Volunteer with Children in Sri Lanka

If you’re enthusiastic and energetic, and enjoy working with children, this project is a perfect fit for you.

Thinking about a career involving childcare work or teaching? This project is a great way to gain experience and learn from local caregivers.You’ll also learn about early childhood development and put it into practice at your placement.

There are no requirements in order to join this project. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a comprehensive induction which will introduce you to everything you need to know. Your role is to support the local caregivers and teachers, who will guide you for the duration of your placement. Projects Abroad staff are also available 24/7 and check in with all our volunteers regularly.

You’ll have access to a resource database stocked with ideas for different activities and educational games. Furthermore, we also organise regular workshops with our Childcare and Teaching volunteers. You can share advice and learn more about early childcare in Sri Lanka.

Childcare volunteering in Sri Lanka runs year round, and you can join at any time from a minimum of two weeks. We encourage you to stay longer, so you can have a bigger impact on the children.

The main aim of this project is to promote and invest in early childhood development.

The early childhood years are the most crucial development stage in one’s life, forming the foundation for your future learning, wellbeing, and success. Preschools in disadvantaged communities are often overcrowded and understaffed. This means that children do not receive the level of attention and stimulation that they need.

You provide children with the support and interaction they need to thrive. By tracking their progress through our database, we can immediately identify areas where a child is struggling. You’ll then work with them to improve their skills, so that they are better prepared for school.

Projects Abroad has elected not to work with children in orphanages in Sri Lanka, but rather focus on community-based programmes that allow children to remain within their families. To promote the education and development of these children, we have identified three major goals to guide our work:

• Improve children’s English
• Increase literacy
• Improve the quality of life for those living with disabilities

Join us in Sri Lanka and contribute to positive, long-term change in the lives of local children.

A standard work day will run from 8.30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. There will be a morning session from 8.30am – 11.30am, where you’ll work at one of our partner placements. The afternoon session, from 3pm -5pm, will be spent with older children.

You can choose to work at a kindergarten, day care centre, special needs school, or a community centre. Consequently, your daily activities will vary according to which placement you choose.

Children at day care centres and community centres usually still attend school in the morning. As a result, you’ll spend your morning volunteering at a school. In the afternoon, you’ll help with homework, organize physical activities, and work with children who need extra assistance with things like reading.

Once you’re done for the day, the evening is yours. Spend time socializing with your fellow volunteers while reminiscing about your day. Explore the nearby attractions or simply relax back at home getting to know your host family.