Graduates Set Up Volunteer Organisation in Sri Lanka, SL Volunteers

Wadhurst, United Kingdom, December 01, 2010 --(PR.com)-- After Graduating in 2008, like many fellow graduates, Lucy Nightingale from Manchester University struggled to find employment and with graduate unemployment rates hitting all time highs, Lucy dreamed of escaping the UK to leave the doom and gloom behind. The idea of idly travelling the globe, hopping from beach to beach did sound tempting, but Lucy feared it would not make her employment situation any better when she inevitably returned. After researching opportunities abroad, volunteer teaching seemed ideal, as it offered her the opportunity to experience another culture and at the same gain experience and skills. But with the VSO and UN Volunteers being over subscribed and often requesting PHD qualifications, Lucy turned to the more commercial volunteer organisations but failed to find a placement that was within her ever-decreasing budget. Her dream was put on hold.

Over the course of 2 years, Lucy found that she was not alone in her aspirations and in May 2010, Lucy and team of fellow graduates from Manchester University set off to Sri Lanka to set up their own volunteer organisation, later named "SL Volunteers". Their objective: to offer volunteer placements that would give other graduates skills training and experience, at an ethical price. The SL Volunteers team worked with NGOS, charities and local social workers introduced them to projects that would benefit from foreign volunteers. Additionally, the Sri Lankan Social Workers offered to train volunteers to work effectively and sensitively with beneficiaries, with regards to the social and cultural context.

Since launching in May, "SL Volunteers" has received just over 50 graduates to teach English at children’s homes around the south west of Sri Lanka. SL Volunteers' main aim is to offer the beneficiary children with extra curricular teaching and activities to enable them to catch up with other children their age and have enhanced career opportunities when they eventually leave the homes. Due to severe underfunding, the living standards at these Children’s homes are extremely basic and are often further compromised to accommodate greater numbers. As a result, they are homes are substantially understaffed and volunteer act as positive role models for the children who are aged between 2 to 18 and additionally provide them with some much needed personal attention. SL Volunteers are continually researching and establishing new projects. The latest projects include; therapy and activity sessions at special needs centres, English teaching and sport coaching disadvantaged youths and physiotherapy for the elderly.

In an effort to keep expenses low for future volunteers, SL Volunteers do not pay to promote the project and previous volunteers work to recruit people to carry on their great work.

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