Voluntary Project Overview

Many Sri Lankan families living in the outlying villages are not able to afford the transport costs or fees of sending their children to the better off schools in the cities.  Consequently, their children do not have access to good educational facilities and many not have the chance to learn English to a decent degree, progress beyond a basic education or compete for the more desirable jobs (often in the tourist sector).

MondoChallenge volunteers are helping to compensate for this lack of resources by providing fluent English language skills, as well as energy and creative teaching techniques in village schools.

The projects are well organised so that volunteers can make a good contribution in a relatively short amount of time.  Pre-departure briefings and continuous support by the locally based manager helps with preparation and enables volunteers to maximise their contribution as well as their own enjoyment.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

Working alongside local staff or filling in for absent teachers, MondoChallenge volunteers are providing English language classes and inter-active, fun-based learning activities for the children.

Typical activities include teaching English and other subjects, as well as helping with arts and crafts, music and sporting activities after school.

This is fantastic opportunity for volunteers to gain insights and experience of Sri Lankan schools and to make a difference to the education of delightful and highly motivated students. In addition to the satisfying chance to contribute something to poor communities, many volunteers feel that they gain even more themselves, just by participating in the simplicity of the village life and the strong Buddhist values which permeate the lifestyles of the families.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

Previously, volunteers have found themselves involved a number of extra-curricular activities at their schools. These have included organising school plays and other exhibitions.

Outside of the school hours, many volunteers are invited to participate in local festivals and cultural events. Extra tuition and English classes are often in demand, and some volunteers have taken part in various community development projects, including orphanages or tsunami-related development work.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

Volunteers should be at least 18 years old, and be prepared to immerse themselves in a new culture and a different way of life. Prior teaching experience is not essential. Enthusiasm, energy, resourcefulness and an open mind are crucial, however, as are an interest in education and a affinity for children.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Sri Lanka has a variety of stunning landscapes packed into a small island, from tea plantations to beaches. Sri Lankans are famed for their welcoming attitude and you will certainly find the welcome you receive at the projects to be no exception!

The schools themselves are based in villages and small towns situated approximately 30-45 minutes outside Sri Lanka’s historic city, Kandy, right in the centre of the country.

Volunteers live with local families in the villages, and are often struck by the generosity of their hosts and the amazing variety in the food – from tropical fruits growing in the gardens, to rich spices and delicate curries.

What’s included in your Programme Fee?

• Project selection and placement - Our in-country teams work constantly to identify and select projects that are doing exemplary work in developing countries but need your skills and effort. Our staff are in dialogue with you to ensure that we choose a project that really needs you, where you will use your skills and contribute, because at MondoChallenge, we believe that a great volunteering experience is largely dependant on matching you with the right project
• Pre Departure Briefing - Before you leave, we will arrange for a pre departure briefing where we help you with small but extremely helpful details on your chosen destination. Things like: what to pack, local culture and customs, food, safety and precautions if any - simple things to make your life easier!
• Guidance for processing visa - MondoChallenge will arrange for any relevant documents and guide you through the visa process.
• Airport Pick Up - Arriving in a new city and not knowing where to go and how to go can be quite unnerving. A MondoChallenge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your place of stay where you can put your feet up after a long flight.
• In country Orientation and Welcome Pack - When you arrive at your location, you will be given an orientation where you could meet other volunteers from MondoChallenge, learn all about your location, how to find your way around, where to get SIM cards for the phone, small bits that you will need help sorting out in the first few days.
• In Country Support - Our local co-ordinators are there to guide you through out your stay. They will make sure that you are settled at your project, are comfortable with your accommodation and provide guidance on local culture and customs to ensure that you have a memorable and rewarding experience.
• Accommodation - In most cases you stay with a local host family. It gives you a taste of the daily life of a local. You will be sharing a room with another volunteer, however if you prefer to have a single room to youself, this can be arranged but a cost supplement may apply. If you prefer totally independent accommodation, this maybe possible in certain areas at an additional cost and our Programme Managers will be able to assist you with this.
• Breakfast and Dinner - Local home cooked food, will be provided at the home stays. This gives you a chance to experience local dishes.
• Optional Contribution to the Education Grant - The Educational Grant helps projects like the one you will volunteer with, to get basic infrastructure and resources. Open air schools need a roof, some need tables or chairs and some need books for children. We identify needs and constantly work at improving the conditions at our partner projects. We also encourage you to identify needs at your project and let our local management know of any specifics that you feel may help. The grants are made through our registered charity, FutureSense Foundation (Charity No: 1132101). In the project fee above we recommend an optional contribution towards these grants. If you would like to fund raise or contribute further amounts towards this directly to the foundation we can assist you through the process.

Not Included:

• International Flights
• Visa and Travel insurance Costs
• Vaccination
• Local Transport and Travel
• Personal Expenses

Project photos

Testimonials