Share your life with local community
Code: 6040d64a-e056-11ef-9ba5-fa163ef8d720 Copied
About the project
Share your life with local community
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Green Volunteers for Green Future (GV4GF) is a non-profit organization registered under the Government Company Registrar Act. Established in 2010, we've been co-organizing work camps since 2011, thanks to the kind assistance of Mr. Kaizawa, a founding member of NICE – Japan.
At GV4GF, we focus on cultural exchange through our work camps, which cover four main themes: agriculture, environmental protection, livelihood, and indirect education. We partner with local organizations to ensure our activities meet their goals and benefit the maximum number of people. Our area coordinators, who represent various community-based organizations, work in diverse fields such as agriculture, human rights, and women's development.
Since 2011, we've been partners with NVDA (Asian Voluntary Organizations Network), and in 2018, we became full members. That same year, we joined ALLIANCE as a guest organization.
Beyond voluntary work, we also support local communities and schools by providing meals, books, sports equipment, and helping schools to hire teachers. Our former volunteers often contribute directly to these efforts.
💼 What the programme involves
This project is actively working for SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), organized with the GAMI DIRIYA women's organization since 2023.
The project consists of two key components. First, we support families engaged in self-employment by enhancing their income-generating activities, which include home gardening, family workshops, and nurseries.
In the second component, we visit villages to engage with the community, including self-help groups, youth, and local institutions like temples and kindergartens. This provides volunteers with the chance to share their lives, cultures, and experiences with the locals while fostering meaningful connections within the community.
🏠 Accommodation on site
All volunteers will stay with a host family. Volunteers will share rooms, with separate rooms for males and females. Beds, pillows, and mosquito nets are provided. Water, electricity, and 3G/4G data connections are available. In some houses, toilet paper can be used. Clothes need to be washed by hand and hung outside to dry.
🍲 Food
Our host mother will be cooking for us. Volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of local foods, sweets, fruits, and tea during their stay. Our host families take pride in offering delicious and authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. However, please note that pork and beef are not served. This provides a chance to experience the rich flavors of traditional dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients
📍 About the location
Higurakgoda is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, within the Polonnaruwa District. It is situated approximately 248 km from Colombo and can be reached by bus in about 7 hours. Higurakgoda is a suburban area of Polonnaruwa, primarily dependent on paddy farming. The region is dotted with numerous lakes, which supply water to the paddy fields, making it an agricultural hub.
The population density is relatively low, with around 112 people per square kilometer. Following Sri Lanka's independence in 1956, the government initiated a significant development project in the North Central Province to boost agriculture. As part of this initiative, thousands of families were relocated to this area, and now, four generations later, many of these families continue to reside here. However, it’s notable that the younger generation is often less inclined to pursue farming like their parents.
The climate in Higurakgoda is warm, providing suitable conditions for the cultivation of various crops. The area’s rich agricultural heritage and the scenic beauty of its lakes make it a unique and integral part of Sri Lanka’s landscape.
🎒 Leisure activities
In Higurakgoda, volunteers can explore several significant sites:
• Monastery Complex: An ancient complex built over 1,100 years ago, offering a glimpse into the region's historical and religious heritage.
• Polonnaruwa Kingdom: Visit the historical ruins of this ancient city, which was once a thriving kingdom.
• Lakes: Enjoy the serene beauty of the region's large lakes, which are integral to local agriculture.
• Scenic Landscapes: Take in the beautiful landscapes and natural scenery that the area has to offer.
• Temples: Visit some of the charming and culturally rich temples in the area.
⚠️ Requirements
During the project, we’ll be using English as our primary means of communication, so a basic understanding of English is necessary. Volunteers will be staying in rural areas, often in traditional villages. It's important to accept and respect the local culture. Being adaptable and flexible will make your experience even more rewarding.
Be ready to share stories about your country, city, work, and personal life with the local community. And most importantly, bring along a smiling face and a big, warm heart.
🤝 Meeting point
All volunteers will meet at the Colombo Government Central Bus Terminal, in front of the Galle (Route No. 2) bus stop, at 9:00 a.m. The camp leader will be there to greet you. Together, all the campers will then travel to the site by bus.
Please note that there is another bus terminal, the Private Bus Terminal, which we are not using. You can recognize government buses by their red color, while private buses are mainly light blue and white, though they come in other colors too.
ℹ️ Additional information
We're organizing group projects with the local community and village schools. During school hours (8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), we'll be with the students, and afterward, we'll be engaging with the village youths. Throughout the project period, participants will have the chance to experience local life, meet and share with local families, members of women's groups, and more. The group camps can be organized for 6 to 10 days.
Group project location can be changed according to number of participants. Up to 8 members can arrange a home stay, If a group between 8 to 15 we are arranging a holiday home, if the group is more than 14, we can arrange it in a training center.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
Share your life with local communities
03/06/2025 at 09:00 → 12/06/2025 at 16:30
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 years old
Solidarity donation
255.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Hingurakgoda, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR / ₨)
Exchange rate
1 LKR = 0.002693 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
India Standard Time
Local time: 21:06 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken