Draft Itinerary for 3 Weeks in Sri Lanka

Day 1 through 3  - Orientation, Lectures, and Introduction to Sarvodaya

• arrival in Colombo – the capital of Sri Lanka

• hosted by Sarvodaya – 2 nights at Colombo office/hostel for introductions and briefing sessions

• meet with a number of select individuals from governmental agencies and international organizations (USAID, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, or similar organizations), and government agency to be determined

• Visit Sarvodaya’s headquarters for additional briefings on microfinance (SEEDS) and other programs.  Interactive session/discussion with other international volunteers on their experiences

Day 4 and 5 – Tsunami Area Visit

• Day visit to Tsunami reconstruction communities along the coast

• Discuss with NGOs and locals about progress (or lack there of) with projects planned and carried out since the Tsunami in 2004

Day 6 – Return to Colombo

Return to Colombo for night, possible free time, laundry, internet, phone calls, etc.

Day 7 – 10 – Kandy and ICES

• Visit the ancient city of Kandy

• briefings by International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) and other experts on conflict and peace negotiations

• a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (known as Sri Dalada Maligawa),

• attend traditional Kandian Dance show in the evening

• visit to the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage

• visit to tea estate where students may join in the plantation work for a half day?

Day 11 - 17  - Homestays and Community-based Development with Sarvodaya

• Village in Annuradapura area or site to be determined

• Introduction to village and projects at work

• Introduction to homestay families

• Shramadana shared community/service work on project to be determined

• Possible visits to unique sites in and around surrounding villages the region

• focus could be on youth education, women’s empowerment, microfinance, small enterprise development, community health initiatives, etc.

Day 18-19  - Historical Site Visits / Cultural Influences

• visit to Sigirya, a rock fortress

• visit to Polonnaruwa – known as the Temple of Monkies – briefing on primate research project at the Nature Sanctuary and Archeological Reserve – a project co-sponsored by Earthwatch and the Smithsonian Institution

Day 20-21 – Final Debriefings and Departure

• Return to Colombo or Moratuwa with Sarvodaya for final discussions and trip debriefings in classroom settings

• Students present their reflections to selected Sarvodaya staff 

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