Who We Are
Every child deserves a future. Heart to Heart believes that only through education the future of our younger generation can be changed. Education is one of the most powerful weapons in fighting poverty. So, we teachers of government- schools in the area around Akuressa established this organization to fulfil these needs.
Akuressa is a rural village in the district of Matara. There is still traditional village life to be experienced although it is close to the tourist area. Many people here are tea puckers and paddy field cultivators. Most of them are Sinhala Buddhists. We are glad to say that they all lead a happy family life although they are not rich. We have founded our organization in this village to support the younger generation with education.
There are endless ways to make a big difference in a child’s life – and benefit from your help.
Our programs
God-Father
God-Mother
Assisting Children to go to School.
Preparing Educational Opportunity
Connecting Volunteers as a Teacher
God-Father or God-Mother programme
In our schools the teachers work together with school councillors. Children who need help, are used to seek help from school councillors. School councillors have all details of children and they know what children need. Some students are poor, some don’t have father or mother. They live with grandfather or grandmother.
In general we do not publish their details but in case of need we are ready to hand on their details at any time. You can either help the children directly (e.g.: sending money to their account) or by contacting us. Your money will be used for tutorial classes, for school stationary, and school uniforms:
- advanced level students (17-18 years): $35 per month for about two schoolyears
- ordinary level students (6-16 years): $25 per month
You are welcome to ask for their progress at any time.
Assisting children to go to school
As many parents of the students are farmers who do not have fix or regular income, they would need your help only in times of droughts and famines. Sometimes the breadwinner of a family is in hospital or at home without having any job. At that time children need your help, too.
Some children are very talented in some fields. They need support to develop their talents and become independent for their future lives.
Preparing educational opportunity
We run extra English classes for school children and school leavers. We do these classes in a rented place and we get little money from students to cover the costs. Our aim is to run these classes free of charge. Your donation will sponsor one or two teachers, stationery, the rent, and the electricity bill. And so we can run extra classes due to our needs.
Connecting Volunteers as a Teacher
Sri Lanka’s education system is pretty impressive for a developing country of its size. Universal public education is available from the age of 6 to the age of 18. However, many government schools, particularly in rural areas like Akuressa, receive minimal government funding – especially considering the size of the communities they are expected to serve. The facilities at the schools are very basic, particularly the classrooms that get extremely cramped as average class sizes are around 40 to 60 children.
The ability to speak English is becoming of growing importance in Sri Lanka. The two main sources of income in Sri Lanka come from tourism and migrant workers going to the Middle East. Both occupations require the ability to speak English – the world’s global language. However, the level of English teaching in government schools is limited. Class sizes are large and the teachers’ English speaking skills are by no means perfect. It is only the middle and upper class children who can afford private English lessons. Therefore it is no surprise that children from most low-income families speak little or no English. Our aim is to give the poorer children of Akuressa, the same opportunities as their more wealthy peers so they too have the chance to develop their ability to speak English.
Our English Teaching Volunteer Programme in Sri Lanka enables you to teach English in two different types of placement: our own after-school education programme and at school as an assistant
You can use this program as part of a university or college placement?
It is certainly possible to use our programmes as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course. We started this service with the students of university of Internation Coöperation North South in Belgium. Every year they (University) send two or three students to fulfill their internship and thesis for six month. So this is a perfect place for your internship or thesis, too.
Although our volunteers work in a developing country, we ensure that our host locations are safe.
Suitable For
Singles
Couples
Groups
No teaching experience is required to join this programme nevertheless it is an advantage to have some. You will always have a syllabus to follow and our local team will support you in planning your lessons. This is really something that anyone can get involved in. We expect our volunteers to spend an hour or two each day preparing the lessons of the following days.
Program Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
Free-Time Activities
We do this project in a poor village called Akuressa near Mirissa, Weligama and Unawatuna; Hikkaduwa, Polhena beaches. Sinharaja rainforest (World Heritage), elephant orphanage or the Ayurvedic snake doctor (who runs a snake conservation project) are not far away. We are living around paddy fields and tea factories. So, local people are farmers, tea pluckers and factory workers. Lots of them are Buddhists. Although Akuressa is close to tourist places you can still find innocent village family life. So we expect from volunteers to respect our cultural traditions.
We do this project in a poor village called Akuressa near Mirissa, Weligama and Unawatuna; Hikkaduwa, Polhena beaches. Sinharaja rainforest (World Heritage), elephant orphanage or the Ayurvedic snake doctor (who runs a snake conservation project) are not far away. We are living around paddy fields and tea factories. So, local people are farmers, tea pluckers and factory workers. Lots of them are Buddhists. Although Akuressa is close to tourist places you can still find innocent village family life. So we expect from volunteers to respect our cultural traditions.
Akuressa town has all the amenities you require, such as banks, hospitals and shops, a central bus station, which has good links to all the major destinations you are likely to go to.
The following beaches are only a one-hour tuk-tuk ride away from the volunteer`s accommodation.
The beaches mentioned above have long been among the most popular ones of Sri Lanka’s beach spots. They have a lively and fun vibe – and are, without any doubt, backpacker towns. It is also your best choice for evening drinks and meals out during your time with us. Furthermore, the surfing in the Weligama region is quite well known and gets the best surf during its dry season, November to March.
Cultural things to do
GALLE
Galle, a Fort founded in the 18th century by the Dutch, is now a UNESCO World Heritage town with chique shops, grand colonial houses and beautiful beaches. There are plenty of places to stay, depending on your demands and budget.
Unawatuna, close to Galle, has good nightlife and a variety of activities can be done: jet skiing, scuba diving and glass boat cruises. To have a good surf you go to Habaraduwa or Ahangama.
If you’re looking to witness some wildlife during your time in Sri Lanka then we recommend YALA NATIONAL PARK
Accommodation and fees (15 – 25 dollars a day)
free accommodation (basic but comfortable: a king-size bed, fans, mosquito net, bathroom is to be shared, has a shower and a western style toilet)
Cold water & Hot water,
tradiotional Sri Lankan food (three meals are served per day : a lot of rice, fish or chicken – vegetarian food always available)
Own food can be prepared in the kitchen with a refrigerator.
If you fancy western food, you can find plenty of restaurants nearby in Weligama town
two bicycles
host family`s car for visiting places
They Need Your Help!
Donation
Account name: Heart to Heart social welfare society
Account number: 8350032847
Swift code: CCEYLKLX
Contact No – Tel : 41794405370 / Tel : 0094714395774