Once you think about volunteering, your mind may be full of questions, doubts and excitements. We hope to provide satisfactory answer for most of these initial queries in this part.

1. Why do I choose Sri Lanka?
2. Is Sri Lanka safe?
3. What is the program duration?
4. What age do I have to be a volunteer?
5. Do I have to speak a foreign language?
6. Why should I pay for registration fee?
7. How could I make my payment?
8. Is the program fee tax-deductible?
9. Are Master, Visa and other cards accepted?
10. Who organizes my flights?
11. Do I need travel insurance?
12. What Should I bring for myself?
13. What should I bring for kids in project?
14. Will there be any volunteers present during orientation time?
15. What are the existing conditions of my placement?
16. Will there be someone to pick me up from airport?
17. Will I have time to explore Galle during my language and culture program?
18. How much extra money do I need?
19. Will I have communications access?
20. Can I accompany with other volunteers?
21. Is it possible to change placement if I get dissatisfied?
22. What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is over?
23. Vaccinations and Medication
24. Are Asia Horizon programs only for International volunteers?
25. Visa
26. Traveling
27. Where is the arrival and departure point?
28. Clothes and Climate in Placement Areas
29. Emergency Contact
30. What are the characteristics of good volunteer?
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Why do I choose Sri Lanka?

You will have remarkable opportunities to explore breathtaking Sri Lankan sights whilst supporting to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and underprivileged rural communities. Volunteers visit the most popular tourist destinations and discover the hidden riches of this memorable country through the guidance of our native in-country coordinator. Stimulating work will provide a look at the unique challenges and issues that rural villagers are facing. Your small effort may bring a significant difference to the people you will be working with and for yourself.

Is Sri Lanka safe?

Asia Horizon always ensures you that you are placed in safe environments while volunteering. Sri Lanka is a safe country. There are a few areas that are not pretty safe to visit due to a terrorist group called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Areas dominated by this group are risky. Though the target of LTTE is political not the tourists, you should be conscious. Nevertheless, Galle is very safe and untouched by LTTE’s activities.

What is the program duration?

Our volunteer projects start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month and run throughout the year for a period of 2-12 week.

What age do I have to be a volunteer?

You must be at least 18 years old to be a volunteer and you should be in good health; there is no upper limit.

Do I have to speak a foreign language?

Volunteers on our short-term (2-3 week programs) do not need foreign language skills. Those volunteers interested in participating on one of our long-term programs need to have intermediate language abilities in the spoken language of the program country. Orientation will include an intensive introduction to Sri Lankan language and you will learn it quickly.

Why should I pay for registration fee?

The registration fee is required to run the organization (office space, computers, Internet, supplies and Staffs). Asia Horizon has international office in USA to run the coordinated program and we have country offices in different countries where we run our programs. Part of the fee goes to maintaining these offices. The remaining money of the program directly goes to support the projects.

How could I make my payment?

All payments have to be done after your placement is confirmed. We do not accept monthly installments. If you want to stay longer than your committed period, you have to inform us and pay accordingly. Payment can be done either by wire transfer or by card.

Is the program fee tax-deductible?

Asia Horizon is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The program fees and all expenses related to your volunteer program, including airfare, are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. However, any amount given by donors for your specific volunteer program is NOT tax-deductible for the donors. Please consult a tax professional regarding your individual tax situation.

Are Master, Visa and other cards accepted?

Nowadays, there are ATM services in most of the cities in Sri Lanka, which will be open during the day. There are also several banks and money exchange services. You can bring Master/Visa card, cash $/ Euro or travelers checks, these all are accepted.

Who organizes my flights?

You will have to arrange your flights to and from Sri Lanka since you are not charged for airfare.

Do I need travel insurance?

As with any overseas traveling, health insurance is recommended. Please obtain necessary health and travel insurance before going to Sri Lanka. Talk to your travel agent about this or search on the internet to see what offers are available, and make sure you look into the details of the policy. Find out if it covers airfare in case of a medical emergency.

What should I bring for myself?

This will vary depending on what activities you want to participate in and how much you need to be comfortable during your placement. With the exception of medicine and first-aid-kit, you can buy everything that you would need for your placement in Colombo (likely cheaper than in your home country). Here are a few suggestions:

• Sleeping Bag
• Hiking boots
• Waterproof jacket (a fold-away windcheater is fine)
• Mosquito repellent
• Sun cream
• Water purification tablets and/or good quality water purifier
• First aid kit
• Flashlight (torch)
• Penknife
• Books about your country
• Photos of your family / friends / home etc.

What should I bring for kids in project?

It is not obligation to bring gift for project but they would appreciate, if you bring any gifts. You could bring gifts like toys, books, chocolate, pencil etc.

Will there be any volunteers present during orientation time?

