The Program
In December 2005, the first team of TRIP volunteers arrived in Sri Lanka to start work on land purchased by TRIP Canada near the southern town of Tangalle. By February 2007 over $300,000 was raised and more than 75 volunteers, working alongside Sri Lankan labourers, had built a village including 24 homes, a community centre, playground, two retail shops and a prayer centre.
The experience so inspired all its volunteers that TRIP decided to continue rebuilding in the same area. Now the focus is rebuilding damaged homes and schools for families impacted by the tsunami and the ongoing effects of poverty.
Timing
Each volunteer will spend approximately three days travelling and eleven days at the site. The first day is for acclimatization; nine days are spent working; and, there is one day off based on the work schedule and local holidays.
Arrangements
All travel, transfers, accommodations and meals are included and organized for the team by DEVELOPINGWORLDCONNECTIONS. Volunteers land at Colombo International Airport in the capital of Sri Lanka.
Work Site
TRIP is currently rebuilding houses near Tangalle in the southern part of Sri Lanka.
Daily Schedule
A typical work day includes:
07:00 - Breakfast and bus to work site
08:00 - Work begins with rest and water breaks
12:00 - Lunch at site
13:00 - Back to work
15:00 - Return to hotel
The balance of the afternoon is spent at leisure, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Sri Lanka
A beautiful lush island off the southeastern tip of India, Sri Lanka is half the size of England with a population of approximately 18 million. The Sinhalese form 74% of the population and are largely Buddhist. Tamils, making up 18% of the population, originated from the Indian sub-continent and are primarily Hindus.
In 1983, conflict arose with terrorism initiated by the Tamil Tigers concerned about the Tamil population losing their chances for advancement when Sinhala was declared the national language. A civil war was waged until a formal truce was signed in 2002. Since 2006 violence has increased with most incidents occurring in the north and the east. The places where TRIP and DWC will work and visit are very quiet and we have not experienced any issues during our trips.
Along with other southeastern Asian countries, Sri Lanka was devastated by the tsunami: 37,000 people are dead or missing; 15,000 injured; and, 500,000 homeless. With those living on the coast dependant on fishing, tourism and agriculture, close to 400,000 jobs have been lost. Enduring all this, Sri Lankans are extremely warm, friendly, and hospitable with family and religion playing a major part in their lives. Volunteers are enthusiastically welcomed in their homes and lives.
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You gain a greater appreciation for teamwork. All tasks are new, and few can be accomplished individually.
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Work Experience
Supported by skilled Sri Lankan labourers, children and adults, rebuilding tasks include:
- Clearing land
- Digging and building foundations
- Moving dirt for floor
- Unloading and moving all materials
- Making concrete, mortar and plaster by hand
- Building brick walls
- Tiling roofs
- Plastering, painting and staining
- Finishing floors
- Unloading and moving all materials
- Lots of cleaning up
- Having lots of fun learning how to accomplish these tasks with a team of novices and 'experts' speaking a foreign language!
- Meeting children, fathers, mothers, grand parents brimming with gratitude who help out and want to teach you their words and ways.
Life Experience
You learn a lot just by putting yourself in this situation. The trip offers the opportunity to experience:
- The reward of serving others and how it contributes to a full and satisfying life.
- Learning that one small act of kindness can have big impact and does make a difference.
- The personal fulfillment from doing demanding physical labour in a foreign environment.
- Immersion in a developing country and new culture.
- Challenging human dynamics working and living 24/7 with a diverse team.
- Value of getting involved and personally delivering a very tangible donation.
- A deeper appreciation for friends and family; for the simple things in life; and, for the numerous benefits of living and working in Canada.
After Work
There is so much to say about this wonderful country - ‘pearl of the tropics’ and blessed with nature's bounty:
Recreation activities include: beaches, swimming, surfing, boating, scuba diving, cricket.
Beach bars and restaurants serving curries and other specialty foods.
Popular tourist opportunities: Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, the exotic symbol of Sri Lanka's Buddhist history; old Catholic and Christian churches, mosques and temples; colonial fortresses; turtle hatcheries; archaeological museums; tropical rain forests, and caves; national parks, sanctuaries and nature reserves; botanical and spice gardens; tea estates; world heritage sites and ruins of cities.
And, at the end, you may find that you actually gain more than you give, returning home with your life changed – forever.
Find out more about our trips. >>>
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