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Empower Young Lives in Sri Lanka’s Tea Plantations – Volunteer with Tea Leaf Trust
Empower Young Lives in Sri Lanka’s Tea Plantations – Volunteer with Tea Leaf Trust
Tea Leaf Trust logo words with green tea leaf growing out of them
Tea Leaf Trust
4.92 · 26 reviews
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Tea Leaf Trust

 4.92 · 26 reviews
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Location
  • Sri Lanka
    • Badulla
Length
2 to 26 weeks
Project Types
Youth Education Teaching
Health & Safety
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Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Year Round

Pricing

$190
Price Details
In order to keep doing what we do, we need funds, and you can help! Once you have decided you want to come and volunteer for us we ask you to accept our challenge and be a tea-picker for a day. Your family and friends can sponsor you by donating. We ask you to raise 80 pounds, or 100$, for every week you stay to a maximum of 250 pounds (320$), although many of our volunteers are so inspired they raise much more! 100% of your contribution goes directly to the students and projects that you will be supporting.
What's Included
Some Meals Wifi
Jul 24, 2026
Wish List
2 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

About Program

Make a life-changing impact by helping young people from Sri Lanka’s tea-picking communities gain essential skills to break the cycle of poverty. The Tea Leaf Trust provides free education, offering students a rare opportunity to learn English, build confidence, and secure better job prospects.

As a volunteer, you will:
- Assist teachers in classrooms, helping students improve their spoken and written English.
- Engage in conversations to boost confidence, communication skills, and cultural exchange.
- Support exciting school events like talent shows, business fairs, and outreach programs.
- Help former students-turned-teachers develop English proficiency and teaching skills.

Our teachers are hungry to learn - do you have skills, qualifications, or experiences you could share? This is more than volunteering - it’s a movement to empower future generations. Whether you join for two weeks or six months, your impact will be lasting. Get in touch today to apply!

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Program Highlights

  • Experience a Sponsored Tea Pick – 85% of our students come from tea estate families Step into the shoes of a tea picker and gain firsthand insight into the challenging work behind Sri Lanka’s tea industry..
  • Live Among Stunning Tea Estates – Stay in small towns nestled among rolling tea fields in Sri Lanka’s breathtaking hill country.
  • Be Welcomed into a Warm, Resilient Community – The kindness and hospitality of the teachers and students will leave a lasting impact.
  • Make a Real Difference – Help young people gain essential skills, boost their confidence, and open doors to better opportunities, breaking the cycle of poverty.
  • Get Involved Beyond the Classroom – From talent shows to business fairs, there are countless ways to engage and create memories.

Video and Photos

TLT class

Program Impact

Over 80% of our students live on less than $1 a day, trapped in a cycle of poverty that has lasted for generations. At Tea Leaf Trust, education is the key to breaking this cycle. By improving their English and confidence, our students gain access to better jobs, higher education, and brighter futures.

Since 2010, we have:
✔ Educated 54,345 children & young people
✔ Helped 80% of students progress to employment or further education
✔ Enabled youth alumni to support 492,162 community members
Our impact goes beyond the classroom. These young people don’t just change their own lives - they lift their families out of extreme poverty and become leaders of change within the tea estates.

As founder Tim Pare says:
"We are passionate about building a Sri Lanka where all youth have a fair start, and tea estate communities live above the poverty line with dignity.”

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Program Reviews

4.92 Rating
based on 26 reviews
Leave a Review
  • 5 rating 92.31%
  • 4 rating 7.69%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.95
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.75
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.85
Good for Solo Travelers, Students, Adventure travelers
Showing 1 - 8 of 26 reviews
Lourdes
Female
Panama
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Education That Empowers Communities

Jul 24, 2026

My experience was unique because I got to see firsthand the impact Tea Leaf Trust has on its students and communities. Visiting both the Maskeliya and Amba centers showed me that the program is about much more than learning English, it helps students build confidence, dream bigger, and believe in their potential. I was also inspired by the teachers and staff, whose passion and genuine care create such a welcoming environment. Future participants should know that this is not just a volunteering trip; it's an opportunity to learn from the students, build real relationships, and leave feeling just as inspired as the people you came to support

