Support the Sea Turtle Ecosystem

location
1 - 16 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Volunteer to make a difference & support the sea turtle ecosystem in a positive manner
  • Play an active role in beach cleaning and promote responsible tourism
  • Experience the thrill of wildlife adventure at any of the several national reserves, including, Sinharaja forest reserve, Bundala National park, Minneriya National park, and more

Highlights

  • Volunteer to make a difference & support the sea turtle ecosystem in a positive manner
  • Play an active role in beach cleaning and promote responsible tourism
  • Experience the thrill of wildlife adventure at any of the several national reserves, including, Sinharaja forest reserve, Bundala National park, Minneriya National park, and more
  • Gain first-hand work experience and bond with people from different parts of the world
  • Stay in a volunteer house and meet other participants from around the world


  • Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    The main focus of this project is to protect the turtle eggs as well as the baby turtles, and subsequently increase their population.

    If you have always wanted to play an active role in conservation programs, then now is your chance to be a volunteer and contribute meaningfully towards the wellbeing of the Sea Turtles thriving in the south-western coasts of Sri Lanka. In the recent past, excessive commercial fishing and poaching ...

    About the program

    If you have always wanted to play an active role in conservation programs, then now is your chance to be a volunteer and contribute meaningfully towards the wellbeing of the Sea Turtles thriving in the south-western coasts of Sri Lanka. In the recent past, excessive commercial fishing and poaching of turtle eggs by humans and predators (dogs, monitor lizards, etc.) have resulted in their numbers dwindling significantly and thus, these turtles are considered to be an endangered species. 

    The main focus of this project is to protect the turtle eggs as well as the baby turtles, and subsequently increase their population. This includes preserving the eggs from predators and poachers, providing a safe haven for hatchings to occur, caring for the baby, sick and injured turtles, feeding them daily and releasing the healthy ones into the ocean when ready.

    Being a volunteer, you'll support the hatcheries through conservation efforts which are valuable for their sustainability, and also goes a long way in helping them financially as we pay these hatcheries a placement fee for each volunteer we send to them, which allows them to generate additional income. You'll also get to teach the local communities about the prospects of nature conservation and how to keep the environment healthy.


    Typical day

    Saturday: Arrival +House Tour + Initial Training session  (as long as the participants come by afternoon or else its done on Sunday).
    Sunday: Neighbourhood familiarization tour 
    Mon to Fri: Volunteer work
    Breakfast - 06:30 am - 8:30am 
    Thursday and Friday  9-12 pm Beach Cleaning or Community ...

    Typical day

    Saturday: Arrival +House Tour + Initial Training session  (as long as the participants come by afternoon or else its done on Sunday).
    Sunday: Neighbourhood familiarization tour 
    Mon to Fri: Volunteer work
    Breakfast - 06:30 am - 8:30am 
    Thursday and Friday  9-12 pm Beach Cleaning or Community programs
    Lunch -  between 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
    Monday to Wednesday 1-4 pm: Turtle Hatchery
    Dinner - 06:30 pm -7:45 pm

    Note: The schedule may vary depending on the particular project and local circumstances.

    Free-time activities

    The following are popular weekend (or even daily) activities which our volunteers love to do around the area (at an additional charge):

    • Surfing lessons
    • Elephant safari
    • Whale watching (during the season)
    • Rainforest hiking
    • Beach hopping
    • Local cooking class
    • Galle Walking Tour
    • Local spice market visit
    • Galle Fort ...

    Free-time activities

    The following are popular weekend (or even daily) activities which our volunteers love to do around the area (at an additional charge):

    • Surfing lessons
    • Elephant safari
    • Whale watching (during the season)
    • Rainforest hiking
    • Beach hopping
    • Local cooking class
    • Galle Walking Tour
    • Local spice market visit
    • Galle Fort visit

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    CV

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Volunteering Solutions

    • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
    • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
    • ​Dedicated volunteer housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
    • Orientation and training on arrival
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner all days
    • Guaranteed project placement
    • Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk tuk
    • Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
    • Dedicated staff support from 6 am to 8 pm every day
    • 24/7 local emergency support
    • Weekly yoga class on rooftop terrace
    • Weekly movie nights on large screen projector
    • Monthly bike tour around paddy fields and local villages
    • Monthly special BBQ dinner
    • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
    • Private Room Upgrades (Available at an extra cost)
    • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

    Accommodation

    Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighborhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The volunteer house has 11 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

    The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighborhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.

    Other than that, we'll also be glad to provide single/double/family private room upgrades. The beach is just about 5 minutes walk from the stay and you can reach the Galle Fort in about 15 minutes.

    Volunteers who request a private room will be accommodated either at a hotel near the volunteer house or within the volunteer house depending on availability.

    Food & Beverages

    We provide 3 freshly cooked meals per day all week long (Monday to Sunday): Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Fresh ingredients are purchased from local markets to prepare these meals. We have two lady chefs (a head chef and an assistant) from our community who come daily to cook fresh, homely and tasty local meals for the volunteers.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Bandaranaike International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo. We assist you to find cheap flights to Sri Lanka. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Sri Lanka provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Sri Lanka you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Sri Lanka. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Participants can arrive on any Saturday. Pickup and transfer from Colombo Airport can be arranged at extra charges.
    The arrival dates are as follows :-

    2023 
    • Sept - 02,09,16,23
    • Oct  - 07,14,21,28
    • Nov - 04,11,18,25
    • Dec - 01,09,16,23

