Volunteering in Sri Lanka: Rewarding Projects in a Tropical Paradise
Join one of our projects for volunteering in Sri Lanka, a charming country with no equal in the world. In this tropical country with a smiling sun all year round and golden beaches, you can participate in fascinating and rewarding volunteer projects.
Volunteering in Sri Lanka at fascinating locations like Badulla or Colombo
You can choose between social and educational projects, an environmental volunteer program in the preservation of sea turtles or stages of medicine and psychology at the modern Hospital of Colombo.
After all, you can even participate in meditation at a Buddhist monastery.
Whatever voluntary program you choose, you will discover ancient cities, take in exciting safaris, and experience the rich and colorful culture. In addition, you can practice adventure sports and make friends with lovely people … where else can you get all this in one place?
Sri Lanka: a gem located at the Southern tip of India
As Sri Lanka is located at the tip of India, this small exotic island provides a tropical climate. The island reveals itself as gem that is abundant with wonderful discoveries for any tourist or volunteer. Whether it’s a journey of exploring the desert, a holiday of Ayurvedic well-being, a relaxing getaway in the sun, or even that quick business trip, there is something for everyone.
Read some reviews of our volunteers in Asia:
You stay my Favorite. You are my Nepali family! – Alice from France
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Valérie had a hands on Medical Volunteering Experience in Thailand
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Teaching at school in India: Patricia and Rui from Portugal
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Caregiving and Teaching for Children at a Day Care in Cambodia
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Volunteering at a Buddhist Monastery in Nepal was the Best Decision of my Life
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Lailana from Australia caring for children in India
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A dream come true: Isabella traveled to South Africa and cared for children in a kindergarten
This trip was first and foremost a dream come true, I had long wanted to visit South Africa and this country did not leave anything to wish for, was everything I expected and a little more. The voluntary work option came because I’m passionate about this type of trip, so I went to an NGO where most of the money was spent on the project and found Iko Poran, who also had the advantage of being much more into account that tourism companies that offer this kind of trip, I chose a project with children in a township, and then, with the tickets bought (TAAG airlines) I went to what would be the best and biggest adventure of my life.
My first days in Cape Town
A dream come true in South Africa
The first few days were quiet, I was introduced to the other residents of the house (who later became good friends) and then the next day I met the group of children I would be a volunteer teacher, I was received with shouts and celebrations, “teachá” was like they called me every day, it is impossible not to fall in love. The Township where I worked was called Masiphumelele, but called Masi affectionately, it was not the hostile and dangerous place they painted, so the importance of entering a culture before to judge her, as soon as I arrived, the transfer company’s own girl said that it was very dangerous to take the vans leaving from the townships, that was the transport I took every day and I never had any kind of problem, people from the townships are cheerful, friendly and very helpful and the children are very well cared for despite all the poverty that can not be denied that exists there.
Volunteer work at the day care center during the week and weekend trips
I worked about 3 hours a day in the morning and had the afternoon and the free weekends, I usually stayed with the other volunteers at home during the week and during the weekend we would make group tours to explore the region. In contrast with the poverty of Masi, it was the place where the volunteers’ residence was located, Fish Hoek, is a rich region and I did not suffer any kind of harassment or insecurity during the whole stay there, definitely a place I recommend, mainly for those who will stay longer, besides having one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen in life. Fish Hoek is an hour by train from Cape Town and is 20 minutes from Muizenberg, one of the most famous beaches there and where are the largest surfing schools, I even took a chance and got waves, I got to stand on the board by 20 seconds, what for me is a win hahaha
Dream like Beaches: Penguin Beach near Cape Town
Praia dos Pinguins
Because of the distance from the Cape Town sights, I only got to know two (yes, I did not go up to Table Mountain, I did not go to Robben Island or Cape of Good Hope) but I want to go back to do everything, I met the V & A Waterfront and to Boulder’s Beach, the famous Penguin Beach, I really enjoyed Cape Town and despite the reports of harassment and insecurity I was able to walk around quietly without any of it, my tip is: do everything in a group if possible and try to stay close to the tourist areas.
Trip to Jacobs Bay
In my penultimate week we made a trip to Jacobs Bay which was amazing, starting with the hostel called Jacobs Bay Backpackers and had a whole fairy tale, one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed, no doubt. The beaches were indescribable and the Peaceful feeling was something present in any corner, very few tourists and much to be admired. The trip cost 600 rand (about 200 reais) per person, including car rental, gasoline, hostel and food, we were in a group of 9 people .
