Care & Community in Sri Lanka

Based in many small towns along the southwest coast of Sri Lanka from Negombo to Galle and in the hill town of Kandy, care work in Sri Lanka is a multi-dimensional experience offering an enormous variety of choice. All the work here involves a lot of commitment to the children - including some placements caring and working with mentally or physically disabled children and work in orphanages. Please let us know if you have any specific preferences.

Most children at the orphanages and care centres still attend school in the mornings, sometimes at the same site or at a school nearby. Volunteers therefore often help with basic education for a few hours in the mornings, usually teaching conversational English in government schools. Some volunteers also work with very young children during this time, helping four years olds learn the alphabet or doing colouring and art activities for example. In the afternoons volunteers assist in numerous areas with the children, from helping with homework to organising and playing sports and games with the children or reading to a child individually.

Some of the orphanages where we work are home to children with severe disabilities and volunteers are needed to help feed, wash, dress and do physical exercises with these children. These placements are not for everyone, one volunteer described her placement as 'shocking but the most rewarding month of my life'. Volunteers here are greatly needed but it won't all be fun and games.

We also have a placement at a boy's home, where volunteers can help with laundry, cooking and work on the site's farm in the mornings then spend the afternoons playing, teaching and helping in the home's computer room, where they have nine personal computers and one over-worked member of staff!

English at most of the placements is basic, but the enthusiasm of both the staff and children ensures that you can communicate. Our Teaching & Projects Abroad staff and the supervisor at your placement will always be on hand to ensure you make the most of your time in Sri Lanka. When you apply for a Care & Community placement in Sri Lanka, you will be contacted to discuss the various options and find the best placement for you.

Care & Community volunteers in some locations can also choose to help in Tsunami Relief camps from 3pm to 5pm each afternoon. Volunteers help with homework and organise games and sporting activities for the children.

To read a more detailed information about this project, you may visit our Volunteer Care & Community in Sri Lanka specialized website.