Internships & Volunteer Travel

  Sri Lanka

Colombo Central

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: We are United Holidays your gateway to Sri Lanka and beyond. Set up in 1995 we have been an independent force in tourism in Sri Lanka representing top global brands. These include United Airlines, Air Canada, STA Travel & ISIC (International Student Identity Card).Apart from tourism & airline representation our parent company United Ventures is also involved in corporate training and management consultancy through Executive Coach.

Through our connection to STA Travel, the Worlds' largest student travel organization & ISIC the only internationally recognized student Identity card which is endorsed by UNESCO, we have developed a passion for Youth & Student Travel. We have tapped in to our years of destination management experience to create "Live it!" with a range of products & resources in Sri Lanka & beyond.

We have tied up with NGOs such as "Tharunyata Hetak"(a presidential initiative),corporate, private & government enterprises to create volunteer internships, work placement, Gap year Travel, School Trips & sports tours to provide a meaningful & enriching experience in Sri Lanka.

Volunteer Travel Programme

1-EDUCATION
A)-Teach English & other Foreign Languages in rural schools
Education enhances an individual's capacity to build awareness, self confidence & employability. Within our network, volunteers can teach effectively in a cross cultural environment and we provide resources to assist the educational process in which rural children are struggling to learn and low funded institutions struggling to teach them. This project placement involves volunteers being based at a selected rural school to teach English or other languages such as Chinese, French, German or Japanese. The volunteer teacher has to be a native speaker of the language.

A volunteer teacher preferably with prior experience would be able to share his or her experience with the students and other teachers. They should be able to expand the students' knowledge & train them on developing their communication skills. Our intention is to run a series of entry level courses for different groups ideally over a period of about 3 to 4 months. This project will offer an enriching experience to young and enthusiastic volunteers throughout the year.

Your Task : Teach English or any other language (Chinese, French, Japanese, German) to rural Sri Lankan students in an effective manner

Location : Western, Southern, Central & North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka

Activities involved:
*Teach English or other languages such as Chinese, Japanese, French, or German
* The volunteer teacher would need to follow a basic curriculum advised by a local lecturer
* plan and develop on the teaching methods
* Use audio visual aids
*Organize classroom activities amongst the students to improve their conversational skills
* Organize special events, Language Days and help the students to relate to foreign cultures and customs

Project Length : 3-4 months * The Project begins on the first Monday of each month, except April, August & December

Price Include : (Prices attached in Annex 1)
* Accommodation provided in home stays, rented apartments, motels or hostels on Single or shared basis * All Meals
* Meet & assist on arrival& departure at the Bandaranaike International Airport
* Transfer to project location upon arrival

Our Services Include :
* Mentor from United Holidays during your entire stay in Sri Lanka
* Special Orientation conducted by a local University Lecturer proficient in each respective language, providing guidance on effective teaching methods
* Monthly meetings & discussions with our staff
During these discussions we welcome your ideas in order to improve the quality of your stay in Sri Lanka, achieving your purpose of stay and other requirements (culture shock, food etc ;)
* ISIC card holders receive a 5% discount on a 03 Night/ 04 Day tour package staying in standard hotels

2. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
B)-Training IT in rural government schools
Despite the hardships faced by rural youth due to the lack of facilities in schools, computers are now an 'anybody's reality'. Although computers are available in some schools, there were no qualified teachers to provide students the necessary IT education. This is an ideal opportunity for young Volunteers to give much needed expertise in basic IT to the rural student population of Sri Lanka.

A volunteer would be able to share his or her IT Knowledge with students and teachers alike. The intention is to run a series of courses, to different groups. Ideally each volunteer would complete the project in about 4 to 6 months.

Your Task : Making students comfortable enough to use computers in their day to day life.

Location : Western, Southern, Central & North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka

Activities involved :
* This work is more suitable for you if you have sufficient IT knowledge, and are able to teach the fundamentals of computer applications, how to use the windows office package, Internet & E-mail & prepare presentations using computers etc:
Project Length : 4-6 months
* The Project begins on the first Monday of each month
Special arrangements can be made to conduct classes during April, August & December which are government holidays.
Price Include : (Prices attached in Annex 1)
* Accommodation provided in home stays, rented apartments, motels, hostels on single or shared basis * All Meals
* Meet & assist on arrival& departure at the Bandaranaike International Airport
* Transfer to project location upon arrival
Our Services Include :
* Mentor from United Holidays during your entire stay in Sri Lanka
* Orientation to be given by a renowned local IT specialist & United Holidays staff
* Monthly meetings & discussions with our staff
During these discussions we welcome your ideas to improve the quality of your stay in Sri Lanka, achieving your purpose of stay and other requirements (culture shock, food etc ;)
* ISIC card holders receive a 5% discount on a 03 Night/ 04 Day tour package staying in standard hotels

2. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
C)-Vocational Training & Youth Empowerment
Our aim is to offer vocational training and apprenticeships for rural youth through this project. You, as Youth Volunteers, can assist us by sharing your knowledge and skills with the rural youth and give them the necessary ability and confidence to pursue gainful employment.

