Sri Lanka Volunteering Program

SriLanka Volunteering Program

Why a Volunteer Program?

Volunteering is a beautiful way to travel with numerous benefits that are being enjoyed by tens of thousands of people from all over the world each year.

if you are looking to have fun, make a difference and do it safely then you can look forward to making a volunteering trip for the following reasons:

Experience the real culture of your destination – unmatchable by any other type of travel.
Make a difference to a community or environmental project.
Travel safely in a well-organised packaged program
Pay fair prices for trips that offer a lot of great experiences.
Visit famous highlights and nature reserves or have soft adventures.
Be a proud, 21st -century global citizen, travelling responsibly.

Why Sri Lanka ?

Reasons Sri Lanka Should Be Your Next Trip

Sri Lanka is an island country, sharing maritime borders with the South of India. It features diverse environments; you can find everything from sparkling beaches to jungles for ad- venturous trekking. If you're more interested in culture, it features ancient Buddhist ruins. It has recently come through a 20 year long civil war that ended in 2009. Now, the country has recovered and is welcoming tourists with gorgeous luxury hotels. Here a few reasons why Sri Lanka is worth booking a trip to.

If tea time is your favourite part of the day, this is a must visit. The Hill Country of Sri Lanka is blanketed with tea trails in every direction. If you stay with Ceylon Tea Trails, you can choose one of their bungalows for a luxurious travel experience. They are connected by walking trails through the peaceful tea gardens. This area expands for 2000 square kilometres and, it produces 300 million kilos of Ceylon Tea a year. If you wake up early one morning, you can climb the famous Adam's peak. At 2250 meters it's a hike to prep for, but it is entirely worth it for the sunrise you'll catch on top.

Your everyday beach isn’t framed by orchards, rice paddies and tea plantations, but this is what you’ll find in Sri Lanka. If you are seeking paradise, stay near Galle for golden sands that shine during sunset. And, if you are passionate about surfing, this is the place to visit. Arugam Bay is located on the east coast and produces the best surf from April to October. If you want the ultimate experience, you can try Soul and Surf for a combination of surfing, yoga, and soothing massages after a long day at sea. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can even find white water rafting opportunities.

Wildlife seekers should head to Yala West National park which offers light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons. Not to mention, you can spot leopards on a trip to Yala. If you are looking for elephants, you can check out Uda Walawe National park, only 4 hours away from the capital and tea trails. This park focuses on what's best for flora and fauna and strives to help the surrounding community. For the ocean lovers, you can dive with blue whales- they reach 18 meters in length.

If you don’t want to worry about lugging around an umbrella or becoming overheated, Sri Lanka’s weather will meet your needs. The dry heat on the beaches is relieved by the ocean breeze, and you can also take a break in Hill Country where the wind blows all day to cool the earth. Just make sure you travel in season! In the Southwest, it’s best to visit from December to March. If you venture to the Northern or Eastern parts, the dry season is between May and September.

Sri Lanka uses spices, seafood and lots of local food to create unique dishes that you'll want to make at home. While it has influences from other countries, especially India, it has kept its own flavour in the dishes, and the food continues to evolve. Their recipes pop with flavour, spice and they love snacking. Not to mention, when you feel like indulging, you can always depend on finding some deep-fried foods. While it’s not the first destination on the map, Sri Lanka has much to offer. It’s a beautiful country with diverse activities and remarkable scenery.

5 Easy Steps to Choosing Your Program.

Step 1 – Select the country you want to travel to.

Decide which country you want to enjoy and contribute to.

Step 2 – Decide program duration and project you will participate in.

The duration of your program depends on how much time you want this trip to last and what kind of project you can do. Shorter durations ( 2 weeks or less) will let you work on projects where building emotional connections with people is not required. These include building, renovation or working with animals. More extensive programs ( 3 weeks or more) allow for a more profound contribution to a community as well as works out cheaper in terms of cost-per-day. The projects here could include working with children, orphans, women empowerment, teaching monks or teaching in a school.