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was definitely on my first day in Sri Lanka, on the drive to the Maskeliya Centre. I was talking with the driver about elephants, and he mentioned that it was a holiday, so there was a good chance we'd see elephants at temples or being transported. He was absolutely right! Just off the side of the road, we saw a huge elephant at a temple, and a little later we came across another one being transported on a truck. I was amazed to see how they managed to move such a massive animal. It made me laugh because back home in Panama, it's normal to see cows being transported in trucks, while in Sri Lanka it seemed to be the opposite, elephants were the ones on the trucks, and the cows were wandering freely along the roads!
Pros
  • Building personal connections with teachers and students
  • Learning about Sri Lanka's education system
  • Experiencing Sri Lankan traditions, from tea picking to wearing a saree
What other participants should know
  • Food options can be limited near the rural centers, especially if you don't eat spicy food.
44 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Jaelan
Male
United States
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Steeping Hope in Sri Lanka with Tea Leaf Trust

Jul 21, 2026

My summer with Tea Leaf Trust in Maskeliya was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I arrived hoping to teach technology and left with a deeper sense of purpose shaped by the generosity of teachers, students, and families who welcomed me as part of their community. I led workshops on artificial intelligence and digital tools and built a full stack gradebook system that the organization in now working to implement. What made the experience unique was how quickly I became part of daily life. Students shared their dreams and ambitions with such excitement that it reminded me of the power of education. Future participants should know that this program is immersive, community centered, and filled with opportunities to contribute in ways that matter. You will learn as much as you teach and you will leave with lasting connections and a renewed understanding of service.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go in ready to listen before you lead. The community will welcome you with real warmth, and the more open you are, the more you will learn. Take time to understand the rhythm of daily life and let relationships guide your work. Be flexible, be patient, and be willing to adapt your plans. The impact you make will come from collaboration and trust, not from arriving with all the answers. If you embrace the community fully, you will grow in ways you do not expect.
Pros
  • I was welcomed into classrooms and homes and became part of daily life rather than a visitor.
  • I led workshops on artificial intelligence and digital tools and built a gradebook system that the organization is now implementing.
  • I gained perspective, gratitude, and a clearer sense of purpose through relationships with teachers and students.
What other participants should know
  • I was teaching advanced tools in an environment where access to devices and stable internet can be limited.
  • The rhythm of the hill country is very different from the United States, so patience and flexibility are essential.
  • Working on certain projects in a real community setting means plans shift and you must adapt fairly quickly.
45 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Sushila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Memorable & Unique

May 18, 2026

Volunteering with Tea Leaf Trust in Sri Lanka was one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my life. The opportunity allowed me to immerse myself in a completely different culture while contributing to an organisation dedicated to improving educational opportunities for young people living in tea plantation communities. Through this experience, I developed a deeper understanding of social inequality, resilience, and the power of education to create long-term change. I would highly recommend this organisation for anyone just willing to help and throw themselves into a new environment!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring your best self to the experience and get involved!
Pros
  • Flexibility
  • Kindness
  • Inclusive
What other participants should know
  • None
53 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Clare
Female
United Kingdom
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering at Tea Leaf!

May 17, 2026

We had an amazing time at Tea Leaf in Maskeliya! The only reason I gave a 4 is that we could only go for 1 week, and I think we would have been able to get involved in more longer-term projects and had more of a meaningful impact if we could have been there for longer!

The planning/organisation side before you get to Sri Lanka is really smooth and professional, ask any questions at all!

Maskeliya is a small town in Central Sri Lanka, there are small shops and restaurants, so you’ll have the basics of what you need for your time there. I’d recommend dressing more modestly than perhaps you might on a hot holiday just out of respect. Walking around town we felt really comfortable and safe, everyone is super friendly.

The young people at Tea Leafe are so fun and keen to learn, we went just as they had finished the initial English programme, so some were still feeling a bit shy but over the days they definitely got used to seeing us and us being in the classrooms.

The teaching staff are EXCELLENT teachers to shadow, they really command a room while showing empathy and kindness towards the students, and they all have great sense of humour.