Your Task : Become a Role Model & play an active role in helping Sri Lankan youth to obtain better skills development and career opportunities.

Location : Western, Southern, Central & North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka

Activities involved :
*Participate and share your knowledge in seminars and 3-5 day workshops held at provincial level, aimed at
providing career guidance, leadership development and support to local youth groups
* Making presentations on personality development, personal grooming, self motivation & confidence building
* Introducing new global trends / Intercultural relationships
* Training & Team Building activities

Project Length : 1-3 months Price Include : (Prices attached in Annex 1)
* Accommodation provided in home stays, rented apartments, motels, hostels on Single or shared basis All Meals
* Meet & assist on arrival& departure at the Bandaranaike International Airport
* Transfer to project location upon arrival

Our Services Include :
* Mentor from United Holidays during your entire stay in Sri Lanka
* Orientation, monthly meetings & discussions with our staff
* During these discussions we welcome your ideas to improve the quality of your stay in Sri Lanka, achieving your purpose of stay and other requirements (culture shock, food etc ;)
* ISIC card holders receive a 5% discount on a 03 Night/ 04 Day tour package staying in standard hotels

3-WILD LIFE & ENVIRONMENT
D)-Save the Elephants in Sri Lanka
At the turn of the century, over 10,000 elephants were found scattered all over Sri Lanka. These numbers rapidly depleted, due to big game hunting, development, and heavy deforestation. Threatened by loss of natural habitat and fragmentation, the conflict between man and elephant has increased. The remaining few thousands are confined to the National Wild Life Parks, while small herds are strewn around in the north-eastern and eastern areas.

The Sri Lankan or the Asian Elephant is distinguished from the African elephant by having much smaller ears.Only the males having large tusks, concave back and more hair than other cousins in Africa. The Sri Lankan elephant is protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of Sri Lanka (FFPO) and killing them is considered a serious offence at present.
This project offers you a chance to work in close proximity to the Wasgomuwa National Wild Life Park, home to a large number of Elephants. Most of the conservation projects are carried out by the Sri Lanka Wild Life Conservation Society (SLWCS).The society was established with the sole purpose of conserving the declining biodiversity of Sri Lanka. After researching on Human- Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka, the SLWCS initiated its' first project in 1997 as a community-based initiative, saving Elephants by Helping People (SEHP). The SLWCS began exploring ways to resolve the increasing threats associated with Human-Elephant conflict and its relationship to poverty.
Presently, their efforts include:
* Assessments (Sociological, Economic, and Ecological) of the diverse habitats of threatened species, landscapes, and communities
* Implementation of projects for the protection of biodiversity in priority areas
* Development of ecological awareness in Sri Lanka and internationally.

You will be based near the Wasgomuwa National Wild Life Park and offered opportunities such as getting involved in field research, conservation, community development and capacity building programmes.
In addition to the Elephant conservation project we are able to find placements for Reptile ,Butterfly and Mammal conservation projects which are conducted by experienced research teams.

Your Task :Play an active role in protecting the dwindling Asian Elephant population in Sri Lanka & finding means to minimize the Human  Elephant conflict

Location : Near Wasgomuwa National Park

Activities involved :
* Help create data bases
* Perform actual field research and compile reports
* Hands on experience, working with elephant conservation specialists

Project Length : 4-8 Weeks Price Include : (Prices attached in Annex 1)
* Accommodation provided in home stays, rented apartments, motels, hostels on Single or shared basis * All

Meals
* Meet & assist on arrival& departure at the Bandaranaike International Airport
* Transfer to project location upon arrival

Our Services Include :
* Mentor from United Holidays during your entire stay in Sri Lanka
* Orientation, monthly meetings & discussions with our staff
* During these discussions we welcome your ideas in order to improve the quality of your stay in Sri Lanka, achieving your purpose of stay and other requirements (culture shock, food etc ;)
* ISIC card holders receive a 5% discount on a 03 Night/ 04 Day tour package staying in standard hotels

3-WILD LIFE & ENVIRONMENT
E)-GO GREEN!!!
The importance of sustainable development, harmful effect caused by the Carbon Foot Print, probable solutions to curb global warming are significant topics well under discussion by youth all over the world. Today's youth traveller is conscious of the impact caused to the environment as a result of their existing habits and travel patterns.

On par with this global trend our youth movement is well geared towards protecting Sri Lankas' National Wild Life Parks, virgin rain forests and endemic species. GO GREEN is a programme initiated to ensure that the youth of Sri Lanka work towards building a nature-friendly Sri Lanka. Through GO GREEN different areas of the country have been identified and tree planting campaigns are being launched in Temples, Churches and other community-based locations. The exercises are 2 to 5 day workshops at each location.

