Contribute to the development of a sustainable farming project

 

Boys' Town has been planned and equipped to cater to the various aspirations, talents and capabilities of different types of boys who are in need of help to find the way of life. The trainees are all resident thereby making Boys' Town and its precincts a small city, where lads of all communities are trained to live in harmony and peace together. 

 

Boys' Town conducts a four year residential training program in :

 

Agriculture & Farming:Pig rearing, poultry, dairy farming, rabbit farming, rice cultivation, rubber tapping & processing, coconut cultivation, vegetable cultivation & cash crop production. The farm has poultry, piggery, dairy, apiary and aquarium facilities as well as a mini zoo for educational purposes. Vegetable and spice gardens supplement major plantations of rice paddy, rubber and coconut..

 

The Boys´ Town is now a three-campus complex. After the first year of basic formation at the main center in Ragama, students spend six months at SLTI´s upcountry Agricultural Training Centre at Nuwara Eliya, Central Province. From the wet upcountry location of the Nuwara Eliya center, students move to SLTI´s dry zone branch St. Anthony´s Farm Agricultural Training Centre, famous for its buffalo herds at Puliyankulama, Pallama, North Western Province. Once a trainee completes his year of basic education he has a general idea as to what he wants to do in life and in which field he wants to get himself specialized. During the ensuing three years he specializes in the field he select and those who are not capable of following either field’s avenues are available in trades. A unique feature in the Boys' Town training program is all-round training a boy gets during his four years stay in the institution. Apart from his specializing field each boy gets to know how to cook, to sew, to care for animals and cultivate land. School dropouts, orphans, the handicapped, boys from broken families and even boys as old as 18 who are convicted of minor offences are among those eligible for admission on recommendation by their parish priest. While religion is no barrier for admission, SLTI maintains a 90 percent intake of Catholics, who start and close each day with prayers in chapel.

 

 

Location : Nuwara Eliya

Start dates: Every week on a Monday (flexible)

Duration : 2 - 12 weeks (can be extended)

Availability : Spaces available

 

How will I make a difference?

 

By volunteering at the orphanage and contributing your time to the community farming project on site you will be able to support the projects ongoing aims of sustainability, nutrition and vocational education. Volunteering on the Community Farming role gives you the opportunity to be practical and hands on, working alongside older volunteers and living on site, becoming part of daily life at the orphanage.Despite improvements, Sri Lanka is developing country in South Asia . For these children both agriculture and English language skills will be a valuable skill in securing their future.

 

 

Work on the farm varies depending on the time of year and if there is a specific ongoing project but activities could include:

 

• Harvesting or planting crops

• Digging

• Weeding

• Composting

• Clearing areas of grass

• Maintaining enclosures / fences

• Basic building work / DIY

 

The older children at the orphanage help on the farm, tending the poultry and crops and learning environmentally friendly organic farming practices. Volunteers also work under the instruction of the farm manager who oversees the initiative.The orphanage farm includes a kitchen garden, vegetable plots and a fruit orchard. Central to the farm is a large fish pond, used for irrigation and for the natural rearing of tilapia and catfish. Free-range egg-laying chickens and ducks provide a valuable protein source, as well as livestock to be sold at the market.Due to the climate, farm work is generally focused in the cooler parts of the day and so volunteers work in the morning and again in the early evening. When it is too hot to be working on the farm, volunteers are able to have free time or spend time interacting with the children at the orphanage;

 

• playing sports,

• reading a book,

• organising crafts activities,

• music or other games.

 

Location and free time :

Volunteers work five days per week, this does not have to be Monday-Friday.The village is off the beaten track so tourists are not a common sight. Volunteers enjoy exploring the village and local market and coffee shops. You can visit the coastal towns and rural villages , if you prefer tropical wildlife then visit Udawalawe National Park and  Pinnawala Elephant Orphange.

 

Accommodation:

You will be accommodate in Host Family or in Hostel of the premises or elsewhere close to the project, within walking distance or use a foot cycle ( will be provided ),Three times meals will available in Host Family as well as in the Hostel, tea and snack is provided in sometime. Your will have to share a room with other volunteers or you will have your own room according the availability. Basic bathroom facilities in good condition, pipe borne water or well water, in some areas you will be advised to drink bottled mineral water for your safety, most part of Sri Lanka well water is very good for drinking as well as the pipe water, Electricity, Internet are widely available in Sri Lanka,

 

Hospital, Banks (ATM), Hotels, Restaurant are available in every corner of Sri Lanka, western Union money transfer facility is in each and every bank in Island wide.Big shopping malls with western type food items, good condition of road for you to travel, most of people can communicate in English, you can visit surrounding touristic places when you have a free time to visit.

 

Please avoid travelling in the dark or in the night, always use public transport, it is cheap and safe, do not travel with un known person or vehicle, if you travel by Trishaw(tuk tuk)Get onto metered Taxi, Please take of yourself, please always get our assistance and advice before you do need to travel anywhere in Sri Lanka, if you feel or suspicious of anything , please call us immediately , we will take necessary action within seconds, as your safety is our priority.

 

Physical Fitness :

 

• Good Mentality

• Ability to work under pressure

• Ability to work with Children with good patience

• Be a Sportive character

• Creative

• Innovative

• Fun Loving

• Open minded

• Adventurous

 

Requirements: 

 

• 18 + years of age•

• Native English Speakers/Near Native English Speakers

• Create fun and informative language sessions•

• Keep your room tidy and clean•

• Respect the host Organisation rules•

• Manage your own personal expenses •

• Good health•

• Being open-minded, adaptable and flexible •

• Respecting the local culture, religion and customs•

• Completion of high school/secondary school is required•

• You must hold a full police check from your home country

 

Program Fee includes:

 

• All entrance ticket to the tourist hot spots

• Airport pick up 

• Accommodation during orientation and entire project time •

• Breakfast every morning 

• Lunch & Dinner every work day 

• One day Orientation 

• Onsite Coordinator 

• 24 hour emergency assistance 

• Written record of service completion (for volunteers that successfully complete their project).

 

Program Fee does not include:

 

• International Air fare·

• Visa Cost·

• Transport from Project to Project·

• Visa Extension Cost·

• Travel Insurance·

• Medical/Accident Insurance· ·

• Anything not mention in the program fee.