Our favourite thing was watching the rehearsals for the upcoming talent show, the young people are so confident and have amazing dancing and singing skills!

Spending time in Maskeliya and the surrounding area was a real highlight of our time in Sri Lanka. You are really off the beaten track of where most tourists go, and it is SO beautiful. On the weekend we went with Sushanthan, a TLT alumi, to Gartmoor Falls, which was unbelievably beautiful, so picturesque and serene. He was able to tell us all about the surrounding Tea Estates, and would stop to show us the panoramic views. I would recommend this to anyone, you can book with him through Get Your Guide.

We also did part of the Pekoe Trail with Abiya, a member of the TLT social media team who is a highly experienced and knowledgeable Pekoe Guide. She was able to tell us so much about the culture and nature in the area.

We weren’t able to have a tour of one of the nearby tea estates just due to not having time, but would definitely do that if we could! Maskeliya is also a good place to stay if you want to climb Adam’s Peak as it’s very nearby, if that’s your thing!

All in all, if you’re looking for a meaningful and sustainable volunteering experience where you get to be a small part of the amazing work being done by the team at Tea Leaf Trust, as well as experience a beautiful side of Sri Lanka, I would highly recommend Tea Leaf Trust. It was the most special part of our time in Sri Lanka, and we will be back!! 🍃❤️

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go into this experience with an open mind, you will learn from the people at TLT just as much as they will learn from you (if not more!). And get involved in the local area on weekends! This part of the world has some of the most beautiful scenery and nature, and the kindest most knowledgeable communities.
Pros
  • Kind and funny people
  • Beautiful nature
  • Good food!!!
What other participants should know
  • Not there long enough!
  • Not really a con, but can be helpful to hire a car if you can! Just makes it easier to get there from Colombo, and explore the area around Maskeliya
55 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Gartmoor Falls
Sammy
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience of Tea Leaf Trust

May 17, 2026

My time working with Tea Leaf Trust was excellent! I was blown away by the enthusiasm of both the staff and children. I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with everyone involved there and would recommend to anyone to work there. Whilst volunteering at Tea Leaf Trust, I was inspired by the students' and teachers' optimism and general happiness. Every day, the students had a thirst for knowledge: when I joined in early March, they could already hold detailed conversations with me, which impressed me very much.

57 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Natalie
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

How English Schools Should Be Run

Aug 29, 2025

During my time at TLT, I got to experience how an English School should be run. Both the teachers and the students were incredibly welcoming and made me feel apart of the team from day 1. The daily structure for me was that of a school. Attending daily lessons, helping with after school programs, and sitting in on after school meetings. I would recommend this volunteer program to anyone interested in working in schools or who wants to experience how an end to end well run volunteer program is led.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I had to go to the Hospital for reasons unrelated to volunteering and on my bus journey there and back and while at the hospital, I met 3 graduates from TLT! It was amazing to see the impact they had on the community and hear their stories about their current schooling, jobs, and families
107 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Tadeáš
Male
Czechia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Young student prespective

Aug 14, 2025

When I was planning this volunteering, I knew it was gonna be awesome, like, hey, volunteering in a school in Sri Lanka, what could go wrong? Little did I know that this experience would redefine the whole concept of awesomeness. It was really something that touched my heart and opened new paths I want to go in life. I will never forget.

What was your funniest moment?
I expierenced dj party, witch basicly mean the whole school gathered in a hallway and speakers started playto the fullest and everybody including me went wild. In a few minutes i was all covered in swet. Never forget those smiles, they were everywhere, that day I saw thousnds of them, and they were wonderful.
Pros
  • The feeling you are part of it
  • Smiles from pure kindness
  • Oportunity to help
What other participants should know
  • Some day it will be over and you will be left with memories, witch you want to reexpierenced once again.
104 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Selfie with female students on sports day
Abinaya
Female
Switzerland
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering at TLT - A life-changing experience

Jul 31, 2025

I spent unforgettable three weeks at the TLT centre Bogawantalawa where, in addition to my volunteer work, I also had the opportunity to discover the breathtaking landscape, gain a deeper insight into the everyday lives of the people and make some genuine friendships with teachers and students.

