Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Excited to be a Childcare volunteer in Sri Lanka? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare project empowers volunteers to assist at a childcare center in Kandy. Volunteers gain experience in childcare while giving overworked local staff an extra hand and helping them provide high quality care and attention to local kids.
Childcare centers can be busy environments when they’re well resourced, but when they’re understaffed they just have to do the best they can with what they have. Volunteers are needed in a range of different childcare placements in Kandy to give children more attention and ease the burden on local staff.
As a volunteer you will play an important role assisting local teachers and providing them a helping hand in the classroom. To help young children learn, practice their English and enjoy their introduction to basic educational concepts, you will be using your creative skills through songs, dances, games, and repetition exercises. You’ll be in a structured environment with children ranging in age from 2 to 6 years old. By providing attention and care, you can help build a positive and loving atmosphere in the centers, fostering development and confidence in the children. You can assist with:
In the morning, you will be expected to volunteer there from 8:30 - 12:30 AM and in the afternoon you will do some lesson planning and preparation for the following day or help with another afternoon placement in Kandy.
When you volunteer with children in Sri Lanka you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
I am so happy that I could experience these two weeks in Sri Lanka. I met so many amazing people and started to think about how privileged my life is a lot more. I know, that you don’t choose your privilege, or lack thereof; you’re born with it. And that´s why I want to use my privilege for the greater good.
I loved to spend time with the local kids and families and was sad when I had to leave. Next time I will stay for longer, that´s for sure.
I left Sri Lanka feeling beyond grateful for the opportunity, it was so rewarding and heart warming knowing I made so many children happy and helped with their day to day needs, I will never ever forget this amazing experience and have so many special memories now forever because of volunteering, I would recommend this to anyone! The whole process from beginning to the end was perfect, and the memories you will have for life!
I never thought I would gain as much experience, peace, and positive energy from this trip. I probably didn't change the world but I helped in my way, with my means, my ambition. Today I realized that it was something that made me happy, only by seeing others fulfilled with joy, trying new things and seeing that people care for them, that's what I live for, and I can't wait to have that feeling of a proud achievement again. Thank you to IVHQ, you made my dream come true, and I hope for the best next summer.
The people were amazing. I’ve never met anyone so generous and helpful. The local team organized everything for us and always made sure we got home safely. They have a special place in my heart. I feel like I grew as a person. The kids had a bigger impact on my life than I had on theirs. I was introduced to a new world and a new culture that I did not expect to be so wonderful. The kids there will forever have my heart. I feel like I changed and I'm more mature and aware of the world surrounding me. To anyone who is thinking about joining the program, it is worth every breath, every penny, every step, to see those smiles.
My favorite moments were singing and learning the Sri Lankan dances with the kids, having the children sit around listening to stories as I read them books, the hugs from the children and teachers at the end and a lovely gift of a painting of elephants my favorite animal) from the principal. Thank you cards from the teachers and children. Meeting other volunteers from other countries and sharing our lives. My advice is just go for it. If I can do it, you certainly can. A wonderful saying at a local restaurant "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions. " This experience will never leave me. I am so glad I did it!!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified online
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is an island nation set off the south-east coast of India. Famous for its tea plantations, cinnamon exports and cricket rivalries, it also boasts a vast array of beaches, Buddhas and big beasts like elephants and whales.
While Sri Lanka is a well-developed country which has made great strides towards making sure its residents don’t live in extreme poverty, there are still many places outside of the main centers where people struggle to access good quality education, healthcare and earn a decent living to support themselves and their families. Volunteers can help in these areas by providing important support to local initiatives that aim to improve the quality of life for people in these disadvantaged areas.
Most of IVHQ’s Sri Lanka volunteer projects are based in the small, sacred city of Kandy.
The program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Colombo on Sunday between 5am and 8pm to receive an airport pick up.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) on Sunday. Your airport pick-up on this day is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.
After you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Kandy. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Sri Lanka prior to your volunteer program, you can meet the local team at the airport in Colombo on the Sunday before your program begins, or make your own way directly to the local team’s office in Kandy.
Orientation is run by the local team in Kandy, beginning on the Monday morning of your start date. Volunteers can choose to join a One-day Orientation or Introduction Week Orientation.
