Sri Lanka Volunteer and Elective Programs
“A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
— Lao Tzu —
Sri Lanka: the country and our partners
Sri Lanka, ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’
Sri Lanka offers a continent's worth of experiences on an island that can be traversed by car north to south in 9 hours, east to west in 4 and 45 minutes by plane. This enchanting land seamlessly blends breathtaking natural beauty, a mosaic of cultures, and a hospitable embrace extended to both volunteers and tourists. Many say that it is India without the conspicuous poverty and hassles.
Sri Lanka is a stable parliamentary democracy, and is committed to social welfare, providing free universal healthcare, and education from age 5 to university level. These initiatives have resulted in impressive literacy rates, and inclusivity within the island's communities, as shown through the employment rates of the government departments.
Beyond its social achievements, Sri Lanka is renowned for its religious and other festivals, love of music, as well as puppeteering and dance. Volunteers can immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of local life, learning handicrafts such as wood carving, and pottery. Cooking on wood fires in clay pots is still common, which are experiences shared at our HQ there, offering a genuine taste of Sri Lankan culture.
Sri Lanka's breathtaking landscapes encompass lush rainforests, unspoiled beaches, lush green mountains and cloud forests. The island is a sanctuary for wildlife, with elephants and leopards gracing its national parks and roaming freely. Thanks to its diverse climatic zones, Sri Lanka remains an ideal year-round destination, whether your quest is for adventure, making a difference, or pure relaxation.
A friendly welcome awaits all who join us here where tradition and modernity blend to create an incomparable and unforgettable experience
Explore the information for Volunteers on this Sri Lanka Page
| Category | Page |
Info |
|---|---|---|
| Country | This Page (Sri Lanka) | Country Info |
| ײ | ײ | Our Project Partners |
| ײ | ײ | Our projects in Sri Lanka |
| ײ | ײ | Volunteer Pricing |
| ײ | ײ | Health Placement Pricing |
| ײ | ײ | Details: visa│vaccinations│ food│accommodation |
Sri Lanka: our partners
Give A Fig Volunteering offered its first volunteering, and medical opportunities in Sri Lanka, where it has its own dedicated accommodation for volunteers, the Fig and Gecko Hostel. Their commitment to making a positive impact in the region is evident through their extensive network of partnerships, collaborating with NGOs, and having signed agreements with the Department of Education, two prominent universities and a teaching hospital, the local government secretariat for NGOs, villages, and businesses.
These strategic partnerships enable Give A Fig Volunteering to offer a range of meaningful projects in Sri Lanka. Volunteers are placed in various settings, including NGOs, schools, and colleges, ensuring that their efforts directly address needs that are locally initiated.
One of the standout features of Give A Fig Volunteering is their dedication to ensuring the well-being of their volunteers. They provide essential support and guidance to ensure that volunteers obtain the correct visas, as it is illegal to volunteer in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa. This commitment to legal compliance and local partnership ensures a safe, fulfilling, meaningful, successful, and impactful volunteer experience for all involved.
Our projects in Sri Lanka
| Category | Page | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Dental | Electives | xxx |
| Medical | ײ | xxx |
| Nursing | ײ | xxx |
| Psychiatry | ײ | xxx |
| Dental | Lectureship | xxx |
| Medical | ײ | xxx |
| Psychiatry | ײ | xxx |
| Dental | Licenced | xxx |
| Medical | ײ | xxx |
| Psychiatry | ײ | xxx |
| Dental | pre-Dental | xxx |
| Medical | pre-Medical | xxx |
| Dental | Rotations | xxx |
| Medical | ײ | xxx |
| Volunteer | Community | xxx |
| ײ | Group | Group Volunteering |
| ײ | Wildlife | Turtles Nesting Beaches and Rescue |
| Teach | English | xxx |
| ײ | le francais | xxx |
| ײ | Deutsch | xxx |
| Soc Science | NGO Internship | xxx |
| Gap Year | Gap Year | Gap Year |
Sri Lanka Volunteering Pricing
Volunteering Pricing (US $)
| # of Weeks | Price | Price / Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 639 | 319 |
| 4 | 879 | 219 |
| 6 | 1,299 | 219 |
| 8 | 1,729 | 219 |
| 12 | 2,579 | 214 |
Sri Lanka Medical Placement Pricing
Medical│Dental│Nursing Program Pricing (US $)
(up to 12 weeks)
| # of Weeks Progs |
2 | 4 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| pre-Med pre-Nursing pre-Dental | 859 | 1,319 | 1,979 |
| Dental│ Medical Electives | 919 | 1,439 | 2139 |
| Overseas Licenced Practitioner Observership | 919 | 1,439 | 2,139 |
| Sri Lanka Licenced Practitioner Practice (licence + Mgt) | 499 | 499 | 649 |
| Sri Lanka Licenced Practitioner Practice (Licence + Mgt +half board) | 919 | 1,439 | 2,139 |
Sri Lanka: details for your placement
Visas: for volunteering and placements in Sri Lanka can only be arranged by Give A Fig Volunteering. It is illegal to volunteer in Sri Lanka on tourist visas.
One type of visa we use for volunteers and Gap Yearers needs to be applied for up to 6 weeks in advance, and your passport will need to be sent to the Sri Lankan Embassy│High Commission in the country in which you will be in the 4 weeks before joining us.
The other type of visa we use is an e-visa.
The types of visa necessary are issued for 30 days, and can be extended for up to 12 months, depending on the initial visa.
Electives: Those wishing to join us for Medical│Dental│Nursing electives must provide evidence of enrolment on the relevant courses.
Licenced Practice: Those wishing to practice as Drs│nurses│dentists in Sri Lanka may only do so after registration with the relevant Sri Lankan body, and after acceptance of your current licencing and qualifications
References: GAFV requires 1 professional reference, on headed paper, sent to us from your referee’s work’s email, for those on licenced practice│electives│teaching│NGO Internships
Police Clearance Checks: All people wishing to join our programmes must provide a criminal record check from the country that issues your passport, and any country you have been residing in for over 12 months in the year prior to joining us.
Airport pickup: this is only included in your itinerary by prior agreement, and with an additional payment. It is possible to join us at our HQ by public transport from the airport, and full details will be given if this is your preferrence
Orientation: you will receive an orientation program before beginning on arrival at your base in Ghana, and before your programme begins.
Program timetable: you may volunteer for 3- 5 days a week, depending on what you wish to do, giving you weekends off to experience the history, culture, and sights of Sri Lanka.
Accommodation: You will stay at the Fig and Gecko hostel, which is our HQ and accommodation for volunteers
Food: you will enjoy a range of local and foreign food, with daily choices. You may also join cooking classes and learn how to prepare Sri Lankan food cooked in clay pots on wood fires
Drinking water: the tap water in Sri Lanka is safe to drink, but has a ‘taste’. We provide filtered water at the Fig and Gecko, from which you can fill your bottles. 1.5L of sealed bottled water is widely available to buy in shops and roadside stalls at less than $0.50 / bottle.
Vaccinations and Health: please check your government advisories. Some advisories may be found here at our Global-info page under Government│Other Travel Advisories.
Yellow Fever: You will not need a yellow fever vaccination.
Mosquitos: Malaria is not transmitted in Sri Lanka. Dengue is a growing problem, mostly in the Colombo area. You are advised to bring insect repellent with you. Mosquito nets are provided.