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Volunteer Job Descriptions

1. Job Title: Teacher – ESL and basic computer skills

Duration: 3 months minimum

The Nava Shakti Education Centre provides after-school tuition to children aged 4 to 15 from Mondays to Fridays. There are currently several local volunteers who teach subjects ranging from mathematics to English and Tamil grammar.

Volunteer English teachers are now needed to conduct English classes with the children, aged 4-15, as well as separate classes for the local volunteer teachers. In addition, instruction in basic computer literacy will benefit students and teachers alike.

Duties

• Daily structured one hour conversational English lessons for the children, divided into ½ hour lessons for younger and older children.
• Separate structured one hour English lessons for the teachers.
• Computer training for children and teachers on a casual basis (in-depth instruction for staff and interested children).
• Community centre runs daily from Monday to Fridays

Volunteers may occasionally be asked to perform tasks outside of their job description.

Experience required

Essential

• Experience working and/or living in a developing country.
• At least one year teaching experience.
• Experience working and interacting with children.

Desired

• Previous ESL teaching experience abroad would be an asset.
• A knowledge of child rights and issues dealing with trauma (specifically as it relates to the tsunami).

Skills required

Essential

• Organized – daily lessons need to be structured around a long-term learning strategy.
• Patience and an ability to interact with children of all ages.
• Ability to live in a foreign country while remaining sensitive to the culture, particularly while interacting with staff & local families.

Desired

• Some knowledge of Tamil language

What to bring:

• Teaching tools, including visual aids, games, songs, etc.
• Digital camera

2. Project Manager – Women’s empowerment programs
Duration: 6 months minimum

In addition to the educational programs, the Nava Shakti Welfare Organization offers programs such as vocational training and microfinancing to its adult women members. The NSWO is now looking to garner support for such programs, and volunteers are needed to liaise with other local and international NGO’s for funding and other expertise, as well as expanding on current initiatives relating to Women’s empowerment and community development.

Duties

• research funding options for existing programs by liaising with local and international NGO’s.
• Separate structured 1 hour English lessons for the teachers.
• maintain regular communication with donors, preparing regular field reports and other updates as requested.
• Community centre runs daily from Monday to Fridays
• act as a communication link between donor organization and NSWO members.
• provide basic training (eg. computer skills) as needed.

Please note that you may occasionally be asked to perform tasks outside of this job description.

Experience required

Essential

• Experience working and/or living in a developing country.
• Fundraising experience.

Desired

• • A knowledge of women’s issues and other issues dealing with trauma (specifically as it relates to the tsunami).

Skills required

Essential

• Organizational and administrative skills.
• Creativity and problem-solving skills
• Ability to live in a foreign country while remaining sensitive to the culture, particularly while staying with local families.

Desired

• Some knowledge of written and spoken Tamil

What to bring:

• It is suggested that you do some fundraising at home to fund both your trip and other projects you may wish to initiate or support during your stay.
• A laptop computer and an unlocked GSM mobile phone.

Additional Information

Location
Pandiruppu, Kalmunai, Ampara District in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

Accommodation
The volunteer teacher will stay with a welcoming local family with limited English. A private room will be provided, although the volunteer may be asked to share with other foreign volunteers as the need arises. Three nutritious meals will provided by the family daily. The volunteer is asked to contribute 500 rupees (about $5 USD) per day to cover the cost of their stay. The home includes a squat toilet and bathing is done outdoors (but privately) with water drawn from a well.

Transportation
All volunteers are expected to cover the cost of all transportation to and from Sri Lanka, as well as travel throughout the country.

Insurance
Health insurance is a must, and all volunteers are expected to cover this before they leave. Insurance details must be given to us upon arrival. Volunteers are also requested to register with their embassy upon arrival.

Visa
A 30-day tourist visa is issued for free upon arrival in Sri Lanka, and a 3 month extension will be needed to cover the duration of the project. This can be acquired in Colombo once the volunteer has arrived. Alternatively, a 3-month tourist visa can be issued at foreign consulates within one month before departure.

A word of warning!

Whilst life here on the east coast can be immensely rewarding and lots of fun, it is important that you are fully prepared for some of the tougher aspects.

Financial Planning
Our volunteers are entirely self funded. Whilst life here can be extremely cheap, you will be expected to cover all your costs whilst you are here. You may also find that you wish to raise some funds to donate to local people. There will be no shortage of requests!

Isolation
Pandiruppu is a small Hindu village directly north of the predominantly Muslim town of Kalmunai. The closest town centres are Batticaloa and Ampara, and Colombo is a 9-hour train ride from the east coast. There isn’t much of a night-life in Pandiruppu or Kalmunai, as social life is largely centred on religion.

Cultural limitations
As we are working for the community, it is absolutely essential that we keep good relations with the local people. An ideal volunteer would therefore be someone who wishes to immerse him/herself in the culture of the East coast of Sri Lanka.

Security
The east coast of Sri Lanka was severely affected by a civil war that lasted over two decades until a cease-fire agreement was signed in 2001. The scars of the conflict still remain, and ethnic tensions do occasionally flare up. As can be expected, there is a strong military presence in this region. Having said this, there is no direct threat to foreigners, as they are completely excluded from the conflict.