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Enjoy being in the outdoors in a stunningly beautiful location while helping children learn?!This is a true Sri Lankan Experience where you'll do worthwhile, rewarding work and make a real difference in the community.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

You'll help the poorer children in the local community which is based in a stunningly beautiful location. Our teaching programme takes place a 10 minute drive from Wasgamuwa National Park. This placement is ideal if you enjoy wildlife and the outdoors - there is plenty to keep you occupied in this beautiful region. The surrounding jungles and villages can be explored easily by foot or bike and trips to other parks in the region can be arranged.

You must be open to experiencing the fun side of giving up creature comforts, going back to basics and living as the villagers do. In return you will become part of the village and have the opportunity to make a really valuable contribution to the lives of the people there.

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, which means you should 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'll probably teach from about 9 - 11am and again at 3:30 - 5:30 pm, 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! Sometimes the more able students - those in their early 20’s - will come to the house after dinner in the evening to learn more in a more informal setting. Some of your lessons can also take place outside! There are roughly 125 students spread across four different classes each week that you will teach. You will have your weekends free for travelling and sightseeing.

The English lessons that you'll take usually include a heavy environmental component. For example, you'll take your students on field trips to watch birds and here you may be asked to teach the basics of bird identification, ecology, behaviour and conservation within the context of each English lesson. This way you can include other natural history subjects such butterflies, reptiles, plants and flowers, natural history in general and anything about elephants!


LOCATION

You'll live in a remote village called Pusseleya on the outskirts of the Wasgamuwa National Park, located around 7 hours east of Colombo. The community that you will become a part of is mostly dependant on paddy farming for its livelihood and as such the way of life here is very simple.

The location is breathtaking with incredible scenery and wildlife set in the remote hinterland of the island. The National Park of Wasgamuwa is a dedicated area of conservation, a stunning expanse of grasslands and hills. The locals insist that it is the most beautiful place in Sri Lanka.


ACCOMMODATION

The Wasgamuwa house is very basic. The makeup of the house is the first thing you notice. It is a house made of entirely eco-friendly material, due to the fact that it was built by a team of conscientious conversationalists - the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS). This is quite a surprise the first time you see it however! The walls are made of wooden slats and hardened mud and the roof is formed of iron sheets. The floor is concrete. You really do feel like you are in the wilderness! The house is very open to the outdoors.


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 one in Wasgamuwa combined with the Elephant Experience or teaching in Ja-Ela where we have an enormous and very beautiful volunteer house. This way you get two or three very different experiences in very different locations.


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...

"Everything has been unforgettable!! We’d recommend this placement to anyone willing to enjoy their world and bike ride a lot! Do not be tempted to spend too much time in the comfy chairs! Get out there!! Talk to the kids (sign language is always good!), jump off bridges into lakes, celebrate the many festivals and generally enjoy Pusselayaya] and the surrounding area (esp. Willies!).

"It is possible to completely immerse yourself in the culture of Sri Lanka in this peaceful village, but only if you go for it!!"

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.