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The Shack
//////. what is the 'shack'?
The 'shack' is short for ' paavima.org's eco-awareness, volunteer & dive center' and it's a very basic educational and activities space right on the beach, where people can come and see for themselves what the community of Madiha and paavima.org are trying to achieve.
//////. why?
Visitors who choose to get involved in any of the activities offered
at the 'shack' will contribute to the ecological awareness and idea
exchange with the community and help the paavima.org project
demonstrate the possible benefits brought about by an attitude that
tries to foster respect for the environment. Patrons, participants and
volunteers highlight the connection between caring for the environment
and the development of much needed revenue streams. The center is
locally managed and has established close relationships with the guest
houses in the area, as well as other tourism operations around the
south to promote a referral system of mutual benefit. At the shack,
visitors can meet members of the community and take advantage of fun
and inexpensive activities like the ones described below. All
donations are utilized for the direct benefit of the people of Madiha.
//////. what?
//////. Dive training:
Highly qualified dive instructors teach all classes, while the
villagers gain experience as divemaster candidates helping with the
classes taught. The class dues are some of the least expensive in the
world because the courses are all taught by volunteer instructors.
· PADI Open Water Course:
(this certification course will allow you to dive anywhere around the world)
4-5 day course. 4 ocean dives. Minimum donation: $185usd.
We can also teach:
· PADI discover scuba diving (short intro course to diving)
1-day course.
· PADI scuba review (ideal way to get back into diving after spending too long above water)
1-day course.
· PADI advanced open water
(this certification course broadens your experience and
improves your skill level, allowing you access to
more dive sites around the world)
4-5 day course. 5 ocean dives.
· CPR and Emergency First Response
3-day course.
· PADI rescue diver course
4-5 day course.
· PADI divemaster (this certification course is the first professional level within the PADI structure. you can work around the world having this c-card!)
5-9 weeks.
· PADI assistant instructor (this certification course gives you further credentials than the dm card. it's also a professional level course that allows you to work around the world)
1-3 weeks.
· PADI specialties. we are also able to teach up to 11 different specialties and provide customized dive training tailored to your specific needs.
//////. Boat dives:
- 1 tank dive: Minimum donation: $20usd with your own gear. With our gear, $25usd.
- You could of course, choose to do multiple dives on a single day.
//////. Other courses:
- Sri Lankan stilt fishing: it's much more sophisticated than you might think. And great fun.
· Half hour minimum donation: $8usd. One hour minimum donation $13usd. Participants get digital photos of their fishing experience emailed to them.
- Sri Lankan cooking course: learn the secrets behind a scrumptious Lankan curry dish. We'll teach you right on the beach and you'll be treated to a delicious lunch or supper of your own creation, watching the ocean and enjoying a very pleasant sea breeze.
•
Minimum donation: $10usd per person, vegetarian ingredients. $15usd per person, non-veg ingredients included. Participants get digital photos and recipes emailed to them.
- Sri Lankan music classes: Learn to play a Lankan percussion instrument right on the beach!
- Tours: Whether you want to see the jungle, crocs, elephants or the cultural triangle, we can arrange for you great Sri Lankan sites to see, places to stay and a car with driver to take you to them.
//////. where?
Our coolio & groovy eco-awareness & dive shack is located in Madiha, a very small town west of Polhena, in the district of Matara. It's about 45 minutes south from Unawatuna by bus.
//////. when?
Your presence is invigorating to the paavima.org's efforts and we'll do whatever possible to accommodate your schedule. The sooner you can let us know about your interests the sooner we can get you started.
//////. how?
Send us an email to info@paavima.org or for a more immediate response call us on our mobile at +94 779 686 281. You can also come visit us at the 'paavima.org's eco-awareness, volunteer & dive shack', right on the beach.
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