Wetland Craft in Sri Lanka

Are you seeking a way to lend a helping hand to women who are struggling to thrive independently?

Do you want to explore culturally rich and diverse Sri Lanka while volunteering to empower women?

Do you want to volunteer abroad on women's empowerment programs and create a positive change for marginalized women and children?

"Mostly women make handicrafts not with machinery but with their soft hands, which takes both time and skills to reach its final marketable point."

Women's Crafts in Sri Lanka

Overview

Traditional Handicrafts in Sri Lanka

The rural women who engage in traditional craftwork activities have the potential to support sustainable livelihoods and generate multiple benefits for society. Handicrafts can provide an excellent opportunity for disempowered people to use their existing skills to empower them and increase their self-esteem. In addition, growth in the craft industry can improve socio-economic conditions and income for women.

However, despite the potential for traditional handicrafts to support sustainable livelihoods, many women in Sri Lanka need help to access markets to sell their products. There is also a need for more support for women's traditional craft production, with limited access to training, capital, and technology. As a result, many women need help to develop their craft skills and are limited in their ability to increase their income and socio-economic status.

Efforts are being made to support women's traditional craft production in Sri Lanka by establishing craft centers and training programs. However, more support is needed to ensure that women can fully realize the potential of their craft skills and promote the sustainable development of Sri Lanka's traditional handicraft sector.

Bentota Craft Center.

The "Bentota Craft Center for Women's Empowerment" program provides opportunities for volunteers with artistic skills to support the development of eco-friendly ornamental products designed for everyday use by women in Sri Lanka. It is especially noteworthythat the "Bentota Craft" project is managed by a group of talented young women from the less privileged segments of society who have shown impressive creative and entrepreneurial spirits.

These women are creating their own opportunities by producing handicrafts to sell to foreigners at the nearby "Bentota Tourist Resort". This is a testament to their resilience and determination, despite facing challenges such as low education and marketing barriers.

The volunteer program can help these women build self-reliance and achieve long-term socio-economic empowerment by supporting business and marketing skills development. The support provided by the volunteers can have a positive impact not only on their livelihoods but also on their families and communities.

Roles and Responsibilities of Volunteers

Finding a suitable market is the most challenging task these women entrepreneurs face. But as Bentota Craft Center is located near a popular tourist resort, there are many opportunities for traditional handicraft makers to access a broader market.

'Nagenahiru Volunteers' are working to empower these women through training and skill development. International volunteers could contribute to this effort by sharing their knowledge, skills and energy in empowering these women entrepreneurs.

Volunteers are expected to initiate activities to address specific needs and challenges women face, such as marketing, access to technology, and product design. The 'Nagenahiru Foundation, Sri Lanka' is willing to cover all the required expenditures for proposed activities designed by volunteers to overcome the challenges faced by women in traditional handicraft production.

Proposed Actions to Promote the Marketing of Women’s Handicrafts

To develop a website and marketing promotion brochure and display posters at the Craft Center to attract more tourists to the Bentota Craft Center.

Discuss with Managers of nearby Tourist Hotels and brief them on the values and importance of this traditional craft.

Help women keep records of Income and Expenditure of the Craft Center and train a few identified young women in marketing their products.

To improve the members' English conversational skills to communicate with the tourists visiting the centre.

According to this project, volunteers can directly get involved to create and facilitate their skills. They can design marketing strategies, provide exposure to markets through training, and share experiences with visiting tourists. International Volunteers can contribute to and benefit the Sri Lankan economy and the women in this industry.

Skills, Qualifications, and Other Requirements

To join as a volunteer in the Craft Center, you should be 18+ years old. No special qualifications, skills or prior experiences are required.

All you need is an open mind, a flexible attitude and compassion to work with deprived women, with a passion for loving and caring for them.

In addition, your interest and ability to improve women's English conversation and Business skills will be an advantage as the target customers of the craft Center will be the Foreign tourists spending their vacation in the nearby Bentota Tourist Resort.

Why Should You Join Us?

International Volunteer HQ's trust women's empowerment programs allow volunteers to reduce social inequalities and help tackle women's rights issues by increasing access to education and vocational training opportunities for women.

As a volunteer with ''Negenahiru Volunteers,'' you will support, and build on, the movement to find solutions to empower women and girls by giving back to education-focused projects dedicated to women's empowerment in Sri Lanka. These women's rights volunteer opportunities strongly focus on education because of its potential to enable people to improve their lives.

Many women and girls in the communities we support face a wide range of social inequalities and often do not have the chance to complete their education or gain financial independence. Your volunteer work will contribute to the long-term goal of assisting social change and creating an inclusive society where women have equal opportunities.

Volunteer work includes empowering women through building confidence, developing financial independence, fostering entrepreneurship skills, and developing strong female leadership to create stronger and happier communities worldwide.

You can also expect to learn from a cross-cultural exchange, as you and your host community will be challenged to engage with different cultures, ideas and perspectives.

If you are passionate about increasing positive outcomes for women or looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity, the "Negenahiru Volunteers" women's rights and empowerment project will be a smart choice.

Your volunteer work with ‘Negenahiru volunteers’ will include all these opportunities:

• Engage actively in Women's Empowerment projects.
• Work for women's education, and vocational training, inculcating confidence through discussions and group interaction.
• Take special English classes and train women and local NGO staff as well.
• Undertake Focused Group Discussions with women and find out more about their lives and exchange experiences with them.
• Engage deeply with the local community.
• Experience local living.
• Work on weekdays and travel around the country, visiting Sinharaja forest reserve, Bundala National Park, Minneriya National Park, etc.
• Experience the country, which is fast becoming the ultimate travel destination.