Step 3 – Select a program suitable as per your budget.

Look at how much money you have spare for this program. Are you short on funds and would organise some things such as additional trips on your own or do you prefer to have everything arranged already and just enjoy your time?

Step 4 – decide the kind of project that you want to be engaging during volunteering.

Taking a clue from step 2 above, now decide what kind of project are you eligible to participate in and then select one from those.

Step 5 – Apply for the program

Pay your fee and go through all the preparation information to ensure that you make most of your trip, for yourself and for the project you are going to help.

Sri Lanka Volunteer Program Practical Details

Here is a sample of a 4-week volunteer program. If you want to travel for shorter or longer durations, then let us know and will give you a plan for that. Based on your budget, you can do this program in 2 forms, “Volunteering Only Program” or “Volunteer and Travel Program”.

Volunteer only Program

Volunteer and Travel Program

Day 1, Mon

Arrival at Bandaranaike International airport and transfer to accommodation settle down

Day 2, Tues

Welcome meeting and orientation start. Orientation includes talks & presentations on: • Sri Lanka & its culture • Social development and the role of volunteers • How to do volunteer work • Project activities • Cultural responsibility • Personal safety & Code of Conducts • Introduction to the allotted project. • Sinhala Lessons and visit to the local market.

Day 3, Wed

Volunteering project work starts with the daily schedule of volunteering, cultural activities and free time. Afternoon Sinhala language lesson.

Day 4, Thurs

Volunteering project continues. Afternoon Sinhalalanguage lesson.

Day 5, Fri

Volunteering project in the morning and Afternoon Sinhalalanguage lesson.

Day 6, Sat

Free Weekend.

Transfer to Kandy (1 h 58 min (116.7 km) Sightseeing tour of Kandy - Temple of Tooth, Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, Gem Museum Night Stay at Hotel

Day 7, Sun

Free Weekend.

Return from Kandy Excursion and free time.

Day 8, Mon

Volunteering project continues. Afternoon local cooking demonstration.

Day 9, Tues

Volunteering in the morning. Local family dinner: Visit a local familyin the evening for learning about day to day life in Sri Lanka and have a meal withthem.

Volunteering in the morning. Local family dinner : Visit a local family in the evening for learning about day to day life in Sri Lanka and have a meal withthem

Day 10, Web

Volunteering during the day and free Time.

Day 11, Thurs

Volunteering during the day and free Time.

Day 12, Fri

Continue volunteering in the morning and afternoon to explore the local area on your own.

Day 13, Sat

Free Weekend.

Visit the Udawalawe National park for safaris in the Reserve.

Day 14, Sun

Free Weekend.

Morning at Udawalawe National Park and evening return to Colombo.

Day 15, Mon

Continue the volunteering project. (Departure for 2-week program participants).

Day 16-19, Tues-Fri

Continue volunteering project.

Day 20, Sat

Free Weekend

Depart for Anuradhapura excursion. Visits during the day, overnight at Anuradhapura.

Day 21, Sun

Free Weekend

Morning visit to Kuttam Pokuna and Mihinthaya. Afternoon return to Colombo

Day 22, Mon

Continue volunteering project. (Departure for 3-week program participants)

Day 23-26, Tues-Fri

Continue Volunteering project

Day 27, Sat

Free Weekend.

Transfer to Hikkaduwa beach for relaxing.

Day 28, Sun

Free Weekend.

Late afternoon, return to Colombo from the relaxing beach break.

Day 29, Mon

Departure transfer to Bandaranayke airport for journey back home.