From the first day, I felt wholeheartedly welcomed by the teaching staff. The attitude toward life of the teachers and students was impressive, considering the difficult conditions in which they live. What inspired me most was the generous support they give each other, regardless of how much they themselves have.

If you're looking for an unique experience you should definitely volunteer at TLT!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Teaching skills are not essential – don't let that put you off!
Pros
  • lovely community
  • excellent coordination (volunteer coordinator)
  • no fixed dates to start/end
What other participants should know
  • for solo volunteers they might feel lonely at some point as most schools are in rural areas, but for me it wasn't a problem
99 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
landscape
teaching staff bogawantalawa
students showing me longest railway tunnel in upcountry

Community Questions

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Keith Ledbury

Program
Empower Young Lives in Sri Lanka’s Tea Plantations – Volunteer with Tea Leaf Trust
Keith Ledbury

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this programme because a teacher who worked for me when I was a Primary School Headteacher got involved with the charity and he recommended it to me as something I might like to get involved in when I retired. It suited me because I was keen to use my experience in education to support a charity in a third-world country.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The Tea Leaf Trust has a designated Volunteer Co-ordinator who works with any volunteer who expresses an interest in helping with the charity. This included a couple of initial telephone conversations and then lots of further advice once both parties agreed it was a suitable placement. I felt very well-supported in terms of my preparation for the experience.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I think the main piece of advice I would give is to expect the unexpected!

In the same way that it is very difficult to explain to someone what a huge impact having a child will have on your life, it is hard to explain just how life-transforming supporting a charity in a third-world country can be. It is certainly not something to enter into lightly, but, if you go into it very well-prepared, it could be one of the most amazing experiences you will ever have in your life.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

There was no average day/week for me in the work I did with Tea Leaf Vision, as it was so varied across the 3 months I spent working for them.

I had two 'home-bases' in Nuwara Eliya and Maskeliya, where I was attached to the Tea Leaf Vision Schools there, but I also spent some time travelling around Sri Lanka, visiting Sri Lanka Unites Regional Youth Reconciliation Centres, as Tea Leaf Vision provided many of the teachers working in those centres. The fact that it was so varied made it all the more enjoyable for me, but it also meant that I had to be extremely flexible, as I was never quite sure exactly what I would be doing from one day to the next.

I didn't find that particularly challenging, as being a Headteacher in a Primary School was also never the same from one day to the next, so, hopefully, I entered into the experience as a very adaptable, flexible person. Had I not been like this, I think I might have found it quite daunting at times.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I think my biggest fear was that I would not be as much use to the Tea Leaf Trust as I hoped I would be. As a Primary School practitioner all my working life, I knew I would be working with 18-24-year-old students learning English, so I was apprehensive about how my skill-set would adapt to the situation out there. However, my reservations were very quickly dispelled as I found out that my skills were very generic and ideally suited to the tasks I was given once I was out there.

My other big concern was how I would adapt to living in an extremely different culture, but I was delighted to find out how much I not only got used to living in a very different culture but actually embraced it and began to learn a great deal from it too. Alternative cultures are not better or worse and should not be treated as such; they are just very different and there is so much that we can learn from and benefit from in a new culture. I loved that aspect of being in Sri Lanka and I felt it had a huge impact on me, to the extent that I think I came back a different person.

Is there any other advice for prospective travelers?

I think prospective travelers want to know a variety of things, depending on their previous experience of working abroad in a very different culture. For someone like me, who had never lived or worked abroad in a third-world country, I had very little idea of what to expect, so the thing that made the biggest difference to me was to make sure that I was as well-prepared beforehand as I could be. Taking on board the advice of the charity you are supporting is crucial, as is speaking to as many people as you can who have actually spent time in the country you are going to.

I think, given my time again, I would have read up even more about Sri Lanka so that I was more aware of the political and social context of what I was entering into, as this would have helped me to understand the local people more quickly.

About Tea Leaf Trust

Tea.. it's always there for you. However, people from tea-estate communities within Sri Lanka face many problems on a daily basis; low wages, gender inequality, alcohol and substance abuse, violence against women and suicide rates are very high. Tea Leaf Trust offers educational programs to children and young adults from these communities. We aim...

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