Provide Quality Care to Children in Need

The program

Volunteers on this important program will work within one of three locations around Sri Lanka - Badulla, Galle and Wattala. Volunteers may choose which location they wish to work in on this essential program. All three sites provide quality care to children in need – however desperately require volunteers to help them with caring for and spending time with the children. The recent war, poverty and a very low standard of living has sadly resulted in many cases where children are left orphaned and un-cared for – requiring a home and adults to supply much-need care and attention. Volunteers will supply this – providing hands-on care and, most importantly, their time, talking to and playing with the children. They may also like to read to them, and help with their studies. This one on one time will greatly help and boost their confidence levels. The children greatly benefit from the support and attention that they receive from international volunteers, who are greatly appreciated by the local carers and children. 

Goals of this Project:

• Provide essential care to vulnerable children in Sri Lanka
• Improve the future prospects of children with education support
• Give orphaned or abandoned children quality care, compassion and a sense of hope
• Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike.

How you can help

Volunteers play an essential role in helping disadvantaged children through this program.  Volunteers undertaking this placement assist local staff with daily routines such as bathing, dressing, feeding, assisting with nursing care, organizing exercise activities and games, assisting with personal and environmental hygiene education, cleaning and laundry tasks. Depending on their experience, volunteers may also give additional assistance by providing basic English lessons, and assisting the older children with their homework. Please note that this placement has a strict dress code. Volunteers should wear conservative clothing with knee length pants or skirts, and appropriate tops. Volunteers on the program are encouraged to use their skills and interests to assist carers in developing activities for the children, such as music and dance, sports, arts and crafts, etc.  Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Help to feed and care for the children
• Help to teach the children
• Attend to and interact with the children
• Create activities and entertain the children with games

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:30am Breakfast at your accommodtion

8:30am Travel to the program site

8:45am Pre-start meeting with the program supervisor

9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

Lunch is provided at the Volunteer Centre, normally from 12:00 - 1:30pm.

4:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

Volunteers may wish to take part in optional activities after 4pm including sporting activities, awareness programs and cultural shows.

7:00pm Dinner at the Volunteer House

Evening Free time to relax

This amazing program works with childcare centers in three locations: Wattala, Galle and Badulla. Volunteers can note their preference for a particular location if they wish or allow our local team to assign them according to need and best fit.

Wattala lies some 10 mins away from the capital city of Colombo and contains enough diversity and interest to engage every visitor.

Galle is the historic jewel in Sri Lanka's crown. A UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its eponymous Fort this port city is an absolute delight and rewards visitors with its architecture, culture and atmosphere. Transport to Galle is arranged by our local team and included in the program fee.

Badulla is an inland town, set amidst soaring mountains and hills covered in tea plantations. An eco-tourism hub and one of Sri Lanka's oldest towns this is an authentic and restful place in which to be based. Volunteers take a 12 hour scenic train ride from Colombo (the cost of which is included in the program fee) to Badulla. The train departs from Colombo Fort Train Station and the local team will make all arrangements and assist volunteers onto the train (the cost is included in the program fee). The journey takes participants through some of the most amazing scenery this beautiful country has to offer and is highly recommended.