. Still some plantations can be seen. Agriculture, dairy farming and working at tea plantation are the main income of the community.
⚠️ Requirements
Good English, Speaking, reading and writing, High motivation to work with rural people, adapt/ respect to local culture and rules. Desirables are language skills of Sri Lankan, experience of travelling, some experience about organic agriculture, know some games for youths, children etc. Good health. No any kind of drugs, alcohol or smoking during the project period.
ℹ️ Additional information
Other activities: Volunteers can learn how to cook local meals and taste different fruits. Meditation center is just 3 km away from the center. Volunteers can visit there when volunteers free while experiencing nature of hill country.
Other: Volunteers have to work 5 days per week, at least 6 hours per day. Volunteers have to work one weekend day according to request of school children. Two free days, volunteers can arrange as two consecutive days or different two days.