Overview
Volunteer to Teach English in Sri Lanka

By volunteering to teach in English in Sri Lanka on this project, you have the chance to experience life in a typical Sri Lankan rural community, whilst providing great help to its inhabitants. The project is based in Mahavilachchiya, which borders one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most beautiful National Parks. Here volunteers will learn teaching methods and assist children who otherwise would not have opportunity to develop their academic skills.

Volunteers will assist the local teacher to help children who need more attention with literacy, maths and giving English, and assisting with activities such as sports and arts. You may also have the opportunity to take the children on field trips away from the school and also get involved in supporting the adults in the community.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

The project is trying to offer alternative ways to teaching and making learning more fun! It's been a pleasure working with the communities. The more you put in, the more they get out.

Marissa Copeland, 2008 Volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

The foundation started off providing children with further education in English and computers. The foundation now supports additional initiatives, such as bringing PC’s to the homes of the local villagers and micro-scholarships which aims to help students who are having difficulties financing their studies. This project now provides over 160 students with access to the internet, PC’s in their homes and an academy to improve their English and ICT education and most importantly it offers both the children and the community fresh hope for the future.

Highlights

Assisting on a pioneering project in rural Sri Lanka; living with a local host family and immersing yourself in their culture and local community; teaching children who are eager to learn English and IT skills; exploring the local region to visit the many National Parks, beaches and ancient cities.

Location

The project is based in the village of Mahavilachchiya, which borders the Vilpaththu National Park. It is about one hour by car north of Anuradhapura, the largest and oldest of Sri Lanka's ancient cities. For such a small island Sri Lanka has many riches that continue to lure travellers; here you find waterfalls, beaches, excellent bird watching, fascinating culture, jungle and national parks.

Field Conditions

Please be prepared for relatively basic living conditions. You will stay with local families in the village itself, where all volunteers have a private room and access to a shared bathroom. The houses all have running water (not hot), electricity, showers, etc. Three meals a day will be provided by your host family (vegetarians can easily be catered for) of food that is nutritious but basic. Volunteers should be prepared to wash your clothes by hand!