Sri Lanka, Galle5/5 (2 reviews)
Women's empowerment in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, teach English to underprivileged rural women to build their confidence and improve their job prospects. A programme open to women only.
- Where
- Galle, Sri Lanka
- Length
- From 2 to 12 weeks
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Language
- English intermediate
- Departures
- Every Saturday
from €1,095 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
This humanitarian organization for women’s rights works to improve the position of women in Sri Lankan society, which is currently shaped by traditional culture, colonial history, and post-independence politics.
This programme aims to provide underprivileged rural women in Sri Lanka with English and social skills to boost their confidence, improve their social interactions, and increase their job opportunities. It addresses a critical need for their personal and professional development.
Unfortunately, the traditional family model in Sri Lanka rarely benefits women, especially in rural areas. A woman’s traditional family responsibilities, as a mother or wife, limit their employment choices, as do the attitudes of their families and society towards certain types of jobs.
Background
In Sri Lanka, most women can write and speak Sinhala and/or Tamil. In the 1950s, education became free, and the language of instruction shifted from English to local languages. As a result, women gained access to education because parents no longer had to choose whether to invest in their sons’ or daughters’ education. Female enrollment rates increased rapidly, and gender disparity has decreased significantly since the 1960s. Despite this, dropout rates remain very high among girls, especially those from underprivileged neighborhoods and remote villages, particularly in rural Muslim communities.
In 1983, Sri Lanka’s civil war brought major upheaval and social trauma. Social sector spending declined, leading to deteriorated public health and education. Many women were marginalized in precarious situations and unpaid work. Studies have shown that the condition of women in rural areas has worsened over the past 30 years. Women were pushed into unemployment and unskilled jobs. The 2004 tsunami also contributed to the decline of Sri Lanka’s job market and the quality of life for women and their families.
Women’s empowerment comes in many forms. Our humanitarian association for women’s rights in Sri Lanka has chosen English language teaching as a tool to build women’s confidence and prepare them for working life. The women in the project come from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly from Muslim communities, which suffered the most during this recent turbulent period. Most of them were married at a young age to start a family at the expense of the careers they dreamed of. Many are eager to learn English to foster their personal development, build self-esteem, and gain employable skills. For many, engaging with our volunteers is a welcome break from their daily routine.
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
Your role
From Monday to Friday, your role will be to:
- Teach basic English lessons to women
- 2 hours of teaching in the afternoon
- Sessions conducted in a friendly atmosphere in small groups of 5 to 20 people.
- Volunteers are expected to prepare thoroughly (1–2 hours per day) to deliver these lessons. Volunteers may ask our team for help with lesson planning and delivery. However, they will be responsible for organizing their own classes.
Sessions will be held in our teaching center, equipped with tables, chairs, whiteboards, books, and other educational resources.
During English lessons, you can:
- Conduct conversational sessions, which are highly encouraged
- Introduce some grammar basics
- Use various fun and engaging learning methods such as role-playing to emphasize practicality
Ideally, we prefer candidates with a background in teaching for this project. However, anyone willing to help and with a good command of English can be trained by our team.
Additionally, participants may take part in extra teaching sessions in the morning if they wish (depending on availability). This includes kindergarten classes or lessons for Buddhist monks. The coordinator of this humanitarian association for women’s rights will discuss these opportunities with volunteers during the introduction phase.
Accommodation and meals
You will be accommodated in one of the two volunteer houses, located in the Unawatuna neighborhood, just a 15-minute drive from the center of Galle and a 5-minute walk from the beach.
These houses have several (non-mixed) rooms that can accommodate between 4 and 6 people, and each is equipped with bathrooms. Each house also includes an outdoor space, providing a peaceful place to relax, socialize, or simply enjoy the region’s pleasant weather. In addition, meals are included in the project.
The distribution of volunteers will be organized taking into account the availability of each house.
For couples, families, or individuals preferring a single, double, or family room, additional options are available for an extra charge. For more information on rates and terms, please contact us directly.
Free time and activities
In addition to your project, those interested may choose to go on a one-week tour to explore the best of Sri Lanka’s beauty and diversity. From Galle to Sigiriya, through Kandy and Ella, you’ll discover the southern, central, and western regions of this stunning tropical island.
Please contact us for departure dates.
Tour price: 810 euros.
The host organisation
Freepackers is the only exclusive partner in France for this project in Sri Lanka. We guarantee ethical projects with high-quality supervision, carefully selected and monitored through regular on-site visits. Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations, ensuring a real and transparent local impact.
Dress Code
A traditional dress code must be followed during the project. Knees and shoulders should be covered, as well as tattoos. It is mandatory to wear the provided blue cotton tunic during the classes. The rest of the clothing can be casual and comfortable.
Budget
How long are you going for?
Arrivals every Saturday.
What is included
- Airport pick-up 6:00am-1:00pm or 2:30pm-6:30pm on Saturdays
- All meals
- Accommodation in the volunteer house
- Orientation session and daily briefing
- Supervision and training
- Wifi (limited)
- Donation to the project
Not included
- International Flights
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Visa
- Arrivals outside official pick-up times (additional charge)
- Additional day/nights (15 euros per day)
- Wifi (optional subscription)
- Return airport transfer
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Responsible travel by Freepackers
Why not take your time?
Extend your trip in Sri Lanka
No volunteering here: a tour with local guides, at your own pace. The team arranges it with your stay, in the same enquiry.
All 3 tours in Sri LankaYou can add it when you fill in your enquiry.
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
- Programme exclusively for women
- Intermediate level of English (understanding instructions, being able to communicate)
- Copy of passport
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
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