One-day Orientation: This provides you with all the key information you need, plus the chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing. It includes an introduction to Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan customs, rules and expectations, safety in Sri Lanka, travel opportunities in Sri Lanka, an introduction to your volunteer project and placement, Kandy city tour, cultural show and basic Sinhala language lessons.
Introduction Week Orientation: This is a fantastic way to start your volunteer experience in Sri Lanka and gives you the time to dive deeper into the culture and activities. It will include everything on the One-Day Orientation as well as the following activities:
If you wish to participate in the Introduction Week, you can indicate this on your application form when you apply for the program or let your Program Manager know at least two weeks before you begin the program.
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays - A typical volunteer day is as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers go to the placement and help. |
| 12:30 PM | Volunteer break for lunch. |
| 2:00 PM | Volunteers plan for their project the following day or helping on other projects if available. |
| 5:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. |
Please note, this schedule can vary.
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers are free to relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Kandy and Sri Lanka. Kandy itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has an exciting selection of things to see and do. You can visit a number of beautiful and ornate temples including the Temple of the Tooth - an important shrine housing a canine tooth said to belong to the Buddha; wander in the grand and impressive Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya; tour a tea plantation and factory; sample the tasty and widely-regarded local cuisine; or take a walk up to the biggest Buddha statue in Sri Lanka and be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views of the city. Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield to destinations, such as Colombo, Galle or even Southern India.
Volunteers in Kandy are accommodated in a volunteer house. Bedrooms have bunk beds and you can expect to share a room with four to nine other volunteers of the same gender.
Living is comfortable and the accommodation has electricity, fans, running water. Bathrooms in the volunteer houses are all western style with a toilet, basin and a warm shower. Bedding is provided and includes a pillow with pillow case and top and bottom sheets. You will need to bring a towel, toiletries including hand soap and toilet paper, and a mosquito net if you wish to sleep with one.
The volunteer house has a safe member staying in the house at night and there is an 8:00pm curfew on weeknights and 12:00pm on weekends at the volunteer accommodation, please be considerate and reduce noise.
To access the internet during your program, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Sri Lanka, as WiFi is not available in the volunteer accommodation.
Private rooms can be arranged for an additional $90 per person, per week, subject to availability at the time.
Please note that families with younger children are required to book a private room for their time on the program.
Volunteers on the Sri Lanka program are provided with three meals a day during the week and brunch and dinner during the weekend. Breakfast includes toast, eggs, fruit, tea, coffee and milk. Sri Lankan foods served for lunch and dinner include roti bread, dhal, curries, vegetables and salads. Meat is rarely eaten except on festive occasions.
Bottled water is readily available in Sri Lanka and volunteers should budget approximately CA$7 per week for 2 liters per day. There are also water filters in the volunteer houses. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can discuss this with you. However, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. The local team will do their best to see that you are well taken care of, but as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible. If you wish to supplement some of your meals with home comforts, there are basic kitchen facilities available to use.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$439) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $390 Equivalent to $56/day |
| 2 weeks | $542 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 3 weeks | $734 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 4 weeks | $906 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,078 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,250 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,594 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,938 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,282 Equivalent to $27/day |
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Kandy program.
Embark on an unforgettable weekend getaway to Sigiriya, where ancient history and breathtaking nature await.
Discover the best of Sri Lanka on this week-long tour. Enjoy the diverse flora and fauna, take in stunning hilltop views, and ride the world’s most scenic train. Climb Lion’s Rock to explore the ancient kingdom’s ruins from 500 AD.
Enjoy a stress free ride from Kandy back to Bandaranaike International Airport arranged by our local team.
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
| Capital | Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte |
| Population | 21.8 million |
| Languages | Sinhala and Tamil |
| Currency | Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 |
Weather and climate
The climate is tropical and warm, due to the moderating effects of ocean winds. Mean temperature ranges from 17°C (62.6°F) in the central highlands, where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of 33 °C (91.4°F) in other low-altitude areas.
Get exclusive offers, program opening updates, travel inspo, volunteer stories, scholarships and competitions… Straight to your inbox!