Sri Lanka Volunteer Program

Duration : 30 Days

Country : Sri Lanka

Day 1, Monday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Arrival at Bandaranaike International airport and transfer to accommodation settle down
Day 2, Tuesday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Welcome meeting and orientation start. Orientation includes talks & presentations on: • Sri Lanka & its culture • Social development and the role of volunteers • How to do volunteer work • Project activities • Cultural responsibility • Personal safety & Code of Conducts • Introduction to the allotted project. • Sinhala Lessons and visit to the local market.
Day 3 , Wednesday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Volunteering project work starts with the daily schedule of volunteering, cultural activities and free time. Afternoon Sinhalalanguage lesson.
Day 4, Thursday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Volunteering project continues. Afternoon Sinhalalanguage lesson.
Day 5, Friday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)

Volunteering project in the morning and Afternoon Sinhalalanguage lesson.
- Day 6, Saturday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Transfer to Kandy (1 h 58 min (116.7km) Sightseeing tour of Kandy - Temple of Tooth, Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, Gem Museum Night Stay at Hotel (Travel Program)
- Day 7, Sunday
  
  Free Weekend.(Volunteer only Program)
  
  Return from Kandy Excursion and free time.(Travel Program)
- Day 8, Monday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering project continues. Afternoon local cooking demonstration.
- Day 9 , Tuesday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering in the morning. Local family dinner: Visit a local familyin the evening for learning about day to day life in Sri Lanka and have a meal withthem.
- Day 10, Wednesday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering during the day and free time.
- Day 11, Thursday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Volunteering during the day and free time.
- Day 12, Friday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue volunteering in the morning and afternoon to explore the local area on your own.
- Day 13, Saturday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Visit the Udawalawe National park for safaris in the Reserve. (Travel Program)
- Day 14, Sunday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Morning at Udawalawe National Park and evening return to Colombo.(Travel Program)
- Day 15, Monday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue the volunteering project. (a departure for 2-week program participants).
- Day 16 - Day19, Tuesday to Friday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue volunteering project.
- Day 20, Saturday
  
  Continue volunteering project. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Depart for Anuradhapura excursion. Visits during the day, overnight at Anuradhapura. (Travel Program)
- Day 21, Sunday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Morning visit to Kuttam Pokuna and Mihinthaya. Afternoon return to Colombo. (Travel Program)
- Day 22, Monday , (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue volunteering project.(Departure for 3-week program participants)
- Day 23 - Day 26, Tuesday to Friday, (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Continue Volunteering project.
- Day 27, Saturday
  
  Free Weekend. (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Transfer to Hikkaduwa beach for relaxing. (Travel Program)
- Day 28 , Sunday
  
  Free Weekend (Volunteer only Program)
  
  Late afternoon, return to Colombo from the relaxing beach break. (Travel Program)
- Day 29, Monday (Volunteer and Travel Program)
  
  Departure transfer to Bandaranayke airport for journey back home.

*Participants can choose to travel on weekends by purchasing excursions additionally.

Included Services:

Accommodation on sharing occupancy basis for the program duration selected.
Airport pickup on arrival#
Drop off at the airport at the end of the program
Daily return transfers between accommodation and volunteer project
All required transfers for cultural workshops and excursions (as included in the program)
Breakfast, lunch and dinner of local cuisine from the time of arrival till departure during the volunteering days and free weekends+
Activities for experiencing local culture in addition to the volunteering and optional weekend trips include
Cooking workshop to observe and learn Thai cuisine and try your hands at it yourself.
Visit the home of a local, English-speaking middle-income level family to experience their day to day life, its challenges and opportunities. Have a meal with the family for a truly authentic experience.
Learn the Thai language for fun, use during trips and volunteer work

A pre-selected and organised volunteer project based on your selection and availability including
Project introduction to get you settled at the project.
Handover session so you may continue the work from where it was left by previous volunteers.
Daily work planning to plan the next day.
Daily accompanying sta to help with translation, organising and general support.
The material used for volunteering such as pens, papers, workbooks, paint, colours or others.

Services not Included:

Any personal expenses such as tips, laundry and drinks.
Any extra meals (other than those specifically mentioned).
Personal Travel Insurance, visa etc.
Camera fees (both still and video).
International flight ticket or other flight tickets, unless otherwise mentioned.
Donation to your volunteering project is not included in this program fee and may be taken upon an individual capacity.

