Info

Coach football to poor children in Ja-Ela. These children play on dusty pitches w/ minimal equipment and no grass in sight, but they benefit hugely from your assistance & enthusiasm! A very satisfying placement.

Sri Lanka is an exotic island, famous for its 1,600 kilometres of unspoilt, golden beaches and diverse climate zones. It is a wondrous island, with flora and fauna to match - the proverbial paradise island!


PROJECT OVERVIEW

You can coach football at a number of different schools in the local community. The facilities are basic but the children are excited about playing football and being coached by our volunteers. The pitches in Sri Lanka are typically gravel and dirt pitches which makes the game of football very quick and exciting as it is played at a very different pace and style to European football.

The schools we help cater for the poorer and underprivileged children and have about 400 to 500 pupils ranging from 5 to 16 years old. 'Pitches' can be covered in dust instead of in grass, but that adds to the charm and cultural experience of coaching sports in Sri Lanka!

The way the schools run is very different to our Western way of doing things, which means that sports practice is not as organised as you would probably like, so you do have to have lots of initiative on this placement. However, the rewards are wonderful. You'll get a great deal of satisfaction from your efforts.


LOCATION

Our programme runs in Ja-Ela, midway between Colombo and the popular Indian Ocean resort of Negombo. Ja-Ela is a good point at which to start your exploration of the island's many beaches and beautiful inland resorts.


WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT
• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Latin America.
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

Our placements are very flexible and you can combine any of our projects to give you a broader experience of life on the inside in Sri Lanka.


WHAT TO DO NEXT

• Talk to us - We're there to help you. +44 (0) 1903 502595
• Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
• If you’d like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
• If you’d like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we’ll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
• It’s as easy as that.
Our users say...
"When we used to arrive at the school in the morning the children would literally mob us, it really was an amazing experience, so thank you very very much for the experience of a life time." Michael Ecclestone
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:
• MEDITATION COURSES at a Buddhist Retreat for a few days or as long as you choose. Relax and be inspired! This optional extra programme can be combined with any project in Sri Lanka.
• COOKERY COURSES (coming soon) that give you a good insight into how to prepare some typical Sri Lankan dishes.
• 1-WEEK ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE in the famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, n experience you’ll never forget!. You’ll stay in our Travellers house in Kegalle with other Travellers volunteers.
• SIGHTSEEING: As well as the above, all our volunteers use their weekends and free time to do a lot of travelling around the southern part of the island. There are many, many attractive tourist sights to see, ranging from glorious beaches to impressive temples. The towns and villages are fascinating and very different to what we're used to.
This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in Ja-Ela or Kegalle in Sri Lanka. A very popular combination that most of our volunteers do is to teach on one project and follow it with the Elephant Experience conservation in Wasgamuwa. This way you get two or three very different experiences in very different locations.

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £795 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.

Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Requirements

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.