Pirivena is the traditional name of the t em ple school where young monks study. The teaching projects are conducted by a partner organization of Global Crossroad, a grassroots alliance that helps to develop self-reliance of the neediest monks of Sri Lanka .

The daily life of a Buddhist monk is far r em oved from the experiences of most who live in technologically advanced areas. This project allows volunteers to be part of a centuries-old culture that has captivated the Western imagination. T he t em ple schools in Sri Lanka needs more volunteers to teach English to aspiring monks as the schools have minimal resources and are greatly understaffed.

Role of a Volunteer

In this unique project, volunteers primarily teach monks ranging in age from 8 to 21. Depending on the need, volunteers may be asked to assist in other of the school's extra curricular activities such as sports, arts, music, etc. Teaching English to young monks will give you an amazing opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating and reverent Buddhist culture, as well as its teachings and its philosophies. Former volunteers always report this project to be one of their most m em orable and engaging experiences.

Skills/Qualifications Requirements

There are no specific qualifications for teaching volunteers in Sri Lanka other than fluency in English. If you have prior experience in teaching English is helpful. However, if you are not entirely confident in your teaching abilities, Global Crossroad can place you as an assistant teacher.

Room/Food/Supervision

Global Crossroad manages room/food for volunteers. Volunteers live with the host family/ hostel/t em ple where we manage a separate room and local meals three (3) times a day. Sometimes the food is arranged through self catering.

Volunteers will also have 24/7 access to our office in Sri Lanka as well as the mobile numbers of our coordinators. Our staffs also visit volunteers in 1-2 week intervals as a part of the program.

Location Descriptions

Our Orphanage projects are located in a small beautiful town of Galle , approximately 116km away from Colombo . Galle is one of the most popular tourist areas of Sri lanka . Galle enjoys a nice coast line and a wide variety of scenarios, from beaches to marsh lands to dry planes to hills. There are many prominent landmarks in Galle standing as one of the best examples of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and southeast Asia – a fusion of European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and it still r em ains the largest fortress in Asia built by European invaders.

During their free time, volunteers can explore the beautiful beaches of Sri lanka or visit various Buddhist and Hindu t em ples, as well as mosques, churches, parks, zoos, national parks, museums and art galleries. There are also many beautiful villages on the north side of Galle where volunteers can explore Sri Lankan villages. Volunteers will have access to internet cafés in Galle . Many restaurants in Galle areas also serve western food.