Your Task : Help make a difference by spreading your passion towards protecting trees throughout Sri Lanka during your stay & transferring your knowledge for the benefit of the local communities.

Location : Western, Southern, Central & North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka

Activities involved :
* Conducting Tree planting campaigns (minimum of 200 trees), educating the local communities by way of in depth
studies on the impact of global warming in the Sri Lankan context & knowledge sharing with the local youth and co-workers.
* Volunteers can lead small Environment study teams and identify various environmental hazards in local areas, and may also organize awareness campaigns to save the environment from the consequences of global warming.
*Volunteers can also host seminars and conduct door-to-door campaigns, targeting the general public in a selected area.

Project Length : 1-3 months

Price Include : (Prices attached in Annex 1)
* Accommodation provided in home stays, rented apartments, motels, hostels on Single or shared basis * All Meals
* Meet & assist on arrival& departure at the Bandaranaike International Airport
* Transfer to project location upon arrival
Our Services Include :
* Mentor from United Holidays during your entire stay in Sri Lanka
* Orientation, monthly meetings & discussions with the United Holidays staff
* During these discussions we welcome your ideas to improve the quality of your stay in Sri Lanka, achieving your purpose of stay and other requirements (culture shock, food etc;)
* ISIC card holders receive a 5% discount on a 03 Night/ 04 Day tour package staying in standard hotels

4-FUND RAISING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
F)-Fund Raising and Community Building
Fund raisers are universal and there are diverse ways of doing so. We need your creativity to help us raise funds for community service projects. In a third world country like Sri Lanka the need for funds is huge and the fund raising is complex, so we need your ingenuity and passion to make this a successful venture.

Your Task : Come up with practical fund raising ideas & setting achievable goals

Location : Western, Southern, Central & North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka

Activities involved :
* Discussing the necessary development requirements of a particular area with our research staff.
* Organizing fund raising projects for 01 or many of the following:
* Purchasing school equipment for rural schools
* Purchasing essential medical equipment or beds for rural hospitals
* Restoring or preserving an ancient monument in a selected local area
* Encouraging local entrepreneurship by providing industry equipment
* Providing bicycles for rural families
* Help build a tube well for a needy area
* Assisting potential donors by providing ground information and conceptualizing campaigns for fund raising

Project Length : 1-3 months

Price Include : (Prices attached in Annex 1)
* Accommodation provided in home stays, rented apartments, motels, hostels on Single or shared basis * All
Meals
* Meet & assist on arrival& departure at the Bandaranaike International Airport
* Transfer to project location upon arrival

Our Services include :
* Mentor from United Holidays during your entire stay in Sri Lanka
* Orientation, monthly meetings & discussions with the United Holidays staff
* During these discussions we welcome your ideas to improve the quality of your stay in Sri Lanka, achieving your purpose of stay and other requirements (culture shock, food etc ;)
* Assistance & guidance in all the feasible fund raising plans which the volunteers come up with
* Acquiring necessary approval from government authorities when necessary
* Help find man power when required
* ISIC card holders receive a 5% discount on a 03 Night/ 04 Day tour package staying in standard hotels

5-HEALTH
G)-Counseling at government hospitals in Sri Lanka
Your passion and enthusiasm can make a huge difference to the terminally ill patients in the wide spread government hospitals in Sri Lanka. These patients yearn for some companionship & camaraderie to add some interest to their days in the hospital. Your time spent in talking, counseling, motivating and assisting in the government led medical institutions will have a positive impact on the life of the patients.

Your Task : Help bring a smile to lonely patients in government hospitals and help expedite their recovery.

Location : Western, Southern, Central & North Central Provinces of Sri Lanka

Activities involved :
* Daily visits to the selected hospitals
* Identifying patients who are lonely, critical & in need of help
* Paying close attention to those patients and counseling them when ever possible
* Building a very close and amicable rapport with these patients and the medical staff
* Come up with activities/greetings/music or gestures that will enliven these patients
* Identifying the means to improve the overall condition of the selected hospital wards
* Help and contribute at your own level to create a pleasant atmosphere for patients

Project Length : 1-2 months

Price Include : (Prices attached in Annex 1)
* Accommodation provided in home stays, rented apartments, motels, hostels on Single or shared basis * All Meals
* Meet & assist on arrival& departure at the Bandaranaike International Airport
* Transfer to project location upon arrival

Our Services include :
* Mentor from United Holidays during your entire stay in Sri Lanka
* Orientation, monthly meetings & discussions with the United Holidays staff
* During these discussions we welcome your ideas to improve the quality of your stay in Sri Lanka, achieving your purpose of stay and other requirements (culture shock, food etc ;)
* acquiring necessary approval from government authorities when necessary
* ISIC card holders receive a 5% discount on a 03 Night/ 04 Day tour package staying in standard hotels

Cost in US$: pls. inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants.

Year Founded: 1995