Sri Lanka is not as poor as many other countries; however, there is a significant gap between the haves and have-nots, which leads to social inequity.
Many Sri Lankan workers migrate in search of a decent wage. A large number of these migrant workers are females who often receive very low wages while working overseas. It is crucial to provide better protection for these migrant workers. Sri Lanka has a substantial number of female domestic migrant workers.
Giving a Helping Hand in Galle
We have so so many ways in which we can be of help in any place. In the case of Galle, I found a couple of people who were selling beautifully handcrafted goods such as shirts, dresses, and jewelry. Here is a handmade embroidered dress I purchased from a lady in Galle. Looking forward to going back and getting more goodies…yeap…
This beautiful lady has been selling her handmade shirts, dresses, and other goods for many years under the shade around the Dutch Fort in Galle. I can’t wait to go back and buy a shirt this time:-)
Remember many women around the world work in the informal sector of the economy, so it is important to support their work!
Sarvodaya Organization
An amazing community organization that not only does great community work and volunteering but also has gained a wonderful reputation in Sri Lanka. This organization first started building roads in poor communities and later kept expanding throughout rural communities. This organization is based on the teachings of Buddhism but welcomes anyone who wishes to do some good, or a lot!
This organization is a great example of a model structure of a community work organization that works at many levels, covering various ages and activities. The organization has plenty of ongoing projects, and it has a very clear and comprehensive section on its website that outlines the many projects one can participate in as a volunteer.
There is a cost for volunteering that may cover different expenses such as meals, housing, transportation, administration costs, etc. This organization has experience with volunteers, and there are hired individuals who dedicate their time to administering your experience as effectively as possible. Always remember that during volunteering, there are often “unexpected” events, and not everything can be perfectly organized. Volunteering is about learning patience.
There are plenty advertised opportunities to volunteer in Sri Lanka.
REMEMBER THAT IF THEY CHARGE YOU MORE THAN 100 dollars to volunteer per week, you need to think twice about it. It is a business. You would be paying in 2024 per month what they pay a worker for a basic whole month’s salary. There are ethical issues in voluntourism that need to be addressed, such as the profit overseas makes by promoting paid volunteerism in a country other than their own. I have researched international law for a long long time and this issue has not been addressed.
