This project in Sri Lanka is dedicated to supporting children with intellectual disabilities, primarily through creative therapy, focusing on dance and music. From Monday to Thursday, the centre accommodates 11 children, and on Fridays, the group expands to include deaf children, bringing the total to 30 participants. While dance remains central, the program also incorporates activities such as drawing and painting.
Volunteers are warmly welcomed to assist local teachers. The students are categorised as 'differently abled' due to various congenital disabilities. The main goal of the 'dance academy' is to facilitate the socialisation process for these differently abled students. The most effective approach to encourage social interaction is through organising dance and singing sessions, along with other creative subjects.
Volunteers can contribute by helping with drawing, painting, and other creative activities, enhancing and maintaining the dance academy's environment, assisting with schoolwork such as English and mathematics. There are also two computers available where volunteers can teach the basics to the youth, engage with drawing programs, and play computer games. Additionally, the students possess strong dancing skills, so volunteers with dance experience are especially welcome.
You typically wake up around 7:00 AM and have breakfast with your host family. Then, a tuk-tuk driver transports you to the project site. Depending on the day, you work from approximately 8:30AM to 1:30PM. Afterward, you usually have lunch with your host family. In the afternoons, you have the opportunity to explore the area, such as visiting Ella or the beautiful waterfall in Badulla.
Imke
Ik heb het zo naar mijn zin gehad! Ik zou vrijwilligerswerk echt aan iedereen aanraden!
Marlous
Echt een geweldige ervaring en een top tijd gehad!
Damian
Vrijwilligerswerk is voor mij het delen van ervaringen. Hoe meer energie je erin stopt, hoe meer voldoening je er ook uit kan halen.
Kristel en Zoé
Hoe dan ook smaakt dit avontuur naar meer en hopen we in de toekomst nog met vrijwillig wereldwijd te kunnen reizen.
You’ll work from around 8:30AM to 1:30PM, Monday to Friday.
You’ll be working with one or two permanent teachers. There may also be other volunteers on the project at the same time. If you’d feel more comfortable having our dedicated coordinator come along with you, that’s absolutely no problem.
English is the main language spoken by volunteers. Not all teachers speak fluent English, so you’ll need to get creative at times using gestures and hand signals. If needed, someone from the organisation can join you to offer extra support and help translate.
This project isn’t available on weekends, and there are school holidays in April, August and December.
Badulla:
In Badulla, you’ll stay with a lovely local host family, often with your own private room. Staying with a host family gives you a genuine insight into the culture.Three meals a day are included, and you’ll be served local-style meals. There’s also WiFi available, and you can do your laundry at the accommodation.
In Badulla, you’ll be picked up each day by a regular driver in a tuk-tuk or minivan which is a fun and authentic way to get around Sri Lanka.
If you’ve got a little extra space in your bag and want to bring something for the project, it would be greatly appreciated. Please check in with us first about what would be most helpful to bring.
Harsha will pick you up from the airport.
Take a look at our extra trips to see all the amazing things you can do in your free time. Since you’ll already be in such a beautiful place, it’s the perfect chance to explore more of the country.
Harsha is the local contact in Sri Lanka. He speaks great English and coordinates all the volunteer projects. You can ask him anything about your trip to Sri Lanka, and he’ll be there to help you on the ground. Harsha is a fantastic contact person and here’s a photo of him with his son and wife.
For this project, we’re looking for volunteers who want to contribute to the creative therapy of children with intellectual disabilities. You’ll help organise and run activities such as dance, music, drawing and painting.
This project is suitable for volunteers of all ages.
Passion for Care and Creative Therapy
Enthusiasm and a genuine desire to help are essential. Experience in care or creative therapy is a bonus but not required.
Initiative and Proactivity
The ability to work independently and take initiative is valuable. You’ll be expected to organise and lead activities.
Patience and Empathy
Being understanding and patient is crucial, especially when working with children who need special care.
Cultural Sensitivity
Respect for and understanding of local customs and traditions is important. Openness and a willingness to learn from the local culture are essential for a positive experience.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Working in Sri Lanka means dealing with different circumstances than you might be used to. Being flexible and adaptable is key.
Communication Skills
Good communication is important for working effectively with local teachers and fellow volunteers.
Team Spirit
Teamwork is essential. A positive attitude and the willingness to collaborate with local staff and other volunteers help create a successful environment.
As a volunteer, you’ll assist local teachers with delivering creative therapy sessions for children with intellectual disabilities. This includes helping with dance and music lessons, arts and crafts, and other educational activities. You’ll work from Monday to Friday, roughly from 8:30\AM to 1:30PM.
Your time in Sri Lanka will offer opportunities for both personal and professional growth, cultural exchange, and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re passionate about care and creative therapy, and ready to dedicate yourself in a challenging yet deeply rewarding setting, this project in Sri Lanka is perfect for you. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the quality of life for these children.
We completely understand that having your child volunteer overseas can feel like a big step. In fact, it’s often just as exciting for parents as it is for the young person themselves, and sometimes even a little more nerve-racking. That’s why we want to reassure you that your child is in good hands.
Since 2004, we’ve been supporting volunteers and have guided many young people through meaningful international experiences.
We take safety seriously. That begins with carefully selecting our partner organisations, volunteer projects, and host families. Every placement is thoroughly checked to make sure it meets our high standards for safety, support, and ethical practices.
Our experienced and caring local contacts are always there to support volunteers throughout their journey. From clear pre-departure preparation to personal assistance during the project, we’re available to help whenever needed.
We believe strongly in open communication. You're always welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’re here not only for the volunteers, but for their families too.
You can feel confident knowing we are fully committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive experience. Your child’s wellbeing, safety, and overall happiness are our top priorities.
If there's anything you’d like to ask or talk through, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Warm regards,
The Volunteer Worldwide Team
Average cost for a 5 week stay = $370 per week
1 week of volunteering: $499
2 weeks of volunteering: $849
3 weeks of volunteering: $1199
4 weeks of volunteering: $1569
Each additional week: $285
*All prices in AUD.
Online introduction meeting
Information pack with details about Sri Lankan culture and customs, as well as a checklist to help you prepare, including insurance, money matters, and travel tips
Pre-departure training
Assistance with your background check (VOG)
Access to our online community
Help with your visa application
Optional help with booking your flight
Airport pickup and transfer to the project
On-site introduction
Support with visa extensions (if needed)
Guidance and support throughout your stay
Homestay accommodation with our local contact
Three meals per day
Evaluation session
Certificate (on request)
Option to stay connected through our WhatsApp community
Memories for life!
Your flight, vaccinations, visa, background check (VOG), and travel insurance.
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