(214) 390-7947 (Overseas Callers)

Toll-Free: 1-800-675-2504 (US/Canada)

01273 93 0514 (UK ), (02) 8006 6640 (Australia)


Volunteering in Sri Lanka Orphanage

Are you looking to change lives of poor and underprivileged children? Would you like to discover the beautiful Island of Sri Lanka and its deep culture? Are you passionate about supporting children in need? If the answer is yes, then this program will allow you to do just that.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in South Asia set on the Indian Ocean. It is famously known for its remarkable combination of sandy white beaches, stunning landscape and captivating cultural heritage and experiences.

Sadly, Sri Lanka also struggles with poverty and many children are suffering. They do not have access to basic needs such as food and quality education. Because of poverty and hopelessness many children have become orphans and are desperate.

In Sri Lanka, local orphanages are working hard to serve these children and give them a chance at abetter future by giving them a home, education, and love. Unfortunately, these orphanages are underfunded and understaffed and are looking for helping hands to better serve the kids, and this is where you come in.

By joining the Volunteering in Sri Lanka OrphanageProject, you will provide great support and relief to a badly overworked local staff. Furthermore, the love and care you give to the children will greatly inspire them and give them a hope of a better and brighter future. By using the confidence and skills you impart to them, they will be able to pull themselves out of poverty and break the cycle they are trapped in.

Do you want to make the world a better place and give orphans in Sri Lanka a real chance at happiness and prosperity while travelling through an amazing country? Then contact IFRE for more information today!

Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.

Skills and Qualifications:

There are no specific education or experience requirements to join our volunteer orphanage project in Sri Lanka. However, you should be a passionate, caring and loving person with a deep desire to make the world a better place and a genuine love for working and interacting closely with children. You should also be flexible, patient and kind.


Volunteer Responsibilities and Impact:

When volunteering in Sri Lanka, you will be working with children as young as a few days and up to 12 years of age. Your responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the children and staff, but while working with the younger kids you will spend most of your time feeding, cleaning and playing with them, as well as organizing games.

With the older kids, you will teach them English in the orphanage or the nearby school for 4-5 hours a day, working closely with local teachers. You will also organize extracurricular activities such as art, sports and games.

By providing these valuable skills and lessons, the children will be better prepared for the future, opening many doors and allowing them to pursue their passion. Without you, these children would stand little chance of a happy future, so you can rest assured you’ll be making a huge difference by giving them hope through your love and passion.


Working in the Orphanage will be a rewarding and fun filled experience. Each day will present you with new and enjoyable situations, and you will feel fulfilled seeing first-hand the difference you’re making.

First Day: On your first day of orphanage volunteering in Sri Lanka, your in-country coordinator will escort you to your placement by and he will introduce you to the local staff and the children you will be working with.

Weekdays: You will start workingon the second day, while each day will provide a fresh experience, a standard day look will look like this:

7.00 to 7.30 AM: Your host family will share with you a delicious home cooked breakfast to start the day.

7.45 AM: You will set out for a great day of teaching and playing with the children. Work and hours will depend, but you will spend the day at your placement teaching or aiding with other tasks

12.00 PM: Break for lunch. This will be an opportunity to help serve the children with food and eat together or you can return to you host family for lunch.

3.00 PM: Work at the placement usually ends. You are now free to travel home, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing.


Volunteering in Sri Lanka Orphanage: Dates and Fees

Program Dates

IFRE programs begin every Monday year-round. If you have travel constraints, you can still start your chosen program on any day of the year.

Our Fees

Since 2006, IFRE has been the most trusted and respected volunteer abroad organization in the world, and also the most affordable. We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality volunteer programs at the lowest fees, which make it possible for everyone, especially students, to volunteer internationally and make a positive impact in the lives of others.

We believe in 100% transparency. Rest assured; we never use middlemen. Your one-time registration fee of $299 covers our administrative costs. The low weekly fee is paid in the host country directly to your host family and project (via country coordinator), and includes housing, food, and minor expenses. IFRE is a non-profit organization, so your program fees are tax deductible.

h3> Volunteer Program Fees (US$)
Duration Orphanage Project
  1 Week   $150
  2 Weeks   $240
  3 Weeks   $360
  4 Weeks   $480
  5 Weeks   $600
  6 Weeks   $720
  7 Weeks   $840
  8 Weeks   $960
  9 Weeks   $1080
  10 Weeks   $1,200
  11 Weeks   $1,320
  12 Weeks   $1,440

Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »

Airport Pickup and Transfer to Galle (2 hours) $100/per person

Language and Culture $250

How your fee is allocated?

Program Fees Cover:

  • Accommodation (volunteer house or host family)
  • Food (only breakfast and dinnery)
  • Program Orientation
  • In-country support
  • Personalized project
  • Pre-departure information
  • Certificate of completion
  • Fundraising ideas and letters
  • Discount for returning volunteers

Program Fees Exclude:

  • Visas
  • Airfare
  • Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
  • Daily transportation
  • Airport return transfer

Accommodation and Meal

While volunteering in thisSri Lanka orphanage volunteer project you will stay with one of our respectable local host families who will provide you with three local delicious meals a day. Your host family is selected based on their experience hosting international volunteers and their ability to provide you with a safe and secure home for you to live. The family will welcome you and treat you as a member of the family as well as teach you their culture and introduce you to the community.

Read more about our wonderful host families in Sri Lanka.

For more readings:
Host Family
12 tips to enhance cultural experience in host families


Free Time and Weekends:

If you are worried about travelling while working, then worry no more. IFRE’s Sri Lanka orphanage volunteer project allows you a lot of time to explore the local area of Galle and the rest of the country. You will volunteer with the project for about 4-5 hours a day from Monday to Friday and the rest is free. Since Sri Lanka is a small country, over the weekend there is plenty of time to travel and experience the beauty of the entire country.

Learn more about the exciting things to do during your free time in Sri Lanka.


Safety and in Country Support

Your safety is our most important responsibility, and we take significant steps to make sure you always feel safe, comfortable and taken care of. We will support you with any necessary aid before you leave, and your in-country coordinator will be on-call 24/7 for the duration of your project should you require immediate assistance or advice with anything.

Read more about safety and in-country support in Sri lanka.

Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.

Volunteering in Sri Lanka Orphanage: FAQs

Arrival and departure

You should arrive at the Colombo International Airport to participate in our Sri Lanka volunteer project. Please pack required documents including your final placement sheet and arrive in Sri Lanka one day before your project work starts.

IFRE arranges airport pick up services for our volunteers. Please provide us your final flight information so that we can pick you up at the correct time. Our airport representative will be waiting for you at the arrival point. If your flight is missed or delayed, please inform us in advance so that we can arrange new pick up schedule.

IFRE does not provide airport drop off services but your host or in-country coordinator can help you organize that.

Visa

All travellers needElectronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to be able to enter Sri Lanka. Visa on arrival is not available so you need to secure tourist visa before heading to Sri Lanka for volunteering in orphanage project. You can extend your visa by paying a visit to the Department of Immigration in Colombo. Please visit for more detailed information.

Vaccination

You are advised to take required vaccinations before heading to Sri Lanka. Please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Health Canada or in Travelers' Health United Kingdom for detail information regarding required vaccination to visit in Sri Lanka. Vaccinations against Yellow Fever, Diphtheria & Tetanus, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A and B, Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Polio and Rabies are mainly required.

For further readings:
Vaccination
Volunteer Health and Safety
Safety tips for your volunteer abroad trip

Why volunteer in Orphanage Project in Sri Lanka

Volunteering in Sri Lanka Orphanage Volunteer opportunity is an amazing opportunity for you to a make a difference in the lives of underprivileged Sri Lankan kids and orphans.

Help change the lives of orphaned children

When you participate in this project you get the opportunity to give orphaned children healthy, secure and constructive childhoods. By providing much-needed care and support to orphaned children, you will positively change theirlives in the most worthwhile way possible.

Assist orphanages in their struggle to look after orphaned children

As a volunteer in orphanage abroad in Sri Lanka project, you will also get to help and assist the local orphanages in taking care of the children. You will be able to organize various activities including games, music, art, and painting and make sure that these children eat well, sleep well and live well while you are there.

Develop real and lasting relationships with orphans

The love and the care that you will provide the children with will make them feel loved and help them enjoy their childhood without any emotional disturbance or pressure. This way you will get the chance to develop real and lasting relationships with orphaned children.

Make a positive impact and provide a better future for orphans

Through your dedication and time spent with the orphaned children during our Sri Lanka orphanage volunteer project, you will get to take care and educate the children. Doing so will help you provide a better future for these destitute orphans who have no one else to depend upon.

Give your time to a cause greater than yourself

Taking part in this project will allow you to fully dedicate your time and effort into improving the lives of poor orphans. You will not only be able to save orphaned children from torture and exploitation but also give them a secure space to grow in and develop.

Other Volunteer Projects in Sri Lanka

IFRE arranges many different projects to suit all kinds of volunteers in Sri Lanka. Such as:

Teach English to disadvantaged kids or Buddhist monks

Work with elephants in Kegalle or Pinnawala,

Work in the medical field and much more.

Contact IFRE to learn which project fits you today!

Orphanage Volunteer Opportunities in Other Countries

Poverty and large numbers of orphans are problems across the globe. Due to this, IFRE organizes orphanage programs in a wide range of countries worldwide. For some of our most popular orphanage projects, see the list below:

Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.

Top destinations