Located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Southern India, Sri Lanka is a true paradise with picturesque beaches, tropical jungles, enchanting waterfalls, magnificent hills, and stretches of tea plantation. The warm people of the island country will greet you with love, and make you feel at home in their land.
In this comprehensive guidebook, we have discussed everything that you need to know about your volunteer trip to Sri Lanka. Take a quick look before you plan your journey.
Now, that’s an interesting question. Volunteering in any Asian country has a charm of its own since their world is drastically different from that of the West. While a tourist only gets to see the country and visit the main attractions, a volunteer gets the chance of living with the locals, getting a taste of the authentic Sinhalese lifestyle, and also making some impact in the developing communities.
The people of Sri Lanka will make sure that your visit to their country is rewarding and memorable.
Being ruled by several European masters for ages, Sri Lanka has a mix of Dutch, Portuguese, and British influence in their culture and lifestyle. The infusion of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity is totally worth experiencing. The mix of cultures is reflected in the art and architecture, cuisines, music, and dances – and every bit of it will delight your senses.
The little island is blessed with beautiful landscapes, from lush green mountains to pristine beaches, tropical forests, and cascading waterfalls. You can explore the country during your volunteering journey, at an affordable cost.
Whether you join an animal volunteering project or not, you’ll surely have an encounter with the wildlife while in the country. Being in close proximity to them will help you feel the warmth and you’ll understand that even animals have strong emotions, like humans.
The journey to Sri Lanka will surely open your eyes, heart, and mind in new ways and give you an entirely new perspective to view the world. Your experience of integrating into the Sri Lankan community will take you on a journey of self-discovery, increase your self-confidence and foster a greater sense of appreciation for the small things in life.
Overall, the experience of volunteering in Sri Lanka would be an experience of a lifetime, that you’ll cherish forever.
There are no specifications – your enthusiasm, open-mindedness, passion, and sincerity will be enough for being a part of any of the projects.
However, there are certain prerequisites that one must keep in mind before planning for a volunteering tryst.
– The age of the interested candidate must be at least 18 years while applying for the project.
– Participants must be ready to work hard and be devoted to the project work.
– Every volunteer needs to have a positive approach towards the project.
– Since there are programs associated with children, volunteers should not have any past record of criminal activities.
– Interested participants should be in good mental and physical health.
– Participants should be sensitive towards the environment. While dealing with the animals, volunteers need to be patient and careful.
We always suggest our volunteers choose projects that are aligned with their areas of interest. If you love kids and enjoy spending time with them and want to contribute to their wellbeing, then you should volunteer for the Teaching Program. Animal lovers will enjoy being around elephants or turtles. With a variety of volunteering opportunities, let’s take a quick look at the programs that are available in Sri Lanka:
This program caters to medical and nursing participants of all levels and provides a comprehensive insight into the medical system of Sri Lanka with immense learning opportunities. From beginners who have an interest (but no experience) in the field to advanced 5th-year students looking for specific specializations, we have all the bases covered. There is also a greater need for future doctors and nurses to assist in the public sector as the sheer volume of patients they get is overwhelming and from lower socio-economic classes, where the need for support is greater.
Be a volunteer for the Elephant Conservation Program in Sri Lanka with Volunteering Solutions and live a life amidst nature’s lap! Volunteers will get the rare opportunity to work alongside local conservationists, educators, community partners and local villagers deep in the heart of the Sri Lankan wilderness. This is a true conservation project where wild elephants are not touched or interfered with at all as they are in their natural habitat.
This program is perfect for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. Those who will join this program will spend most of their time on the beaches, will have to look after the turtle eggs, and bury them in the sand in order to save the eggs from poachers. You’ll also have to patrol the beaches and occasionally clean them so that there’s no plastic waste or other materials that harm the turtle or the beach. The hatcheries have several injured turtles and you need to take utmost care of them, feed them, clean their shells, and refill the turtle tanks with seawater. You’ll get ample time to explore the place, know more about the sea turtles and their living from the people working at the conservation center, and travel to various other places during the weekends.
Get a chance to work with one of the most reputed organizations devoted to the well-being of stray dogs in southern Sri Lanka. There are hundreds of thousands of stray dogs in the country who suffer from hunger and untreated diseases, are beaten to death, and are extremely mistreated by humans due to lack of sensitivity. Most of these dogs live on the streets, and many are in an appalling state. Unsprayed females produce several litters of puppies every year, many of which are simply abandoned in front of temples or thrown in the drains, etc. Being a volunteer for this program, you’ll get the opportunity to hands-on work with dogs that needs attention and care, while collaborating with a highly efficient team.
Like most developing nations, illiteracy is still a prevalent social problem in Sri Lanka. While there are several private schools in urban areas providing standard education, public schools lack adequate resources and facilities. Volunteering Solutions, in association with local organizations, aims to improve the standard of education in public (or government) schools, providing free education to children, and is therefore in greater demand, especially for parents from poorer rural communities who lack the resources to put their children in private schools. Apart from teaching English, you can also focus on other subjects like Maths, General Knowledge as well as co-curricular activities. And above all, shower the kids with the utmost love and care, and be a ‘friend-philosopher-guide’ for them!
If you have very limited time with you for making a difference in Sri Lanka, then VolSol offers you a 1-week special volunteer program. During this one week, you opt to teach children or monks, teach English/computer to underprivileged women and animal lovers can choose turtle conservation or elephant/dog care project.
As the name suggests, the Women Empowerment Project essentially focuses on the upliftment of women in the social strata, by providing them proper education as well as helping them to find a career in which they can earn for their basic livelihood and have a shared future for themselves. Volunteers will get to work for women’s education, vocational training, inculcating confidence through discussions and group interactions, etc. The Women Empowerment project is offered in the city of Galle.
Volunteering Solutions is famous for providing affordable yet exciting projects and we make sure that the money you spend is utilized in the best possible manner. The program fee starts at $390 for one week and goes up to $ 1000 for four weeks. The costs change from one project to another and volunteers are advised to check the updated cost here. In addition to the program fee, an application cost of $ 250 has to be paid. This cost includes your airport pick-up, accommodation, food (as mentioned in the project itinerary), orientation, and 24/7 in-country guidance. A certain amount of the fees is also given for the project development.
Living costs in Sri Lanka are not too high as it is a developing South Asian country and volunteers can get by in $50 – $80 per week depending on their expenditure habits.
Travel and Medical Insurance is also mandatory for all volunteers and can be sourced from VolSol at a reasonable cost.
Volunteering Solutions takes utmost care of the volunteers and aims to provide maximum comfort. However, you should remember that you are on a volunteer trip and shouldn’t expect the luxuries of home.
In Sri Lanka, participants reside at the volunteer house. Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighborhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The volunteer house has 11 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Most of these rooms have ocean views! There’s a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.
The accommodation offered to volunteers working at Wasgamuwa National Park is basic with dorm-style beds (with mosquito netting) and shared bathrooms. Rooms will be allotted on a same-gender sharing basis. It’s big enough to accommodate up to 40 people at the same time, where you will stay is very spacious with a high roof, which helps to cool the property as gentle breezes blow along from the neighboring lake.
You’ll have to pay for your traveling and weekend tours during your stay in the country. The excursions are not included in the program, however, our in-country coordinator will assist you in planning and executing your trips.
Apart from that, you’ll have to pay for your daily transport and the meals that aren’t included in the program itinerary. Food in Sri Lanka isn’t very expensive, and you can try the beachside shacks to savor the tastes of seafood cooked in the amazing blend of spices. A decent meal for two, with beer, would come for approx. $ 20 – $ 30.
The official currency of Sri Lanka is LKR (Sri Lankan Rupee).
1 USD = 198 LKR
1 EURO = 200 LKR
1 POUND = 225.06 LKR
(These numbers are calculated approximately, and may vary. Please check the current conversion rate.)
While you are traveling to any foreign country, it is important to stay flexible and accepting of local cultural norms so as to not leave a negative travel footprint. Here are a few DOs and DON’Ts which you must follow, in order to avoid any sort of unnecessary conflicts or trouble.
– Show courtesy and respect to the clergymen, no matter to which religious sect they belong to. If a Buddhist Monk boards the bus in which you are traveling, do offer your seat to him – not only will you get blessings, but this gesture will be highly appreciated.
– Try to learn the Sinhalese language. Of course, while volunteering, you’ll get ample scope to interact with the locals and it won’t be a hard task to pick up the basics. Knowing a little bit of the language will help you steer through the difficult times.
– Savor the tastes of the local cuisine, especially rice and curry, which is the staple diet of the people. It’s overloaded with spices, and will definitely leave you craving for more! You can also try your hands at cooking the curry under a local’s supervision.
– Buy a local SIM card, as you’ll need it the most. 3G connection is available almost everywhere, and you can make cheap calls with a local SIM card.
– Use the local mode of transport as much as possible, especially the tuk-tuks. These three-wheeled vehicles are found in abundance and they are the cheapest mode of transportation.
– If you are a photographer and want to capture the beautiful landscapes of Sri Lanka along with candid shots of the people, then you should take a train ride through the countryside. It’s definitely going to be one of the best things to try there.
– Do try the tea. Visit the local markets and know about the spices. Show interest in cricket, and if there’s a match during your stay, make sure to watch it. These are the things that are loved by Sinhalese folks, and they’d absolutely love you if they find that you are interested in matters of national pride.
– Dress properly. The people of the country are conservative, and that’s the reason why you should dress modestly and keep yourself covered properly. Sleeveless clothes and anything above the knee-length wouldn’t be appreciated much.
– Don’t tease the elephants if you find them crossing the road. You’ll find elephants in abundance and be sure of the fact that the Sri Lankans consider them to be holy animals. Never try to ride them as well.
– Don’t take photographs of the soldiers or any government building without asking for permission. Sri Lanka had a war-torn past, and although the war is over, the soldiers and the government employees are yet to come out of the trauma.
