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Institutional Member of
The College of Teachers
London, UK
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Volunteer Programs: Galle, Sri Lanka
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About Sri Lanka |
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Sri Lanka is the teardrop off the tip of Southern India. The island is famed for its palm-fringed beaches, tea plantations and rickshaws.
The Portuguese, Dutch and eventually the British have run this beautiful country. Ceylon as it was known was given its independence in 1948.
The food in Sri Lanka is a real pleasure. Imagine eating a jackfruit curry or drinking the sweetest mango juice you have ever tried! You will be amazed at the range of curries available. And don't forget to try some of the fresh fish straight out of the boat. Another passion for Sri Lankans is cricket. Whether you are talking to an orange-robed Buddhist monk or a young school student they will want to find out what you think of their heroes and which team you support.
Sri Lanka provides so many opportunities in a small space. You may want to visit Colombo to see the mass of Hindu temples across the city. In Galle you can visit the Dutch fort. If you go inland you may want to visit some of the elephant sanctuaries. The attraction for many is the beaches around the coast and the opportunity to dive and snorkel at reasonable prices.
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About Galle |
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The capital of the southern province is a city with a colourful history. UNESCO declared World Heritage Site the magnificent Dutch fort is the most popular attraction of the town. The 300-year-old Dutch atmosphere is still very much alive around the fort and amidst its many historical buildings not invaded by the skyscrapers. The beautiful beach of Unawatuna is just 6km south east of the city centre.
The southern coastal belt is the most popular among the tourists and comes to life mainly from October through April when the monsoon moves northeast and the sea becomes calm with blue skies. The earliest European administrative centre of Sri Lanka was the major port and the largest city until the British shifted the port to Colombo. The City of Galle had been the European administrative centre over 4 centuries.
Shopping
Sri Lanka offers an interesting and existing array of items for shoppers. Gems, Finished Garments, Batiks, Tea and Handicrafts are popular shopping itineraries among the tourists. Handlooms fabric materials, leather products, furniture, reproduction of antiques, jewellery and ceramic are also popular with visitors of fine taste who appreciate the very best!
Further reading in the Lonely Planet
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Volunteer Placement |
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After the Tsunami
For countless families of Sri Lanka’s fishermen, the Dec. 26 tsunami was a living nightmare. This disaster brought unimaginable pain and suffering, washing away loved ones, homes, belongings, and hope for the future for many families. Today, thousands of these destitute families still live in tents. In response to the overwhelming request of so many around the world, WTS began its Tsunami education Project, allowing international volunteers the opportunity to participate first-hand in the enormous task of providing education and much needed teaching materials to the children of Sri Lanka. Finally, the hard work, time, compassion, and resources of so many selfless volunteers worldwide have reaped benefits for local Sri Lankan fishermen and their families.
You, as a volunteer, will take home more than new skills and unforgettable memories. You will be called upon to use your talents in many ways. You will also gain the personal satisfaction of knowing you were instrumental in bringing about positive change for the benefit of the children of Sri lanka. You won’t just be helping these children but also future generations to come because children are, indeed, the future.
All volunteers will receive additional induction training from the local organization upon arrival. This training covers the layout, policies, and procedures including health, safety and emergency protocols for the organization.
You will receive a monthly allowance of $100 USD, which will be sufficient to cover your basic food costs. You should however, bring some more funds to subsidise your expenditure, social life and any activities that you might want to peruse!
Duties
Teaching conversational English to tsunami orphans and rural communities and assisting local English teachers; lesson planning, Activities etc.
Working Hours
You can expect to work approximately 4-5 hours a day between 8.00am – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. Additional time will be spent lesson planning. An average working week is around 30 -40 hours.
Resources
Some teaching materials are provided however volunteers may want to bring additional materials such as simple reading books, postcards, photos, games etc.
Food
We recommend that you acquire a taste for the local cuisine. You will receive a living allowance of 100 USD Per Month to cover your basic living costs although your home-stay family will provide most meals.
Travel & Health Insurance
Travel & Health insurance is not so much an optional extra as an integral part of any program. Our Insurance Policies cover the obvious problems, such as a stolen wallet or purse, an accident or an illness. They also provide compensation for delays and cancellation, for damaged or lost luggage, and even a telephone help line for emergencies. The cost of your insurance is included in your program. Once we have confirmed your placement we will finalize your travel insurance documents and forward them to you by email around one month before your departure.
