Sri Lanka, Galle4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Education mission in Sri Lanka
In Galle, on Sri Lanka’s south coast, support educators in early childhood centers or teach English, math and arts to children in local schools.
- Where
- Galle, Sri Lanka
- Length
- From 2 to 12 weeks
- Minimum age
- 16 years old
- Language
- English basic
- Departures
- Every Saturday
from €1,095 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
Galle is a delightful coastal town situated on the south coast of Sri Lanka where the fusion of modern life and colonial heritage is simply stunning. The town’s historic charm contrasts starkly with the modern city, making it the perfect place to start your humanitarian journey in Asia!
“Family” projects are suitable for children aged 4 and up. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on your children’s age, the destination, and the type of mission.
This project is suitable for completing your French high school work placement abroad.
Childcare in Nurseries
We are looking for volunteers ready to commit and engage with early childhood centers in Sri Lanka. These improvised nurseries provide play and relaxation spaces for children aged 3 to 6 for a few hours each day. Local families entrust their children to the care of educators and social workers at the centers, who handle a large number of children daily. During this humanitarian journey in Asia, volunteers are tasked with assisting local educators in their daily tasks.
Daily Childcare Work
- Assisting caregivers in their daily activities.
- Supporting teachers and offering supplementary activities.
- Assisting with meals, teaching children table manners and sharing meals.
- Conducting creative and musical workshops (songs, rhythms, etc.).
- Outdoor games and activities.
- Ensuring the proper implementation of schedules at the center.
- Sensory development activities.
Education Mission in Sri Lanka
This programme is designed for individuals with teaching experience, including educators, school teachers, and students with a minimum B2 level of English proficiency. The objective is to provide academic support to children aged 6 to 12 in subjects such as math, English, arts, and crafts. We provide the necessary teaching materials (textbooks, worksheets) to assist local schools. Volunteers engage in the education of young minds using interactive, motivating, and enjoyable methods.
English language instruction is crucial for children’s education and future professional prospects. Lessons take place in the afternoon, for 2 to 3 hours a day, and lesson preparation takes 4 to 5 hours a week. Classes typically have 20 to 30 children. As an added bonus, this programme offers the opportunity to teach at a Buddhist temple for young monks one day per week, providing a unique immersion experience in Sri Lankan culture.
Daily Work During This Humanitarian Journey in Asia
- Teaching English, math, and life skills.
- Sports and recreational activities.
- Training and mentoring teachers.
- Monitoring children’s progress.
- First aid training and recreational activities.
- Creating an environment conducive to playful learning using teaching materials.
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
Accommodation and meals
You will be staying in one of the two volunteer houses, located in the Unawatuna district, just a 15-minute drive from the centre of Galle and a 5-minute walk from the beach.
The houses have several bedrooms (separated by gender) sleeping between 4 and 6 people, each with en-suite facilities. Each house also includes an outdoor area, offering a peaceful place to relax, socialise or simply enjoy the region’s pleasant climate. Meals are also included in the project.
Volunteers will be allocated according to the availability of each house.
For couples, families or those preferring a single, double or family room, additional options are available at an extra cost. For more information on rates and conditions, please contact us directly.
Free time and activities
In addition to your project, those who wish can choose to take a one-week tour to explore the best of Sri Lanka’s beauty and diversity. From Galle to Sigiriya via Kandy and Ella, you will discover the southern, central and western regions of this magnificent tropical island.
Please contact us for departure dates.
Tour price: 810 euros.
Additional information
A conservative dress code must be adhered to during the project. Knees and shoulders should be covered, as well as any tattoos or body art. Additionally, participants are required to wear blue cotton teaching smocks (provided by the NGO) during their sessions. The rest of the clothing can be comfortable and casual.
Kandy & Colombo
Kandy is a popular tourist destination and the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Nestled in the hills at an altitude of 488m, it is located 115 km from Colombo. The most popular sites in Kandy are the Temple of the Tooth and the Peradeniya Botanical Garden.
Colombo, on the other hand, is a port city with a rich colonial heritage situated on the west coast. It is characterized by a vibrant mix of ethnicities, cultures, and religions. It showcases the best and, at times, the worst of Sri Lanka. The city is a blend of colonial houses, fine restaurants, lush gardens, smoky streets, and bustling markets.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, near Tissamaharama. It is divided into 5 blocks and is the largest and most visited park in the country. The park covers an area of nearly 1,260 square kilometers, but only the 5th block is accessible to visitors; the other 4 blocks are strictly restricted reserves.
It is an ideal place to spot Sri Lanka’s “Big 4”: elephants, sloth bears, leopards, and buffaloes. The latter, though lesser-known, can be extremely dangerous. Elephants can be observed near Butuwe and Mahaseelawa waterholes during the dry seasons. The Uraniya tank is known for its fish, buffaloes, and crocodiles. These are just a few of the marvels to discover during this humanitarian journey in Asia!
Experience and Training with Children
- Prior experience with children for the childcare project.
- Teaching assignments: reserved for professionals or students in the fields of education and social work.
Budget
How long are you going for?
Arrivals every Saturday. Available all year round except local school vacations (2 weeks in April and 4 weeks in August).
What is included
- Airport reception 6:00-13:00 or 14:30-18:30 on Saturday
- All meals
- Accommodation in the volunteer house
- Orientation session and daily briefing
- Training and supervision
- Wifi
- Donation to the project
Not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visa
- Return airport transfer
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
- Minimum age: 16 for the childcare programme and 18 for the teaching programme.
- Basic English proficiency (understanding instructions and communicating); fluent English (minimum B2) for the teaching programme.
- Vaccinations: Diphtheria, Typhus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Polio. Rabies vaccination and antimalarial treatment are recommended but not mandatory.
- Provide a copy of your criminal record check.
Placement depends on participants’ skills and profiles. A telephone interview and application form (CV and motivation letter) will determine the volunteers’ roles in educational projects, ranging from childcare to organizing extracurricular activities, and providing academic support/assistance in schools for more qualified individuals.
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
Questions
What kind of accommodation is provided for a family?
You stay together, in private rooms, shared houses or comfortable local guesthouses.
Is it a safe trip for children?
Our projects are selected with safety in mind. Families get a reassuring setting and supervised activities. The days are designed to include young and old alike, with a flexible pace and time to discover things together.
Can you join a project as a family?
Yes. For families who want to travel together, we offer programmes designed to welcome children from the age of 4, 10 or 15 depending on the project. Our programme pages say whether they are open to families; otherwise, contact our team to find out more.
Another question? Ask the team, and someone who knows the project will answer.
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