Ambalangoda is a coastal town located in Galle District, Southern Province of Sri Lanka. This little town by the ocean is a sweaty, workaday town, and not touristic. Ambalangoda is known as a Buddhist city in Sri Lanka. Ambalangoda is the place where "Masks" originated in Sri Lanka during the days of the kings and this is still thriving, although sometimes a bit modernized. In addition, the place is reputed for its golden beaches, puppet shows, devil dancing, moonstone, and antique furniture. Plantations of low country tea, rubber, coconut and cinnamon plantations and factories.

There are 5 out of 7 species of turtles that live in the Indian Ocean. Our program breeds and cares for all 5 of these different species: Leatherback, Loggerhead, Hauxville, Green and Olive Ridley. There are around 30 disabled turtles living in the centre, and in a separate centre, we hatch hundreds of turtle eggs to be released to the ocean when born. The purpose of this organization is not for commercial interest, but to give these animals an opportunity to survive after being injured. Turtles have been known to live between 200 and 300 years.

Helping and conserving these turtles is our highest priority, therefore we require the you to take this job as seriously as possible. Smoking or drinking any sort of liquids, as well as using sunscreen or chemicals on the parts of the skin that touches the water or turtle is strictly forbidden during project hours. The coordinators have a lot of experience caring for these animals so we ask to follow every instruction knowing it is in the turtles' best interest.

The aim of this project is to rescue injured turtles, medicate them, and release them back into the wild. As for the injured which are not fit to be released back into the wild, are kept at the rehabilitation center and taken care. These turtles propagate and the baby hatchlings are released into the ocean, thus increasing the number of turtles in the ocean.

The activities change according to the beach weather conditions and to the number of participants but the time spent with this marvelous creatures is the main aim of our participants involvement.

This program requires hard working and willing to support in the cleaning of the turtles, the tanks and the turtle conservation centre. It is vital to have a clean and hygienic centre for these animals. Other activities involve feeding them and helping with the weekly release of over 100 new born turtles into the ocean.

- Collecting the eggs
- Monitoring the hatching of the eggs
- Identifying different kinds of turtles
- Feeding the turtles
- Cleaning the turtle tanks
- Cleaning the turtle shells
- Treatment for injured and sick turtles
- Releasing turtles into the sea
- Explaining about the turtles to visitors (‘Awareness Camps’)
- Cleaning the beach and general areas
- Get a chance to learn about sea plants
- For the artistically inclined there may well be various painting projects.

We often run ‘Awareness Camps’ for groups of tourists who make a special trip to this area to see our work, and whilst with us the expertise you gain can allow you to assist in some of the instruction. We also work closely with many local and international conservation partners and regularly collect data to ensure our efforts are having the results we desire, and you will also be part of this data collection process.

Volunteers who are with us for longer than one month will also learn about the tree plantation, another area where your work can have a big long-term impact.

Please note that the schedule is subject to change according to the needs of the turtles, weather conditions, number of participants, the time of year etc.

The project is closed on these public holidays:

2018
24 September
24 October
06, 20 & 22 November
01 & 25 December

2019
15 January
04 & 19 February
04 & 20 March
15-19 April
01 & 18 May
05 June
16 July
12 & 15 August
13 September
12 November
11 & 25 December

Minimum age of 18
Basic level of competency in English
Travel & medical insurance
Police clearance certificate
You must also hand over copies of your passport, visa as well as the police clearance certificate on arrival.

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.