Volunteering with elephant conservation in Sri Lanka is a special chance to become involved in local grassroots projects benefiting elephant protection and conservation efforts! Global Crossroad is currently partnering with a local organization in Sri Lanka carrying out a volunteering overseas in elephant conservation in Sri Lanka project. The main mission of the volunteer with elephant conservation program in Sri Lanka is to provide daily care for elephants and not just for their own herd, but also for elephants throughout the country of Sri Lanka. Each volunteer will be assigned an elephant and work as an assistant to a mahout (elephant handler). You will have the unique opportunity to feed, bath, and groom your elephant, as well as provide medical treatment if necessary. As you work with your elephant, you will be able to create a friendship and truly get to know its personality. The volunteer abroad with elephant conservation in Sri Lanka project needs the help of dedicated volunteers to recognize oncoming symptoms of illness, provide basic care, promote mental stimulation and to create special relationships.
Get Free Info Now While completing your volunteering work with elephant conservation in Sri Lanka, you will also be able to understand and experience Sri Lankan culture. In your free time, you will be able to truly appreciate Sri Lanka's natural beauty and your surroundings. When you join this volunteer with elephant conservation opportunity in Sri Lanka, you will stay in either a volunteer bungalow or a volunteer jungle house on the project's property. Both the bungalows and jungle cabins are surrounded by palm trees and have views of paddy fields. You will be provided with mosquito nets, clean linens and towels. The bungalow can house eleven volunteers. Most bedrooms are shared and have en-suite bathrooms with outdoor showers. Volunteers share communal spaces such as a basic kitchen area, lounge area and library. There is a washing machine and basic kitchen supplies for volunteer use. There are five jungle cabins that can house three people each with one bunk bed and a single bed.
Each cabin has a toilet and shower attached and volunteers can use the facilities in the bungalow. Please note that Sri Lanka experiences power and water shortages, but that's all just part of the experience. When you join this volunteer with elephant conservation opportunity in Sri Lanka, you will mainly work in the elephant conservation project. However, volunteers might be expected to work in other projects such as eco-farm, teaching English, mobile veterinary unit ect. Elephant Project—The daily maintenance and treatment of your assigned elephant, as well as assisting with the project's administrative tasks, fundraising, researching resources and general maintenance necessary to assist the project's many projects benefiting elephants and the lives of local people. Eco-farm—Volunteers will work in the eco-farm every day to help gardeners grow fresh and healthy fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs. These products are used as a part of the enrichment program and are used as treats for the elephants as well as food for the onsite restaurant.
Many of the ingredients used in volunteer meals will be consist of produce grown by the volunteers themselves. This is a great opportunity to learn about traditional farming methods and non-chemical fertilizers. Volunteers also have the opportunity to learn about fruits and vegetables native to Sri Lanka. In the future, the project hopes to provide poor farmers with elephant-dung fertilizer, which is a great way for farmers to non-chemically protect their crops and conserve the environment. Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU)—Volunteers are invited to help local veterinarians visit sick elephants and supervise religious parades. The MVU uses a vehicle to transport vets and medicine to elephants in need of care; the MVU may even travel hundreds of miles a day. The MVU efficiently treats elephants without having to set up multiple clinics through Sri Lanka and is capable of treating multiple animals at the same time. Veterinary care can be very expensive and elephant ownership can create a financial burden.
For this reason, the MVU care is free so that more elephant owners will seek out medical assistance for their elephants before it is too late. This is a great way for volunteers to meet elephant owners and travel the country. English Teaching to Children—The project has organized local after school clubs to teach Sri Lankan children English. Strong English skills instantly open doors for Sri Lankan students, promising them a more prosperous future and greater job opportunities. Each after school club lesson is on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for one hour and our volunteers run the lessons. Teachers do not need prior experience, just creativity and a positive attitude. Ages vary widely in the lessons, anywhere from young toddlers to late twenties. The project tries to make every lesson interactive and fun by incorporating interactive activities such as songs and games. In the future, they hope to open a learning center with computers, educational resources and a classroom-like environment.
All four projects will be challenging, but very rewarding. You will have at least two days off a week to explore all Sri Lanka has to offer. You will be able to learn from locals and surround yourself in Sri Lanka's beauty, both in its people and its nature. Skills and Qualifications Needed No specific qualifications are required in order to volunteer abroad with elephant conservation in Sri Lanka besides a love for animals, a hardworking mentality, and a kind disposition. Your understanding of Sri Lankan culture and language will enhance your experience and improve your interactions with the local staff and Mahouts. Consider enrolling in our one-week language and cultural immersion program. Dates: Volunteer in Sri Lanka All Volunteer programs in Sri Lanka start every Monday. However, Global Crossroad is very flexible and understands that various travel constraints that you might face. All Volunteering work in Sri Lanka options are available year around, except at times programs like a Volunteer teaching English overseas program might be closed for various holidays and vacations.
Also, some programs are seasonal due to extreme weather conditions. Between the project link and a Global Crossroad representative, all of this specific information regarding programs dates will be available to you. If a program is unavailable, we will provide an alternative program for you to join. Prices: Volunteer in Sri Lanka Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and highest quality Sri Lanka Volunteer trips. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion. Global Crossroad's Volunteer opportunity in Sri Lanka application and registration fee cost US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office). In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to your host family and project. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.