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Workcamp Details

Poson Festival

This project is part of the SCI North South Programmes. Volunteers should be 20 years old, have previous volunteering experience and take part in the Preparation Workshops organised by their sending branch. More details from your sending branch.
Camp code:
LK-SCI 12.2
Country:
Sri Lanka
Start Date:
Jun 20, 2024
End Date:
Jun 30, 2024
Topic:
12: Art, culture and local history
Work Types:
Work with people with disabilities / Manual / Social
Number of volunteers:
10
Number of places still available:
10
Free places last update:
May 23, 2024
International age:
18 - 99
National age:
16 - 99
Extra fee to be paid in the hosting country:
150.00 Euro [156 US Dollar]
Breakdown:
  1. Accommodation and food: 80.00 Euro
  2. Transportation: 20.00 Euro
  3. Activities: 20.00 Euro
  4. Hosting organisation support: 30 Euro
Spoken Language:
English, French

Description: Poson Poya, also known as Poson Festival, is an important religious and cultural festival celebrated in Sri Lanka. It commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to the island by Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka of India, in the 3rd century BCE. Poson Poya typically falls in June, marking the full moon day of the month of Poson (June), according to the Buddhist lunar calendar.

Local people travel to Minintale, the place where Buddism was first introduced as a pilgrimage during this period.

Type of Work: During the festival season, many locals offer free food to the pilgrims and people volunteer in the food stalls for cooking food and destributing them. Volunteers will get engaged in such activities with local volunteers.

Study Theme: Buddhist culture

Accommodation: Volunteers will be staying at Inspire Village www.inspirevillage.net our hosting partner

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

Requirements: We need open-minded and patient persons who are aware that working with physically and mentally disabled people can be rough. A previous experience with this kind of public would also be appreciated.

Approximate Location: Anuradhapura is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka.

Notes: The camp participation fee is not required from local volunteers who just have to pay the 500 Rs SCI SL membership fee.

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.