Volunteer Project Information

A standard volunteer placement is generally for a period of 3 months however placements can run for anywhere between 1 and 6 months and all requests will be considered. 

The MEF project incorporates four different aspects and volunteers are encouraged to get involved in as many different aspects of the project as is of interest to them; however you may wish to take a special focus for your placement and concentrate primarily on one element of the Foundation's work. It is important to remember that all elements of the MEF volunteer project are inter-related in working towards achieving the overall objectives of the Foundation and of the MEF Volunteer Project and as such volunteers should also expect to get involved in different project elements as required.

Upon arrival at the MEF volunteers will be allocated an elephant (unless you request otherwise) with which you will work each day for the duration of your placement, along with the elephant's mahout tending to its daily care and treatment.

In addition to this you will be involved in some if not all aspects/programs of the MEF volunteer project which include the following:

Millennium Elephant Foundation Charity Work
The Millennium Elephant Foundation is a charity, thus the input of its volunteers is extremely important for the daily running of the Foundation. Each volunteer has special interests as well as skills and we encourage them to explore their strengths. On arrival each volunteer brings with them a fresh influx of ideas, which are important to us. 

There are three main administrative areas of focus for the MEF volunteer program: these include fundraising, increasing awareness of the MEF's goals and objectives and public relations. In furthering the charity's objectives volunteers will be involved, amongst other things, in promotional work including letter writing campaigns to organisations such as zoos and identified companies for support, maintaining membership records, preparing the quarterly newsletter and the upkeep of this website.

The MEF volunteer office 
Volunteers are vital in terms of the public relations component of the charity's work, as this often presents a challenge for the MEF's own Sri Lankan staff are sometimes challenged by language and technical skill application. Hence the role that volunteers play in the up keep of public awareness, fund raising and encouraging more tourists to visit the MEF is fundamental to the ongoing work of the Charity. 

It is also expected that, with the assistance of other volunteers and MEF staff that volunteers will initiate their own projects to raise funds and promote the MEF. 

Teaching English
Whilst many Sri Lankans can speak English in the local towns, in the more remote villages English is not as widely spoken. For Sri Lankans most low-income groups cannot afford to pay for special tuition and the ability to speak English greatly affects the chances of getting a good job in Sri Lanka. 

As a volunteer your contribution to MEF's teaching English program could be life changing for the villagers you will teach. At present the English Teaching program caters primarily to adults and children primarily from the local village of Randeniya and classes are held at local schools and at MEF. You will teach classes of mixed abilities, and ages ranging from young orphans, to school children, school leavers and adults. You will be responsible for preparing lesson plans and marking your student's work. The teaching English program is one of the MEF's most rewarding programs and offers volunteers maximum interaction with the local community. Whilst teaching qualifications and/or experience may be helpful this is not essential. All you need be is enthusiastic and motivated to interact with your students.

Part of your work will also involve pursuing sponsorship for your students in the acquisition of books and writing utensils which are often too expensive for many of the villagers. When you are not teaching you will be invited to participate in other MEF activities and may have the opportunity to participate in some elephant work.

Ecological Farming
This element of the MEF project aims to develop an environmentally friendly farm on-site and to discourage the use of chemicals in favour of organic fertilisers. It is envisaged that once fully developed the eco-farm will be entirely self-sustainable and will produce medicinal herbs and vitamin rich plants to supplement the elephants' diet, as well as vegetables for human consumption which will be sold at a local market and to the restaurant where you as a volunteer will eat your daily meals. Working alongside a local agricultural instructor you as a volunteer will learn Sri Lankan methods of farming and will look into how ecological farming can benefit and improve the local community.

Volunteers must not be afraid to get their hands dirty and it is important that you understand that this program involves a lot of manual labor.

Indeed, when you are working on the farm you will be responsible for maintaining and cultivating the existing vegetation, which includes fruit and vegetables, medicinal herbs and elephant fodder, as well as clearing land for the farm's expansion which is to include a new nursery. Whilst at times farming can be physically challenging the reward is in seeing your efforts grow, mature and harvested. There is much scope for development and input of new ideas in this program. Indeed, with the special dietary requirements of some of MEF's elder elephants we are always exploring new ways of growing fodder to meet our elephants' needs. 

Mobile Veterinary Unit
The MEF operates its own Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU), which travels around Sri Lanka providing routine check-ups and emergency treatment to any wild or domestic ill or injured elephant in need. As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to travel with the MVU and the MEF's attending veterinarian doctor who is based at a local university. Volunteers must appreciate that there is not a need for the MVU to operate everyday, as for it to do so at least one elephant would have to be sick every day? an obviously undesirable situation!

When not out with the MVU you as a volunteer will actively work with our in-house vet attending to the daily care and treatment of the elderly and disabled elephants housed at the Foundation including the maintenance of vital records of their treatment. You will also be involved in fundraising activities for the further acquisition of veterinary equipment and medicine, this may including initiating and/or working on previous veterinary focused volunteer projects to improve the MVU's resource base and to encourage the improved care and treatment of domestic and disabled elephants worldwide.

Whilst no qualifications are necessary this element of the project is well suited to people either studying or intending to study in the fields of veterinary science, wild life management, zoology or related areas. It is ideal for self-directed work, for thesis or post grad studies.

Volunteering Overview

International volunteers play an important role at the Millennium Elephant Foundation contributing to the daily running of the charity. We welcome volunteers from all over the world, with all kinds of skills and interests. Through the different elements of the MEF volunteer project, volunteers have a unique experience to gain grass root entry into the local community and work with the local people in improving education and promoting the important work of the Foundation in improved elephant care and conservation.

Volunteers must be able to work independently within the guidelines of the project. Patience and perseverance are essential, although above all enthusiasm and a willingness to accept another culture will mean you get the most from your volunteering experience. After all, what you put into the project will be what you get in return. Each volunteer brings different ideas and skills to the MEF that can make a real impact towards furthering the initiatives of our charity. In addition to which you will have the benefit of knowing that the proceeds from your placement fee go toward the implementation of the volunteer project and the daily care and treatment of our elephants; thus helping the local community and of course the elephants.

As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to experience and immerse yourself in a different culture, as well as a way of thought which will make you learn more about yourself. Undoubtedly you will face the day-to-day frustrations and challenges that are Sri Lanka; seemingly endless power failures, bus journeys likened to being a sardine in a tin, unimaginable insects and a new perception of deadliness! But overall you'll be greeted by the warm Sri Lankan smile and hospitality, and struck by the sheer beauty of your surroundings. You will have at least two days off a week depending on your workload, giving you ample opportunity to explore Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage.

There are two on-site bungalows provided for the volunteers which together accommodate up to about 20 people with western bathroom facilities, kitchenette and living area. The bungalows are surrounded by palm trees and overlook paddy fields. Clean linen and towels are provided. Three meals a day are provided by Club Concept Restaurant which is managed by the Samarasinghe family. Do not expect the range of food available in Colombo, however the food will be fresh and nutritious and wherever possible special dietary requirements will be accommodated.

Travel
Whilst volunteering at MEF there are many opportunities for travel on your time off and you no doubt will be eager to see as much of Sri Lanka as possible. Given that days off can be precious and travel times around the island lengthy and tiring if relying on the public transport system, MEF offers a travel facility for volunteers (and their family an friends should they choose to visit during your placement). A van and driver can be booked at "volunteer" prices.