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Sri Lankan New Year Festival Sri Lanka

Camp code:

LK-SCI 12.1

Country:

Sri Lanka

Start Date:

10 Apr 2025

End Date:

20 Apr 2025

Topic:

12: Art, culture and local history

Options:

Mixed Age Camp
Wheelchair Accessible

Work Types:

Festival / Cultural heritage / Work with children

Number of volunteers:

6

International age:

18 - 99

National age:

16 - 99

Extra fee to be paid in the hosting country:

150.00 Euro [3284 Mexican Peso] 
Breakdown: 

1. Accommodation and food: 100.00 Euro
2. Transportation: 30.00 Euro
3. Activities: 20.00 Euro
4. Hosting organisation support: 0 Euro

Spoken Language:

English, French

Child friendly camp

Yes (Minimum age: 5)

Description: Sri Lanka celebrates its traditional New Year, known as "Sinhala and Tamil New Year" or "Aluth Avurudu" in Sinhala, with great enthusiasm and cultural significance. This festival typically occurs from April 12 to 14, marking the beginning of the astrological New Year in both the Sinhalese and Tamil calendars. The date is determined by the sun's position and the transition of zodiac signs. During this time, people engage in various celebrations, organizing festivals that feature traditional games and events to commemorate the new year.

Type of Work: We will organize a festival to celebrate the New Year with traditional games and social gatherings, aiming to bring together children from different communities, including Tamil, Sinhala, and Muslim, to celebrate in peace. Volunteers will work in teams to prepare the festival venue ahead of the event and will collaborate with the local organizing team to organize various games and activities on the day of the festival. This initiative seeks to foster unity and understanding among the diverse communities while enjoying the festive spirit.

Study Theme: Discussions: Sri Lanka's Sinhala and Tamil cultures are rich and diverse, reflecting the island's complex history. The Sinhala majority practices Buddhism, while the Tamil community is primarily Hindu, each with unique traditions and languages. This cultural diversity is both enriching and a source of tension, especially during the civil war that lasted nearly three decades. Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka is crucial for fostering understanding and reconciliation between these communities. 

Accommodation: Volunteers will be staying at Inspire Village, our partner in organizing this event. Inspire Village focuses on community engagement, service learning, and sustainable living, providing a supportive environment for volunteers to work closely with local communities while gaining valuable experiences. This partnership enhances the overall impact of the event, fostering collaboration and mutual understanding among participants. Accommodations will include shared cottages, where 3 to 4 volunteers will share a cottage with an attached bathroom, featuring three to four beds. 

Language: The main spoken language during the camp will be English but Sinhalese is the local language and the camp coordinator is French. 

Requirements: Volunteers must be interested on working with children and not be afraid of physical work. They also must be able to live with a group in very simple conditions. 

Approximate Location: Inspire Village is located, in the ancient city of Anuradhapura - 160 Km north of the Colombo airport. Anuradhapura city - 20 minutes Sigiriya (Lion's Rock) 1.5 hours Habarana (elephant safari) 1.5 hours Wilpattuwa National Park 45 minutes Mihintale temple 40 minutes 

Notes: Day 1 - Arrival Day 2 - Orientation / getting to know each other and the community Day 3 - Preparation of traditional food for the New Year celebration Day 4 - New Year celebration activities with traditional costumes Day 5 - Ancient City and temple visit Day 6 - 9 - Festival preparation (physical work & event organisation) Day 10 Festival Day 11 Departure Inspire Village wil be happy to provide accommodation free of charge after the camp if needed during your visits such as Sigiriya or Willpatthu national park

Organization Description: SCI Sri Lanka has been organising workcamps and peace-building activities since 1960 as the Sri Lankan branch of SCI international network. Our members are from every part of the island representing different religions and ethnic groups.