Dica para futuros voluntários na África do Sul
My tip for anyone who wants to do any kind of volunteer work, especially in South Africa is: ONLY GO! I hope it changes your life, just as it changed mine. – Isabella Neves, Brazil
Read Isabella’s original post on “Mochileiros” (portuguese).
Visit our project for volunteer work with children at Doreen’s Day Care, in Cape Town South Africa. There you also find, how to sign up!
More experiences from our volunteers in South Africa
Michel teaching Samba for the Children at a Daycare in South Africa
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Volunteer to Rescue Cats and Dogs in Cape Town
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Camilla has been Volunteering in a Creche with children in Cape town
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Caring for Orphaned Animals of the African Bush: Ricardo from Brazil
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Advocating for Children in South Africa: Dr. Hugo Tolomei from Brazil
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Health Screen of the Children in South Africa: Dr. Ana Elisa & Dr. Fernanda Rangel
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Volunteer to Rescue Cats and Dogs in Cape Town
Animal Rescue Centre with Veterinary Services
Make a difference for the lives of township dogs and cats in need as a volunteer at the animal rescue centre in Cape Town. Of course this animal rescue program is a perfect fit for veterinary students, but anyone who loves animals and wants to help, is welcome. Volunteers can even do a great job with marketing, website developing or renovating the remises.
The animal centres mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home domestic animals, as well as provide veterinary services to the poorer local communities. The centre aims to care for animals in the poor township who suffered from being abandoned, abuse or neglection.
The Rescue Team in Action
After rescuing the dogs and cats in the neighborhood, you can assist the centre’s team while applying the best veterinary and animal behavioural practices. Finally, the team prepares the animals for adoption into new homes.
The centre also plays a vital role in re-uniting lost animals with their guardians and carries out veterinary outreach and humane education in low income areas.
Veterinary Assistants focus on Sterilizations and Treatment of Injured Animals
This pro-quality life centre has a full-time veterinarian on site and veterinary assistants who focus on sterilizations and treatment of injured animals. The feral cat project sterilizes over 300 cats alone a month. One of the core aims of the onsite clinic is to control the unwanted births of dogs and cats in low-income areas, and sterilisation of all treated animals is mandatory. Sterilisation drives, including door-to-door canvassing, have resulted in fewer unwanted puppies and kittens. The clinic staff operate two Mobile Clinic vans that, on a pre-arranged schedule, serve the low-income areas offering primary healthcare for animals in these communities as well as free sterilisations, which is carried out at the centres hospital.
This centre is dedicated to improving the lives of neglected, abused, and unwanted homeless animals and being a volunteer means being the best part of a homeless animal’s day!
Highlights of your Volunteer Trip
- Help cats and dogs get proper healthcare
- Aid injured animals with their recovery.
- Help the Vets in the clinic
- Assist animal welfare officers with mobile clinics in townships
- Participate in animal rescues (We’d be very happy for assistance from the volunteers however feral cat rescues happen in the evening not during the day also, on weekend.)
- Assist with animal adoption
- Assist with animal stimulation
Your Role as an Animal Volunteer or Veterinary Intern
As a volunteer you will receive exposure to a vast variety of cases that you would not normally be exposed to in private practice, making a great working for potential veterinarians, vet nurses, animal welfare officers or companion animals enthusiasts.
As a volunteer you will assist with:
- Assist at the centres hospital – prepping animals for surgery
- On mobile units, you can help the animal welfare officers
- Caring for animals in recovery and ensuring their environment is hygienic
- Marketing, fundraising and public relations assistance
- Helping with day to day running of the clinic/hospital
- Assist with animal husbandry and feeding
- Cat and kitten socialisation
- General maintenance, such as gardening, building and painting
- Please take note that volunteers may not perform any surgical procedures or diagnose animals.
We would welcome volunteers with the following experience:
- ANYONE who loves animals
- Veterinary qualification
- Marketing and public relations
- Website development and electronic newsletters
- Building, painting and project management
How to join the Animal Rescue Project as a Volunteer
Visit all wildlife volunteering programs in South Africa here. You can find the project for Animal Rescue in Cape Town on our homepage, too.
More Wildlife Volunteer Experiences and Projects in South Africa
Caring for Orphaned Animals of the African Bush: Ricardo from Brazil
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Marine biology internship at the Aquarium in Cape Town
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Wildlife Volunteering in South Africa: The Most Wonderful Three Months of My Life!
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Animal Volunteering in South Africa: Pedro Henrique with his new friends
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Wildlife Veterinary Internship at a Five Star Game Reserve in South Africa
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Unforgettable experience with Elephants in South Africa
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