Medi S1 | NICE-24S-0903A | 2024-09-03 - 2024-09-12 | AGRI,SOCI | Age: 18 - 99

This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)and SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), organized together with Green Volunteers for Green Future (GV4GF) since 2012 (first time in this place!). Meegaswewa is a very rural area and 425 families. In 1986 they migrated here and established illegally. In 1993 they received legal permission to stay and do something for a living. More than 80% of the population depends on agriculture. Others are catching fish, making bricks, etc. for a living. According to the climate, they can work only for 6 months. Other 6 months all of them are working as temporary laborers. The village school accommodates up to grade 11 and after that, students have to help their parents or have to find a job elsewhere. The village is located middle of the forest and we can see elephants in the evening close to the village border. Public Transport system is very weak here. Almost every family has a motor bicycle or tuk tuk for transport. No foreigners are visited there and no locals visit this area for tourism because facilities are very low. There are very rich people, less than 2% are living here and all others are in deep poverty. It is time to explore the life of other countries and get an idea and education on the development and how it benefits common people. During the 21st century, technology has changed rapidly but it has not reached these areas because of language barriers, unawareness, narrow perspectives, and so on. As a country, everyone should be a part of the country’s development process but unfortunately, these rural communities are somehow rejected by the administration. But actually, communities’ active participation is essential to overcome the burdens and to establish a just society.

Work: Our projects consist of two parts. First three days we worked at the one place that was our main work, helping the families to do their work in the workshop which making clay bricks. Mixing clay with water, making bricks, and placing it to dry are among the main work. Second four days, we moved around the village to meet the community to do our next part of the project. During this week you can meet a family, youth/children society members and watch their activities, women’s/farmers groups, visit village school, etc. Among work scheduled volunteers participating, 1. Help to family to do their clay brick-making activities 2. Cultural exchange programs with villagers including youths. 3. Activities with children 4. Work and assist with self-help group member’s activities 5. Visit village kindergarten

Accomodation and food: Village house with a host family, located close to nice paddy fields. There is electricity and purified drinking water available. Mobile phone connections are working. Internet is available, but not strong and no Wi-Fi. You cannot use toilet paper here. You have to wash your clothes by hand and hang them outside for drying.

Location: Medirigiriya

Location and Leisure: Meegaswewa is located in Polonnaruwa District. Polonnaruwa is the second ancient kingdom in Sri Lanka and is declared a world heritage site. Lots of ruins are still there including stone carvings, palaces, temples, pagodas, shrines, parks lakes, etc. and most of them are more than 1100 years old. This is one of the very populated destinations among tourists. The total area is religious and hundreds of pilgrimages visit daily and for religious ceremonies. Lots of ruins still can be seen 27 km around the city. The majority of the population depends on paddy farming. Polonnaruwa is another low population density area recorded 122 people per square KM. The project site, Meegaswewa is located 285 km from Colombo.

Airport: CMB

Train/Bus station: Colombo - Volunteers need to arrive at Katunayake Bandaranayake International Airport by the end of Sep. 02 and can leave there after 22:00 of Sep. 12. 7 hours by bus to the site. You will meet at the Colombo Government bus terminal in the morning on the first day.

Requirements: Necessary = High motivation to work with people, some knowledge about nursery work, adapt/ respect to village life local culture, and rules, Desirable = language skills of Sri Lankan, experience in joining/ coordinating international workcamps, teamwork some sports 230 EUR to be paid on your arrivals. 20 EUR less for repeaters of GV4GF workcamps and vols. from less expensive countries. There is optional service of 50 EUR to pick up at the airport and one night stay in the guest house, following day breakfast and moving to the meeting point are included.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 220 EUR

Local SDGs (2030 goals) of Meegaswewa and Sri Lanka