Youth, Community & Cultural Exchange

1. Maharagama Youth Engagement
   • Location: Maharagama (near Colombo)
   • Project Focus: Engage with local youth in cultural and volunteer programs.
   • Community Highlights: Connect with hospitable youth and participate in youth-led social
   initiatives.
2. Bandarawela Homestay Experience
   • Location: Bandarawela
   • Project Focus: Stay with a HOPE Volunteers member family to experience Sri Lankan culture.
   • Community Highlights: Immerse in local culture, cuisine, and volunteer work in the hill country.
3. Wellawaya Children Care Center
   • Location: Hadapanagala, Wellawaya
   • Project Focus: Volunteer at Methsiri Sevana Children’s Care Center, providing care and education to underprivileged children.
   • Community Highlights: Support children in need.
4. Bandarawela Child Care Center
   • Location: Bandarawela
   • Project Focus: Contribute to the Bidunuwewa Child Care Center, which provides shelter and education for children.
   • Community Highlights: Support local development in the highlands.
5. Bandarawela Elderly Care Center
   • Location: Bandarawela
   • Project Focus: Volunteer at the Lonely Patient Care Center, providing care for the elderly and isolated.

Volunteers can impact communities by:

• Engaging with youth to support development and cultural exchange (e.g., Maharagama Youth).
• Aiding children in care centers through education and support (e.g., Bidunuwewa, Wellawaya).
• Caring for the elderly in facilities like the Lonely Patient Care Center.
• Promoting cultural immersion and understanding through homestays.

These opportunities allow volunteers to contribute to community growth, social welfare, and cross-cultural connection in Sri Lanka.

Discover the heart of Sri Lanka by volunteering with Volunteer To The World.  This opportunity allows you to immerse yourself in the island’s rich culture and contribute meaningfully to local communities in diverse and beautiful settings. From the vibrant youth of Maharagama to the serene hills of Bandarawela, your involvement can directly impact the lives of children, the elderly, and the community as a whole, offering a unique and rewarding travel experience.

Children’s Care Centers (e.g., Bidunuwewa, Wellawaya):

• Limited Resources: These centers often operate with limited funding and staff. This can affect the level of care, educational support, and resources available to the children. Volunteers can help supplement these resources by providing additional attention, tutoring, and organizing activities.

Care for the Elderly (e.g., Lonely Patient Care Center):

• Social Isolation: Elderly individuals, especially those in care facilities, can experience loneliness and isolation. Volunteers can provide companionship, engage in conversation, and offer emotional support, significantly improving their well-being.

Community and Youth Development (e.g., Maharagama Youth):

• Empowerment and Skill Sharing: Communities, particularly youth, may benefit from empowerment and skill-sharing initiatives. Volunteers can contribute by sharing knowledge in areas like language, technology, or sustainable practices, enhancing their capabilities and opportunities.

• Volunteers must be 18+ to join this program. Volunteers who are interested to join below 18 can apply if they are accompanied by a parent of guardian.
• Volunteers should speak fluent English
• Volunteers should have an interest in learning about education, community development and caring for the elderly
• Experience in teaching, community development or elderly care is a plus, but not a requirement for this program

•  Maharagama Youth: Located near Colombo, it is known for its active and welcoming youth who are involved in cultural and volunteer programs. The area has a warm and humid climate.
•  Bandarawela: Nestled in the hill country, Bandarawela offers a cool and mild climate with scenic views, fresh mountain air, and warm hospitality. It is known for its tea estates, tranquil environment, and cultural diversity.
•   Wellawaya: This area, specifically Hadapanagala, is located in the warmer lowlands and is the site of the Methsiri Sevana Children’s Care Center, which supports underprivileged children.
• Colombo: The starting point for the scenic train ride to Ella, Colombo is a tropical area.

Day 1: Arrival and pick up from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Columbo and introduction to homestay.  Airport

Day 2: Morning: registration and start of orientation. About 4 hours lecture at the home of your host. Topics covered during orientation lecture will include Sri Lankan culture, history, customs, politics, geography, and necessary health precautions. The afternoon is free for exploring Sri Lankan life and getting to know your host family.