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The Experience

Timing & Arrangements

Each volunteer will spend approximately three days travelling and eleven days at the site. The first day is for acclimatization; eight days are spent working; and, there are two days off based on the work schedule and local holidays. Our next volunteer trip is planned for April 12-26, 2013.

All travel, transfers, accommodations and meals are included and organized for TRIP by DEVELOPINGWORLDCONNECTIONS. Volunteers land at Colombo International Airport in the capital of Sri Lanka.

Work Site

TRIP is currently rebuilding a school that serves a small, poor rural community.

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. We go out for dinner at local restaurants several evenings for some variety and local experience.

 
 

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. For lunch and dinner, beach bars and restaurants serve 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.

 
 
Work Experience

Supported by skilled Sri Lankan labourers, Monks from the Temple, children and adults, rebuilding tasks include:
  • Clearing land
  • Digging and building foundations
  • Moving dirt for floors
  • Unloading and moving all materials
  • Making concrete, mortar and plaster by hand
  • Building brick walls
  • Tiling roofs
  • Plastering, painting and staining
  • Finishing floors
  • 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.