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Volunteer in Sri Lanka on this art therapy project supporting disabled people.
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and music skills are also needed. This would be great work
experience and a wonderful insight into Sri Lankan culture. Set on a beautiful beach.
Description of Project
The project is based in the small coastal town of Tangalle in the south of Sri Lanka. Tangalle
(population 6000) is centred around a traditional market. The economy is based upon fishing and
farming. There are also a number of comfortable guesthouses to cater for the small number of tourists
that come to enjoy the extensive beaches, surfing, scuba diving and view the wildlife. Sri Lanka's
main game reserve is situated just south of the town. Tangalle is set back from a long sandy 'picture
postcard' bay three or four miles in length. It has not yet developed as a tourist destination so the
only time that the beaches are busy are in the morning and evening when the fishermen pull their boats
ashore, unload their catch and mend their nets. Unfortunately the town and surrounding area was badly
damaged in the tsunami disaster. Many fishermen lost their boats and most properties within 100 metres
of the shore were completely destroyed. A considerable amount of work has been done to rebuild the
area and the economy is now on the road to a full recovery. Outreach International have placements in
and around Tangalle with the disabled, teaching in schools, working with giant sea turtles and also
helping at a school for deaf children and a school for blind children.
Volunteer Responsibilities / Activities
You would be based at the centre in Tangalle where most of the patients receive their therapy. Art
therapists would normally work with several small groups of children throughout the day. Art (including
drawing, painting music and dance) is known to provide great therapy and stress relief. Physiotherapists
and occupational therapists would work with patients who come to the centre and also visit people in their
homes. Depending on your level of experience you may be assisted by a junior Sri Lankan physiotherapist or
occupational therapist or offered guidance by somebody more senior to yourself. Facilities and resources
are good in terms of space and basic consumables. There is also a small budget to facilitate the project.
In addition to art therapy, OT and physiotherapy there is also a role for a volunteer to teach English to
the patients and staff. They have also put in a special request for a volunteer with musical skills.
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Summary
- Project Code:
S3
- Main Activity of Project:
Art therapy, occupational therapy,
physiotherapy.
- Minimum Period of Stay:
Two months.
- Cost:
Two months: £2460.
Three months: £2965.
For full details of our prices please see our costs page.
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Articles / Volunteer Evaluations
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Mr P and Mr D (the Outreach coordinators) have been absolutely outstanding in
their work for us. They have not only helped us settle into our new guest house
but sorted out the problem of paying for the reluctant tuktuk driver to help me
get to the deaf school. They have been phoning to check on us every day and have
been wonderfully friendly and helpful. We are lucky to have them as coordinators
and are fully aware of that!
As for my projects, I have been putting in extra hours to make up for the lost
time and I am loving them! Jessica and Becki have come to help me at the deaf
school and we have started painting a mural with the children. They love it! I
will try and send you some photos, just to see their smiles! The project is being
wonderful to me, thanks for Mr P and Mr D I can work there 3 days a week as an
art therapsit on tuesday and thursday and as a teachers aid on wednesday! This is
such a treat for me as i used to do it in my disabled school in england. Lastly
seenimodera is a huge and exciting challenge for me as i have never taught english
before, and jim is duantiung to follow! all the teachers are really kind to me
though and the head master is taking us all to see the blow hole!
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Evaluation by Lucy Fraser
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Myself and tom went to my school today and along with all the teachers and
children we visited the main project centre to plant 2 trees to commemorate the
school's 20th anniversary! We had a fantastic day and were shown around the centre
properly, meeting different people that work there and also the founders and
co-ordinators. There are approx 30 children in total at the school and i have 4
classes each day. The teachers usually stay in th class and join in with the art
which is appreciated as the children don't speak any english and my sinhala
consists of about 3 words! all the children have to travel long distances each
day to come to the school, and the mothers all spend the day at the school too
making lots of plain tea and generally being helpfull, friendly and teasing me
about my mossie bites!
the head teacher, madame christine is amazing and is planning a big art
exhibition of everything i've done with the children at the end of march! one of
the young children with downs syndrome who myself and tom have taken a shine too
returned to school today after being absent for 3 weeks, so had a really happy
moment this morning watching him dance around in a huge red curly wig and toms
glasses and making us all smile!
hope thats given you a bit more of an insight?!
speak to you soon, Miss Hazey!!
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Evaluation by Miss Hazey
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Everything is going really well here! The project is amazing!, i'm working at
the centre's school each day, which i love! the children are 5-9years and have
downs syndrome, are autistic or deaf, so its choas, messy and fantastic!! the
teachers are all really nice, and have so much energy! and madame Christine is
really lovely, speaks amazing english, is funny and so helpfull!
spending time at the main project centre next week as they want me to plant a
tree!
will send another email soon, giving you a bit more of an update, hope you are
all well!
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Evaluation by Hazel Needham
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The Project
The provides support for over 2000 disabled people. 65% of these are aged 1-14. Some of these
people have trauma related problems associated with the tsunami; others have cerebral palsy, club
foot, Downs syndrome or have been involved in an accident. They have a small team of physiotherapists,
an occupational therapist and a prosthetics workshop. (The prosthetics specialist was trained at the
Outreach International centre in Cambodia). The base is a spacious, colonial-style house on the edge
of Tangalle overlooking a spectacular sandy bay.
Accommodation / Food / Time Off
You would normally live with other volunteers in a great guesthouse, which is a close walk to the
ocean. You would be given an allowance for food. The staple diet is fish, prawns, rice and an
abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Pineapples, mangoes, guavas, papaya, avocadoes, limes and
tomatoes area all grown locally and can be bought very cheaply in the market. You would be expected to
work from 8:00 – 17:00 hrs five days a week. Week ends are free to explore the wonderful coastline and
other parts of Sri Lanka.
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