In the rural communities around Galle, hundreds of children grow up without access to structured sport or physical activity. No proper equipment, no trained coaches, no dedicated facilities. Yet the energy, the desire to play, to run and to swim is there — raw and boundless.
On this programme, you become what these children don’t yet have: a sports-passionate adult who can teach them the basics, build team spirit, and show them that sport can genuinely change how they see themselves.
Each week follows a structured rhythm designed to maximise impact with children aged 9 to 14:
Football coaching (2 days per week) — Sessions take place on a covered indoor astroturf pitch. You work alongside local coaches to run technical drills, team games and team-building activities. No professional coaching licence required — enthusiasm, consistency and a genuine connection with the kids make all the difference.
Swimming lessons (2 days per week) — Lessons are held at a neighbourhood outdoor swimming pool. Many of these children have never had access to formal swimming instruction. You work in small groups, adapting to each child’s level, encouraging progress and making sure every session feels safe and encouraging.
Community outreach (1 day per week) — Visits to local village schools, football matches against community teams, or workshops at the AASHA Community Centre focused on sport, health and wellbeing. This fifth day is often the one the children talk about most.
Sessions run for 2.5 to 3 hours each afternoon, with dedicated weekly planning time alongside local instructors. Groups are intentionally kept small — a maximum of 8 volunteers at any one time — so every child receives real individual attention.
You’re active, you enjoy working with children, and you’re looking for an experience that goes beyond sightseeing. Whether you’re a sports science student looking for an international field placement, a young professional using annual leave for something meaningful, a family travelling with a teenager from age 16, or simply someone who wants a different kind of break — this programme is built for a wide range of profiles.
No professional coaching experience is required. What matters: patience, energy and the ability to adapt to children of very different skill levels.
Duration in weeks | Total mission budget |
|---|---|
2 weeks | 1140 € |
3 weeks | 1340 € |
4 weeks | 1540 € |
5 weeks | 1740 € |
6 weeks | 1940 € |
7 weeks | 2140 € |
8 weeks | 2390 € |
9 weeks | 2640 € |
10 weeks | 2890 € |
11 weeks | 3140 € |
12 weeks | 3390 € |
You’re housed in one of two volunteer houses in Unawatuna, steps from the beach, both located in Galle, in one of the most welcoming neighbourhoods on Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
3 freshly cooked meals are included every day. Daily transport to and from the project site is provided. On arrival, a full orientation prepares you for life on the ground: local culture, session planning, health and safety, and an area tour around Galle.
For any international project, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness and repatriation, including civil liability for professional activities abroad.
For full protection while studying or interning abroad, you can take out Cap Student insurance online via this link Student insurance abroad | Chapka Assurances, which gives you a 5% discount.
If you choose another insurance provider, we will ask you to send us a copy of your insurance certificate in English.
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