A thorough orientation upon arrival including various topics of local culture, personal well-being and appropriate behaviour.
Additional services for participants on the Travel and Volunteer option -
1 night, 2 day Excursions++ to
One night and two days Chiang Rai trip.
Lampang and Doi Suthep
3 night, 4 day trip to
Ayutthaya and Erawan
Krabi and Phi Phi Islands.

Services included during trips

Refer to arrival and departure procedure to know pickup window times and departure schedules. + Meal plan during any trips during weekends may be different. ++ Please refer to detailed information about excursions for all details.

Typical Daily Schedule

Monday – Saturday
While the schedule of the day depends on the project, overall, it looks a bit like the following:

Activities Time
Breakfast at accommodation 7:00 - 8:00
Project volunteering work 8:00 - 13:00
Lunch 13:30 - 14:30
Cultural workshops- as per program schedule 15:00 - 16:00
Preparation meeting/lesson planning for the next day 16:00 - 17:00
Tea/coffee at the accommodation 17:00 - 17:30
Dinner at accommodation 19:00 - 20:00

Lunch may be offered a packed lunch or lunch at the project depending on different factors such as distance from accommodation and others. *The scheduled time table mentioned above may change due to the need of the project or any other circumstances.

Available Volunteering projects in Sri Lanka

There are several local projects which have requested volunteers to help them improv their work. Broadly, the type of activities available are

Teaching at schools for underprivileged children.

Women empowerment program

Educating Buddhist Monks

Turtle conservation work

The turtle conservation project can be done for durations as short as a week and is organised differently. If you are interested in this project, then ask us for more details.

Child Care at kindergartens or for pre-school children.

Weekend Excursions

These trips are packed full of beautiful sights, joyous fun and exhilarating adventure.

Arrival and Departure Procedure

Arriving into and departing from an unfamiliar country can cause stress. Especially if you are visiting the country for the first time. Read these instructions carefully and have them be known to your travel agent because at any scheduled start date we are picking up people arriving from all parts of the world to join the program.

Once we have you on the program, you can just relax because we will pick you up, no matter what time of the day it is. You will also have multiple phone numbers to reach out to, in case your flight is delayed, or you miss the connection altogether. Once you provide us with your flight details, we have you covered. Important: please carefully note the detailed itinerary to know the arrival and departure airport for your trip and plan your flights accordingly

Arrival Procedure

Please arrive by flights that have their scheduled arrival time from 10 AM on the start date of the program until 6 AM on the following day (Day 2) of the program. If the flight is delayed inside a reasonable time, then we will wait for you else call us, and we will come to pick you up.

Arrival pickups or flights with their scheduled arrival time outside of these hours will be charged extra.

Check in at accommodation is available from 12 noon on Day 1 of the program, even though, we attempt to have you checked in at the accommodation, as early as possible.

Please exit from departure gate and wait outside of exit gate at Jaipur International airport.

Please be advised that you will see a board with the Idex logo instead of your personal name when searching for our airport pickup representative.

Departure procedure

Airport transfer on departure is available from 8 PM on the 2nd last day of the program (for ex, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 in case of 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 week programs respectively) until 10 AM on the last day of the program (for ex, Day 15, Day 22, Day 29 in case of 2 week, 3 week or 4 week programs respectively).

Departure transfer will be available at gaps of 2 hours, and you will be asked to take the most convenient transfer based on your flight's departure time.

Departure transfers outside these times or schedules are available on extra charges.

During departure, check out time from the accommodation is 12 noon on the last day of the pro- gram (for ex, Day 15 on a 2-week program).

Important:

all the program and services are available as per schedule only. If any deviation or reschedule occurs, and such would cost extra to organise, then it will be charged extra. We are not able to do any settlement or reimbursement against any unused services.

Get Your Free Volunteer & Travel Guide

Just tell us where to send the link...

Start your Trip