If you’ve always wanted to give back through teaching and love working with young kids, this preschool project in Sri Lanka might be just your thing. You’ll be helping out at a Buddhist preschool in either Galle or Badulla, where you’ll support the local teacher and get a real feel for early childhood education in a totally different culture.
Not only is this a unique way to experience education in Sri Lanka, but it also brings you closer to the local way of life. The children are between 3 and 5 years old, and most classes have around 20–25 students.
At the preschool, you’ll assist the teacher with whatever comes up during the day. Kids at this age still have lots of time for play, creativity, and social interaction, so you’ll be helping with arts and crafts, storytelling, games, and just spending time with the children. You'll also notice how Buddhism is gently woven into daily school life, even from a young age.
Your day starts bright and early at 6:30 AM, when you’ll have breakfast with the other volunteers. By 7:30 AM, your regular tuk-tuk driver will pick you up and take you to the project.
You’ll be at the school from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, after which you’re free to explore the area, relax, or head to the beach. Want to fill your day with even more volunteering? You can combine this project with the day-care centre or the turtle conservation project for the full Sri Lankan experience.
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 be working from 8:00am to 11:00am.
You’ll be working alongside at least two permanent teachers and a maximum of two other volunteers.
English is spoken at the project. In general, people in Sri Lanka speak English quite well, so you’ll get by just fine using English. Some parts of the lessons, like certain songs, may be in Sinhala, but the permanent staff can translate these for you.
The school holidays are in April, August and December. The regular program won’t run during those times, but we do offer a holiday program as an alternative. So you’ll still have the opportunity to teach.
Your accommodation depends on whether you’re placed in Galle or Badulla.
Galle
In Galle, you’ll stay in a volunteer house. If the house is full, you’ll share a room with one other volunteer, though sometimes you may be lucky and get your own room. Three meals a day are included. You’ll be cooked for, and meals will be local dishes. You’ll also have access to WiFi, and laundry facilities are available. If you’d prefer to stay with a host family, we can arrange that too.
Badulla
In Badulla, you’ll stay with a lovely local host family, and you’ll often have your own room. Staying with a family gives you a great opportunity to experience local culture. As in Galle, three meals a day are included. You’ll be cooked for, and meals are local cuisine. WiFi and laundry facilities are also available.
In both Badulla and Galle, you’ll be picked up by a regular driver in a tuk tuk or minivan. It’s a great way to get around in Sri Lanka.
If you’ve got a bit of extra space in your bag and would like to bring something for the project, it would be hugely appreciated. Please check with us first so we can advise you on what would be useful.
Harsha will pick you up from the airport.
Check out our additional trip options to see what you can do in your free time. We’ve got some amazing excursions on offer. Since you’re already in such a beautiful country, it’s definitely worth exploring more of what Sri Lanka has to offer.
Your contact person in Sri Lanka is Harsha. He speaks excellent English and coordinates all the volunteer projects. You can reach out to him with any questions about your trip to Sri Lanka, and he’ll be there to support you throughout your stay. Harsha is a fantastic point of contact.
Here’s a photo of Harsha with his wife and son.
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
1 week of volunteering: $675
2 weeks of volunteering: $1045
3 weeks of volunteering: $1415
4 weeks of volunteering: $1825
Each additional week: $310
These prices are based on staying with a host family.
If you choose hotel accommodation, there’s an extra charge of $49 per room, per night.
*All prices are in AUD
Before Departure
Online introductory meeting
Information pack with details about Sri Lankan culture and customs, along with a checklist of preparations including travel insurance, money matters, and other travel tips
Pre-departure training
Help arranging a police check (VOG)
Access to the online volunteer community
Assistance with your visa application
Help with booking your flight (on request)
During Your Trip
Airport transfer to your project location
On-site orientation
Assistance with visa extensions (if needed)
Ongoing support throughout your stay
Accommodation in a hotel with a swimming pool
Or a homestay with a local family
Three meals per day
After Your Trip
Final evaluation
Certificate (on request)
Option to stay connected via our WhatsApp community
Memories for life!
Flights
Vaccinations
Visa
Hotel surcharge of $49 per night per room
Police check (VOG)
Travel insurance
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