• What immunizations do I need before volunteering in Sri Lanka?

As we are not medical professionals, we are unable to offer professional medical advice. We do recommend following the recommendations of your family doctor.

 

• When do projects start, and when do I need to arrive?

Our project start dates are normally the first and third Monday of each month. These dates sometimes change due to holidays. We require volunteers to arrive in between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. seven days prior to their project start date.

 

• Who will be picking me up from the airport?

Our volunteer coordinators pick up volunteers from their arrival point. On Wednesday (arrival days), the coordinators  hold a sign with the arriving volunteer’s name on it.

 

• Can I extend or change my project once I’m already participating in the project?

We can sometimes make arrangements for volunteers to extend their projects, but this is based on availability. It is best if we have a clear picture of a volunteer’s project(s) as early as possible. We only change projects for volunteers and interns when it’s absolutely necessary. When possible, we feel that it is best for volunteers to fulfil their commitment to their project before changing to another.

 

• Is Swarnabhoomi Volunteers an NGO?

The term “NGO” is ambiguous at best. Swarnabhoomi Volunteers is not connected to or affiliated with any government or religion. We have no political ties and are completely independent. We have held legal registration as a Social Service  Organization in Sri Lanka.

 

• Why does it cost money to volunteer, and where does my project fee go?

As Swarnabhoomi Volunteers is not financially supported by any government, religion or large corporation, we require volunteers to submit a project fee to help financially support our organization. A portion of the project fee goes to host family, host organisation, paying for vehicles, accommodation, utilities, etc. This project fee includes various services and benefits that differ from project to project. Some of the basics included in the fee are accommodation, airport pick-up,one -day orientation, meals, 24-hour emergency assistance, program coordination and documentation of project participation.

 

• What type of police check to I need to submit to participate in projects where I’ll be around children?

The type of background check will depend upon where you are coming from. We accept background checks issued by the volunteer’s national government as well as those conducted by local police stations.

 

• What is the average volunteer age?

Our average volunteers are in their mid-twenties; however, we do have volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life participating in our projects.

 

• Can I stay in my own accommodation? If so, is there a discount on the project fee if I do not stay in Swarnabhoomi Volunteers provided accommodation ?

Yes, we do allow volunteers to stay in their own selected accommodation during their project, if they wish. More than 90% of our volunteers and interns stay in the accommodation that we provide for them. We are unable to offer any discount on the project fee for volunteers staying in their own selected accommodation.

 

• How much money will I need to have when volunteering in Sri Lanka?

This will greatly depend upon the meals you choose to eat, the shopping you do and the souvenirs you buy. Living frugally, a person could reasonably get by in Sri Lanka on less than US$10 per day. Western food, beer and other alcoholic drinks will increase your daily spending dramatically.

 

• How can I get my clothes washed when I’m participating in Swarnabhoomi Volunteer’s and intern projects?

There are laundry services that wash, dry and iron clothes at relatively cheap rates.

 

• Do I have to speak Sinhalese to volunteer or intern?

No, volunteers and interns do not need to speak Sinhalese to participate in our projects. We do have two short Sinhalese lessons during orientation, and we suggest volunteers and interns try to learn and use as much Sinhalese as they can during their project.

 

• Should I bring my computer?

This depends on how much time you plan to use it during your project. All of our volunteer accommodation sites have free wireless Internet for volunteers and interns to use. We also have two new desktop computers in each of our volunteer accommodation spots (4 totals) for volunteers and interns to use. There are also very inexpensive internet cafes near our volunteer and intern accommodation spots. If you plan to keep up with friends and regularly update your social networks, then yes, you may want to bring a laptop or tablet with you. If you plan to e-mail friends and family at home once or twice a week, we recommend leaving the computer at home and just using our own volunteer and intern computers at the accommodation spots, along with Internet cafés to keep in touch.

 

• Should I bring my cell phone?

Sri Lanka mobile phones and service are relatively inexpensive. One can purchase a cheap cell phone for around $20, and buy prepaid calling cards at almost any corner store. We recommend buying an inexpensive cell phone upon arrival. This prevents you from being subjected to heavy international roaming charges.

 

• Can I start my project outside of the regularly scheduled project start dates?

No, we require volunteers and interns to start only on these dates. We provide a mandatory three-day orientation prior to each start date and are unable to provide this for just one or two people.

 

• Will I have free time to travel and see Sri Lanka?

Yes, our volunteer projects run from Monday to Friday, leaving you the weekends to explore Colombo,Kandy,Galle, Hikkaduwa or set out on regional excursions. Trekking, zip-lining, rafting and many other outdoor activities are easily booked through local travel agencies.

 

• Are there ATMs in Sri Lanka that I’ll be able to use?

Yes, ATMs are widespread. In Sri Lanka, most ATMs are on the Cirrus and Plus networks, which covers nearly all internationally recognized debit and ATM cards.