Volunteering at Tea Leaf!

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!! 🍃❤️