– Do not move out alone at night. If you have to go anywhere, then tell your teammates and seek permission from your local coordinator.
– Never eat using your left hand.
– Don’t encourage beggars or touts – of course, you’ll come across many, and should know how to dodge them!
– Don’t forget to leave tips after a meal at any restaurant.
– While conversing with a native, don’t take offense if he/she asks you about personal matters or comments about religious/political matters.
Volunteering in a developing country can lead to culture shock as they are immensely different from that of the Western world in all aspects, starting from their lifestyle to religion, thought process, and preferences. Therefore, it’s suggested that you follow the natives while serving their country.
Your trip to Sri Lanka won’t just be for volunteer work, you’ll have ample time and opportunity to explore the country and visit its beautiful destinations. You’ll have the weekday evenings free to explore the nearby places, and on weekends, you can plan trips. Wherever you go, seek proper guidance from the country coordinator before leaving. Volunteers can also contact the VolSol travel desk beforehand to plan weekend travel excursions.
Here are the things that you shouldn’t miss while in the country:
Kandy is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka, set atop a plateau and surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides. The stretches of tea plantations and the rainforests all around will definitely soothe your senses and give you a fresh feeling. The Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake) located at the heart of the city is popular for strolling. Kandy is famous for the sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sacred city of Anuradhapura is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that serves as a holy place for Buddhists. According to popular belief, the city was established around a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment, the Buddha’s fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitra, Buddha’s daughter. The ruins of Anuradhapura are indeed worth visiting.
Often termed as the “eighth wonder of the world”, Sigiriya is perhaps one of the most iconic rock structures in Sri Lanka. The ancient rock fortress has significant archeological importance and it’s visited by thousands of travelers every year. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys, and fountains. The palace and fortress complex is recognized as one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning. Considering the uniqueness of Sigiriya, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 1982.
Termed by the Lonely Planet as “Little England”, this picturesque town in Sri Lanka is located in the Central Highlands and has vast stretches of tea plantation and shelters a huge number of migratory birds including blue magpies and bulbuls. Situated at an elevation of 1890 meters above sea level, it is the highest city in Sri Lanka and lies beneath the tallest peak of the island, Pidurutalagala or Mount Pedro.
This is the most visited national park in Sri Lanka and you’ll definitely enjoy visiting this place. There are 5 blocks and all of them are open for public visits. Also known as the Ruhunu National Park, this place is nothing less than a Jungle Book in reality, with monkeys hanging from branches, elephants strolling around, peacocks dancing and displaying their colorful feathers, deer running around, and leopards cunningly hiding on the branches of the trees.
The seaside town of Galle is situated in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, around 116 km from Colombo. This old fortified city was founded by the Portuguese colonial masters and still holds onto the old world charm. Nothing can be better than a weekend road trip from Colombo to Galle! After the Portuguese, the Dutch came and captured Galle, and the amalgamation of both cultures is worth witnessing. Visit the magnificent churches, beautiful mansions, ruins of the old forts and spend some time on the beach – it would just be amazing!
With its presence in nearly 25 countries all across the world, Volunteering Solutions has a plethora of projects running in different parts of the continents, engaging hundreds of people each year. In the last decade, there have been more than 12,000 volunteers who traveled with us in order to make some meaningful difference to the developing world. VolSol understands the importance of ethical and successful volunteering and places the volunteers in projects that would perfectly suit their areas of interest and career choices.
VolSol has a dedicated team, along with efficient in-country coordinators who are assisting the volunteers in the respective locations. Every participant who enrolls is given a Pre-Departure Booklet that contains all detailed information about the destination and chosen project. On the first day, volunteers get an orientation about the program and its role. Our coordinators will make sure that you are safe and secured, taking ample care of everything.
A Certificate of Project Completion will be provided to the volunteers after successfully completing their project for the chosen duration. This will be extremely beneficial for the future while focusing on career choices.
VolSol also helps the participants in fundraising activities, to get medical insurance well as to plan trips to nearby getaways while on a volunteering journey.
We have been trusted by many and with time, we’ve earned the goodwill of being one of the best international volunteer placement organizations. Once you decide to travel with us, we assure you to provide the best experiences ever.
“The mornings went in teaching English to the monk, which was a great experience in itself. The afternoons were focused on the children at the orphanage. What a treat that was! I spent time on English education via reading books, working on writing in activity books, singing and playing together…it was really fantastic.” – Sarin Jeghelian.
“The mahouts were so sweet and fun. They were always in good mood and would let us be around elephants as much as possible. It was a pleasure to see that they really cared about elephants and that they liked their job and the volunteers.
The kids at the Preschool and the girls at the girl’s home were adorable. The minute we stepped into the room, the kids were all over us to get our attention.” – Anne Ladefoged Pedersen.
We hope that you’ll have a great time in Sri Lanka, being a VolSol volunteer. For more information, you can directly get in touch with our Program Advisors. Just drop us a mail at info@volunteeringsolutions.com and our team will get back to you.
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