    2024
    • Jan - 06,13,20,27
    • Feb -  03,10,17,24
    • March - 02,09,16,23,30
    • Apr - 06,13,20,27
    • May - 04,11,18,25
    • June - 01,08,15,22,29
    • July - 06,13,20,27
    • Aug - 03,10,17,24,31
    • Sept - 07,14,21,28
    • Oct - 05,12,19,26
    • Nov - 02,09,16,23,30
    • Dec- 07,14,21,28

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 932€
    2 weeks 1,033€
    3 weeks 1,184€
    4 weeks 1,335€
    5 weeks 1,486€
    6 weeks 1,638€
    7 weeks 1,789€
    8 weeks 1,940€
    16 weeks (max. stay) 3,457€
    Average fees 574€/week

    Program fees

    574€ per week 1 - 16 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 16 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Volunteering Solutions during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Volunteering Solutions

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (44 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2007

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Good response rate

    Coordinated by

    Sahil

    About the project

    Providing placements to overseas travelers under several different volunteer projects in 25 different destinations across Asia, Africa, South America and Europe.

    Meet your organization

    Who we are?

    Volunteering Solutions was established in 2006 with the aim of changing the face of volunteer traveling, and in the last 10 years, we have had more than 15,000 volunteers who completed their journeys with life changing experiences. Nicknamed as VolSol, we provide the best volunteer and intern opportunities to interested candidates from different parts of the world, and we ensure that each of them gets the maximum out of the program they choose.

    As an organization, we have a cross-cultural set up in all our offices across the world. We have people from different countries, cultures and ethnicities working for us in order to make the process of volunteer traveling smoother and more flexible.

    We have dedicated coordinators at each volunteer destination, coming from different countries.We take care of the volunteer’s placement, traveling, accommodation, meals and security. 

    What we do?

    Currently, Volunteering Solutions operates in more than 25 countries, providing more than 100 volunteering and interning options ranging from Child Care, Teaching, Medical and Healthcare, Community Development, Marine Conservation and much more. Most of our volunteers are high school students, couples, corporate groups and individuals on their summer break or gap year.

    We are in collaboration with NGOs, schools, hospitals, orphanages, HIV/AIDS clinics, women groups and other social welfare organizations all across the globe. Each of these organizations have been working at the grassroot level for years, and successfully contributed towards the development of the concerned people. VolSol has ensured that the contribution of every volunteer is counted, and there’s sustainable growth.

    Our mission/vision

    Our mission is to offer the most comprehensive volunteer abroad experience to travelers from all walks of life, with a vision to promote ethical and sustainable travelling. We aim to make a difference in the lives of the unprivileged people in different parts of the world and to bridge the gap between the volunteers and the host communities to establish a 'Win-Win' situation for both.

    Who are we looking for?

    Travelers who are flexible in their approach, dedicated to provide their time and effort, and determined to make a difference in the society. Our volunteers come from all walks of life; be it a high school student or a retired professor. Any and everyone can join our projects, as long as they have the determination to be the part of volunteering brigade. The minimum age requirement to join our programs is 17 years, while, there's no maximum age limit. One need not have any particular degree or qualification to join our programs, and all we look for is the dedication and flexibility in the volunteer. 

    Please Note: For our medical programs, volunteers need to be pre-med/medical/or certified doctors.

    Why choose us?

    Not only our placements are the safest, but also are one of the most affordable all over the world. Our credibility reflects from not only as a registered member of WYSE Travel Confederation, but also from the 11k+ satisfied volunteers whom we have placed in the last over a decade of our operations. 

    For the internship programs, participants opting for Medical and Healthcare projects get to work with professionals and learn how to deal in emergency situations. Our internship programs are crafted and designed in a way that every participant gets to know about the medical scenario of the particular country. It is both an inward and outward journey - inward, as you’ll get to learn a lot through first hand experience, and outward, as the society will be benefitted by your contribution.

    44 reviews · rating4.5

    Lea Haller rating4.8

    2023 at Support the Sea Turtle Ecosystem

    It was different then excepted, but amazing. I loved the turtles and already miss them soo much. Even tho the turtles were amazing, they were not the best part of my trip. The people in the Aasha House made it so Spezial and every single day to an amazing day which I will never forget. It was the ...
    I had an excellent time in Sri Lanka. The turtle project was amazing and the staff made us feel welcome. The house is great and the location is excellent. I am already looking to do more programs later in summer! The booking process was simple and fast, I had good support from Sahil and the team at ...
    I had the most amazing experience in Sri Lanka! Thanks to Tatiane and the team for wonderful support and trip. Highly recommend Volunteering Solutions! The airport pickup was a bit delayed due to local conditions, but I was in constant contact with the coordinator and Tati on WhatsApp. The house ...
    Valeria Carcaiso rating4.8

    2024 at Teach English to Young Monks

    I stayed in Chiang Mai, Thailand, for two weeks. I really wish I could stay there more, because I had a wonderful experience and a longer program would have made it even greater. I supported a Thai teacher at Chetupon Suksa School, helping novice Buddhist monks to learn English. The kids were ...
    Jana Bosschaerts rating4

    2024 at Inca Trail Adventure & Children Support

    We vonden het een mooie en interessante ervaring om kennis te maken met de werking van het kleuterschooltje. Het gastgezin was fantastisch. Carla en Eli hebben ons in alles geholpen. Ook de verdere familie stond altijd klaar voor ons. We vonden het jammer dat we uiteindelijk niet zo veel dagen naar ...
    Uzma Ijaz rating3

    2023 at Medical & Healthcare Assistant

    Cusco is a beautiful city and I felt so thankful being able to be there. After work I had plenty of free time to explore the city and do excursions during the weekends. Note: only partake in this program if you are fluent in Spanish! No one at the clinic spoke any English nor did my host family. I ...

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