Location
  • Sri Lanka
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
17
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
270
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Feb 10, 2025
Jun 25, 2024
118 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Volunteer in Sri Lanka with Plan My Gap Year (PMGY), an award-winning international organisation offering safe, trusted, and affordable programs in the heart of this tropical paradise. Based in the coastal town of Ambalangoda, PMGY provides a variety of programs, including Childcare, Dog Rescue, English Teaching, Medical and Mental Health and Turtle Conservation, opportunities.

Our volunteer in Sri Lanka programs begin on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, running year-round with flexible durations from 1 to 24 weeks. Volunteers stay in a comfortable Volunteer House, enjoying freshly prepared meals and a vibrant community atmosphere. With comprehensive pre-departure support, airport pick-up, engaging orientation, and dedicated local assistance, PMGY ensures a seamless and rewarding experience.

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

Plan My Gap Year is committed to providing ethical volunteer opportunities that truly benefit the local communities. We have personally vetted all of our Volunteer Programs in every destination. We support a small network of Volunteer Programs abroad that we have specifically chosen due to their efforts being sustainable for our volunteers and the local communities alike. We work closely with each of our local teams to ensure we are assessing and adapting to ensure quality experiences for all involved.

For this reason, PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

Program Highlights

  • Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.
  • Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.
  • Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.
  • Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.
  • Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.

Popular Programs

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On this exotic island, eager children are ready to learn from dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in supporting their growth and development.

Portfolio-Sri-Lanka-Dogs.jpg

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of street dogs in Sri Lanka. Join efforts to ensure they enjoy a happy, healthy upbringing and a brighter future.

Portfolio-Sri-Lanka-Teaching_0.jpg

Teach English to Buddhist Monks or children from families affected by the Tsunami, providing a valuable skill to enhance their future opportunities.

Portfolio-Sri-Lanka-Medical_0.jpg

Gain invaluable educational medical experience in this stunning part of the world — a must for anyone pursuing a medical career.

Portfolio-Sri-Lanka-Mental-Health.jpg

Expand your understanding of mental health in a new culture through a combination of lectures, meditations, consultations, and community projects.

Program Reviews

4.88 Rating
based on 126 reviews
  • 5 rating 88.89%
  • 4 rating 10.32%
  • 3 rating 0.79%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.65
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.9
  • Program Selection 5
  • Pre-departure Help 5
  • In-program Support 5
  • Impact on Student 5
  • Value 5
Showing 17 - 24 of 126 reviews
Default avatar
Jaime
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic

Everything was fantastic, the people the place and above all the experience. The program is well structured, leaving loads of free time that you can use to explore Sri lankas coast both during the evenings and at weekends, when you are free to travel away. Not only once arrived there, The pre-departure support which PMGY offers is amazing and I felt very prepared for my trip! When I booked my trip I got added to a Facebook group to chat with my fellow volunteers which really gave me peace at heart. This was my first solo trip but the volunteer handbook helped so much for my preparation towards the project. Ashika and the team are great and everyone is very helpful.

Pros
  • People
  • Outside and weekend activities
  • Safety
Cons
  • Some time is wasted after having food
148 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just book and go!

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Pros
  • Meeting so many people from all over the world!
  • Volunteering gives you a whole other experience compared to just going and sight seeing.
  • Everyday is different!
137 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best two months in Sri Lanka

I spent 8 weeks in Sri Lanka and it was an incredible experience!
It’s hard to say anything negative about the pre-departure support. Whatever I had in mind I got an answer, sometimes even in few minutes! In country Ash and the rest of the local team were always happy to help when needed and with their help we got to experience so much more than what a ”normal” tourist would experience! I did the childcare project at girls home and everyday I left the project with a smile on my face. When we taught them English, they taught us to dance in return!

I highly recommend PMGY Sri Lanka, my advice is to book flexible flights because you might want to extend your trip!

131 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

PMGY Sri Lanka

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What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to embrace everything that comes your way, even if it is unfamiliar! You never know until you try, and for me this mentality ended up giving me experiences that I will cherish forever.
133 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sri Lanka PMGY Childcare Project

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153 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Elephant experience project

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137 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life

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What would you improve about this program?
I couldn’t fault a single thing with this programme. I recommend to absolutely anyone willing to try new things
147 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tejaswini
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Farm

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132 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers