I have decided to spend 3 weeks over the summer volunteering at a sea turtle conservation sanctuary in Sri Lanka! Sea turtles in Sri Lanka are at risk at all stages of their lives, both from natural and human pressures. Sea turtles come onto the beach during the night to bury their eggs in the sand. After an hour or two the female will then return to the sea leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators.

With fishing being one of the major industries in the area, sea turtles are often found in commercial fishing nets. Here they can become injured or lose limbs and are then no longer able to survive in the wild. Along with illegal trafficking, loss of habitat and pollution there is also a growing demand for turtle meat, eggs and even their shells.

Injured and disabled turtles are brought to the sanctuary where they are able to get the rehabilitation and care they need. If possible, once they are strong enough they will get released back into the wild.

I will spend my time caring for the turtles including cleaning their shells, preparing their food and feeding them. Other duties I will carry out include:

- Maintaining the hatchery

- Releasing newly hatched babies into the sea

- Cleaning and refilling the tanks

- Cleaning the beaches

- Raising awareness and educating the locals and tourists on the importance of sea turtle conservation

As it is a volunteering project, I will not be paid for my work and will be paying for my accommodation and flight. I am therefore fundraising towards financing my trip and am very, very grateful for every penny I can raise towards such a worthy project.

I am passionate about supporting such an important project and cannot wait to get hands-on experience at this once in a lifetime opportunity to work so closely with these beautiful creatures. I look forward to making a positive impact on the future survival of sea turtles and am very grateful to each penny raised towards supporting me making this happen!