Asia Horizon receives 5-10 volunteers a month (depending on season). Most long-term volunteers join the language and culture program. We offer language and culture program in fixed dates to make a small group. Usually there are between 3 and 10 volunteers at the orientation.

What are the existing conditions of my placement?

You are provided with food and accommodations; your program fee covers them. During the training, you will stay at hostel in Galle with other volunteers. We offer food and accommodations from the first day of the program to the last day. Local food trice a day is provided for you while training and volunteering. You are advised to buy your own bottled water once you arrive in Sri Lanka. For the volunteers who arrive earlier or who want to stay longer, it is not possible to offer accommodations and food, but we will help volunteers to find a quality, inexpensive place to stay.

The living conditions of the placement depend on the area. One should not expect luxurious accommodations with cozy bed, hot showers and a bathroom like in your home country. You will be placed within a family setting with your own room having electricity. Our host families are mostly educated, well respected in society, and experienced with international volunteers. Some members of host families may speak English.

Will there be someone to pick me up from airport?

You need not be worry about airport pick-up. One of our representatives will be waiting for you at the airport terminal. He will be holding a card with your name on it. Please do not forget to send your detailed flight itinerary in advance.

Will I have time to explore Colombo during my language and culture program?

You will have plenty of time to explore Colombo and Galle during orientation. As a part of the language program, we offer a tour.

Do I need extra money?

We manage food and accommodation for volunteers from the first to last day of program so there will not be need of more money. It depends on how much you want to expend. The things in Sri Lanka are inexpensive. You may need some extra money if you plan to take part in activities outside the organization or if you just want to buy some souvenirs. You must also remember the VISA fee depending on the length of stay. There is also an airport tax, which you pay upon your departure from Sri Lanka.

Will I have communications access?

This all depends on your placement. Almost all placements will have access to a Post Office. If you are in a city placement, you can have phone and e-mail access. However, this information will all be given to you before your departure to Sri Lanka.

Can I accompany with other volunteers?

We allow people to come with a friend or even in a large group. You sometimes may be placed in different location situated within same area. We can place any volunteer near to another volunteer already working in the field. Please be reminded that two different genders of volunteers are not allowed to stay in same house unless they are a married couple.

Is it possible to change placement if I get dissatisfied?

Asia Horizon will consider request of volunteer seriously for the change of placement to meet the expectation of volunteers. We cannot change position frequently without genuine reasons.

What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is over?

Once the volunteer makes a decision and pays for the program fee, upon receipt of invoice, Asia Horizon does not refund any program fee under any circumstances. Nevertheless, if the volunteers have unavoidable circumstances (such as illness, death of in the family etc) may request to leave the program, we will consider to return 30% of the host family cost, if volunteer are registered for more than 30 days program. No refund will be made if program is less than 30 days and if volunteer leave program in their own decision.

Vaccinations and Medication

This all depends on what vaccinations you already have and what country you are coming from. We suggest that you consult a travel doctor from your country before you depart. Asia Horizon does not cover liability and insurance of volunteers. Therefore, volunteers must have appropriate insurance before joining the program. However, you should consider the following vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A & B
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Yellow fever
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria tablets

Are Asia Horizon programs only for International volunteers?

We mobilize national volunteers along with international volunteer as their counterparts.

Visa

Visa is issued on arrival for stay up to 30 days. Visa extension can be obtained at the Immigration Office in Colombo. Please visit the address below for more information:

www.projectvisa.com

http://www.immigration.gov.lk/html/visa/fees.html

Traveling

If you are planning to travel Sri Lanka after or before volunteer programs, you will need some extra money. Sri Lanka is a cheap place for shopping and travel. If you want to buy gifts for family and friends, you can buy it in Colombo. It is possible to get hotel room in $10-$15 per night in Colombo. You can change your major currencies and traveler checks in Colombo and at the airport. It is good idea to change your travel check at the airport.

Where is the arrival and departure point?

Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, around 30 km north of Colombo, is the international airport in Sri Lanka, so you will arrive and depart from there. Our representative will meet you at the airport.

Clothes and Climate in Placement Areas

Climate in Sri Lanka is tropical. Highland areas are cooler and more temperate, and coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes. There are two monsoons, which occur May to July and December to January. Lightweights and rainwear clothing is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings.

Emergency Contact

You have three parties available to you 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise: Asia Horizon staff, your host family, and your program supervisor. You will have contact information for all three before you arrive. If you failed to get our representative at airport or if your flight changed suddenly, please book a taxi that is available inside the airport and go to hotel or the hostel. Please call our office from the hotel.

What are the characteristics of good volunteer?

If you have attributes like Independence, Patience, Sense of humor, Tolerance Willingness, Flexibility, Self-motivation and Open-mindedness, you get the most out of your stay in Sri Lanka.