Info

Amazing opportunity to make a real difference and help teach poor children in Sri Lanka. These children love having the attention and enthusiasm from volunteers who come right into their local schools to teach and play!!

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! Sri Lankans are very friendly, hospitable and welcoming, if somewhat laidback and in no-rush mode to get things done!

Our largest teaching programme runs in JA-ELA, on the western side of Sri Lanka, midway between Colombo and the popular Indian Ocean resort of Negombo. You'll work with disadvantaged children and adults who benefit enormously from your help! Our volunteers have helped to improve significant sections of the local community schools, enabling more children to have access to education. You can teach a range of subjects - anything that you have a reasonable knowledge in.


PROJECT OVERVIEW

You can teach in two very different locations in Sri Lanka, one in an urban community and the other in a stunning rural location:

1. Urban Ja-Ela:
Our largest teaching programme runs in Ja-Ela, midway between Colombo and the popular Indian Ocean resort of Negombo. Here you'll work in a number of schools in the local community where our volunteers have helped the local poor children for many years.

The schools we help cater for the poorer and underprivileged children. The schools have about 400 to 500 pupils aged 5 to 16 years old, with approx. 35 per class. Their English is generally poor and you'll generally help all age groups, from 6 to 18 years old.

2. Rural Wasgamuwa:
If you prefer to experience a more rural Sri Lanka, you'll really enjoy our programme in Wasgamuwa. You'll help the poorer children in the local community which is based in a stunningly beautiful location 10 minutes drive from Wasgamuwa National Park. This placement is ideal if you enjoy wildlife and the outdoors - there is plenty to keep you occupied, the surrounding jungles and villages can be explored easily by foot or bike and trips to other parks in the region can be arranged for you.

Our programme is to teach English to local people of all ages. Teaching takes place in village schools which are very basic and lacking in facilities. As this is a very poor area there is no electricity. You need to be flexible and adaptable with your teaching, much of which will be very hands-on. The teaching schedule, at present, takes place at two locations, the local school in the morning and the temple class in the afternoon. You will probably teach from about 9 - 11am and again at 3:30 - 5:30pm, so in total around 6 hours each day.

Teaching in Wasgamuwa is varied with ages ranging from about 8 - 40. Your students will be an eclectic collection - from school children to monks and park wardens! Theplan is to keep increasing radically outward, so that more villagers will benefit from your presence.


WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into the exotic island of Sri Lanka.
• 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
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
• 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 PARTICIPANTS SAY

"Like most others, I have fallen in love with Sri Lanka! Teaching and staying in the Ja-Ela house was really good. I went back there at the weekend and it was so nice to see everyone again; Roshan, the house boys and tuk tuk drivers are soo much fun."


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.