If I was to give advice somebody else joining a new program, I would say to go for it as a difference I made in just one week was amazing and I also grew so much as a person. The local team were absolutely fantastic in providing me amazing support during my stay Sri Lanka. They answered all of my questions and made me feel extremely safe whilst I was volunteering. They put me on the best programs based on the skills that I had and they also allowed me to join in with cultural activities throughout the week making my experience very memorable.
Childcare Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka
Purpose
Provide a safe space for children to learn
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Volunteer house
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Energetic, caring volunteers who like working with children and are willing to help out with a wide range of tasks that may be required by the centre. You’ll be working with local teachers so no experience is necessary.
Project details
Excited to be a Childcare volunteer in Sri Lanka? International Volunteer HQ’s Childcare project empowers volunteers to assist at a childcare centre 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.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Childcare centres 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:
- Assisting local teachers with English lessons
- Arranging games, activities, arts and crafts
- Talking, playing and singing with children
- Sharing your language and culture
- Washing clothes
- Cleaning up
- Gardening
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.
Why do Childcare volunteering in Kandy with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with children in Sri Lanka you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Supporting local staff to provide quality childcare
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining childcare experience
- Immersing yourself in Sri Lankan culture
- Discovering Sri Lanka’s rich history
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- To respect the local culture and customs in Sri Lanka, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
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 >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Sri Lanka photo gallery
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Elephant Welfare project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Turtle Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
Typical volunteer classroom
Typical volunteer transport
Exploring during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring by train during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Sri Lanka during an IVHQ weekend
Visiting Sigiriya during an IVHQ weekend
Visiting Sigiriya during an IVHQ weekend
Visiting Sigiriya during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Fish Markets during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Kandy Markets during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
HC
Henrietta Cole
19 Nov 2024
...
TR
Theresia Ressmann
06 Sep 2024
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.
...
BS
Bonnie Smith
28 Nov 2023
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!
...
LD
Leyla Doghri
06 Sep 2023
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.
...
LN
Lynn Nader
22 Aug 2023
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.
...
JA
Jacqueline Alces
28 Mar 2023
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.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
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 creditRecommended online TEFL course
Recommended online TEFL course
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 onlineLocation
Location
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 centres 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.
Arrival and orientation
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 travelling 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 socialising. 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:
- Visit a local spice and herbal garden
- Herbal Massage
- Visit to a local tea factory and Ceylon Tea tasting
- Sri Lankan cooking lesson
- Visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth
- Lantern making
- Sri Lankan Dancing lesson
- Kandy City tour
- Gem Museum
- Sri Lankan Food Tasting
- Language and Culture Lesson
- Visit to the White Buddha
- Henna Painting with locals
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.
Volunteer schedule example
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.
Accommodation and WiFi
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.
Meals
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 £4 per week for 2 litres 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.
Outside of volunteer house in Kandy
Typical volunteer bedroom in Kandy
Typical volunteer bedroom in Kandy
Typical volunteer bedroom in Kandy
Private room upgrade in Kandy
Private room upgrade in Kandy
Typical volunteer bathroom in Kandy
Typical volunteer bathroom in Kandy
Volunteer living room in Kandy
Outside of volunteer house in Hanguranketha
Typical volunteer bedroom in Hanguranketha
Typical volunteer bathroom in Hanguranketha
Typical volunteer dining room in Hanguranketha
Volunteer living room in Hanguranketha
Outside of volunteer house in Dambulla
Outside of volunteer house in Dambulla
Typical volunteer bedroom in Dambulla
Volunteer accommodation in Randeniya
Volunteer accommodation in Randeniya
Volunteer bedroom in Randeniya
Volunteer bedroom in Randeniya
Volunteer bathroom in Randeniya
Volunteer dining room in Randeniya
Volunteer social area in Randeniya
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately £251), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £251) 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 |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £251) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Sri Lanka generally find US$50 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Kandy
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.
Lion's Rock Fortress and Safari - 1 night/2days
Embark on an unforgettable weekend getaway to Sigiriya, where ancient history and breathtaking nature await.
£321
Trekking Week
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.
£859
Airport Drop-off
Enjoy a stress free ride from Kandy back to Bandaranaike International Airport arranged by our local team.
£81
Check what's required to visit Sri Lanka
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| 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.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