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Program Package |
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Your Volunteer Program Package Includes:
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Four-Week, 125 Hour, Fully Certified TEFL/TESOL Training Course - including cultural orientation at our internationally accredited training centre in Koh Samui, Thailand |
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Internationally Recognised, Uniquely Numbered TEFL/TESOL certificate - Fully accredited and certified by the Ministry of Education, recognised worldwide. |
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Guaranteed Volunteer Teaching Placement - at our volunteer centre in Galle. |
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1-2 Months Volunteer Teaching Experience Leading to TEFL/TESOL Diploma Certificate - From the World TEFL School. |
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Travel & Living Allowance - of USD100.00 per month. |
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Thai Language Course & Customs - 10-hour Introductory Thai language course to help you get by in your first month in Thailand. |
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Visa Forms & Support Letter - 100% Acceptance Guaranteed. |
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Private Furnished Accommodation - during training with fan, shower/wash room, fridge, room safe. |
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Placement Accommodation - Shared accommodation in the volunteer house not too far from the school is included in your program package. |
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Airport Pick Up & Transfer - to your pre-arranged hotel. |
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Travel Insurance & Private Health Care Insurance - Comprehensive insurance cover for the duration of your placement. |
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24-hour Support - you will receive full support, advice & assistance from your experienced program coordinator throughout your stay. Our coordinators are from the UK and have over 7 years experience living & working in Asia. |
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Nokia Mobile Phone & International Number - keep in touch with your folks back home. They can call you and you don`t pay for the incoming call! |
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Lonely Planet Travel Guide - in-depth guide book for Sri Lanka. |
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Excursion - around the island. |
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Starter Pack - including adaptor plug, maps, first-aid Kit, teaching materials, lesson plans, tiger balm, shoulder bag, flashlight, pens, notebook & more. |
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Accommodation |
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Basic shared dormitory-style accommodation on campus or home-stay accommodation with a local family is included in your program package. Your coordinator will allocate suitable accommodation for you depending on availability and location. We will endeavor to arrange private or home-stay accommodation for you but this may not always be possible - please be flexible.
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Basic Living Costs |
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As long as you stay away from the tourist traps, the basic costs of living in Sri Lanka are significantly less than those of the UK or the US. If you're careful and on a shoestring budget, you could manage on around GBP 5.00 pounds a day, including food and accommodation. One can have a very nice meal with a drink for less than GBP 0.50 Pence. Eat western food and you can expect to pay at least GBP 1.50. A beer in a restaurant will cost between GBP 0.50 pence to 1.00 pound depending on the brand. Staple groceries also come cheap in supermarkets - a dozen eggs: 10 pence a litre of milk: 30 pence, baht, bottle of beer: 50 p, loaf of bread: 10 p, soft drink: 15 p. Imported wine is expensive at GBP 5.00 for a cheap bottle. Backpacker accommodation is available for GBP 2.00 per night! Exchange rates www.xe.com
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Health & Safety |
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Violent crimes against foreigners are relatively infrequent. When travelling around Sri Lanka, you should make arrangements through reputable travel companies (such as those identified in your guidebook or local listings information) and exercise appropriate caution.
There has been an increase in the number of reported thefts from hotels and guesthouses. You should take sensible precautions to safeguard your valuables, especially passports and money. There are reports of credit card fraud.
Emergency medical treatment is not easily available outside main cities, and injured people may have to be brought to Colombo for treatment. Medical facilities are not always of a standard expected in the UK, particularly outside Colombo. Treatment in private hospitals can be expensive and the options for repatriation to the UK or neighbouring countries in an emergency are limited and very expensive.
Dengue fever occurs throughout the country and outbreaks of Dengue increase during the monsoon season. Malaria exists in parts of Sri Lanka. Rabies is widespread and common in local cats, dogs, squirrels, monkeys and other animals. Before travelling to Sri Lanka, you should contact your GP for medical and inoculation advice.
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General |
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All applicants must be aged 20+ in excellent health with energy, enthusiasm and a positive outgoing attitude. No complainers please!
**Criminal record check required for all applicants**
You must be able to show some identity if requested by, for example, the police. You should carry your passport at all times as a form of identity, and leave details with family or friends.
You should follow local advice e.g. from your hotel before bathing in the sea as in many areas there are dangerous undercurrents and strong riptides.
The monsoon season extends from December to March in the north-east and June to October in the south-west. You should be aware of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
You cannot change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes. Most major banks will change US dollar travellers’ cheques as well as allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. There are cash machines (ATMs) in major cities but some do not accept international cards. Credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity.
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Prices & Dates |
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Apply Now |
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No fee is required to apply for a place on the program. Due to the high number of applications we receive each day we are only able to hold your reservation for 30 days. Once your application has been accepted we will require a non-refundable deposit of GBP£299 or approx USD$580 to secure your placement. The remaining balance will then be due 2 x months prior to the program start date. We will process your application immediately and contact you within 24 hours.
Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
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