Highlights

Do something different - volunteer abroad in Sri Lanka with a choice of projects to suit all

Make a difference - Up to 12 days project work (and you choose how many days to work or relax)

Wonderful 3* beachside hotel

Sri Lanka optional excursions - great opportunities for sightseeing

Great family voluntourism holiday during the school summer break

Responsible travel - this tour includes carbon offsetting

Introduction

Spend two weeks at the glorious Coral Sands Hotel, just north of Galle on the south west coast of Sri Lanka. Divide your time between relaxing, sightseeing, and assisting on various development projects, all of which are run by and for local people, and funded through the cost of your holiday.

Hikkaduwa

The perfect base for your stay! Hikkaduwa is a popular beach destination on the south west coast of Sri Lanka, about 20km to the north west of Galle. Situated opposite the only marine park in Sri Lanka, the resort has a great beach and glass bottom boats offer fantastic views of the coral reefs just offshore. For those who want to get a closer view of the coral and marine life, complete diving facilities are also available.

Volunteer projects

Hikkaduwa was an area which was massively affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami and, years later, the area is still suffering the consequences. There are therefore a number of projects in the area which we will be supporting, many focusing on enabling people to escape poverty and return to self-sufficient livelihoods following the devastation. The projects are varied, ensuring that everyone on our trip will have something positive to contribute, and for those wanting to get their hands dirty – there will certainly be opportunities to work alongside the locals in helping renovate community buildings. Those with specific professional transferable skills can really make a difference through skill-sharing with their local colleagues, but there is something for everybody – all you need is enthusiasm!

Sri Lanka volunteer projects have included house reconstruction, refurbishment of essential buildings, teaching, helping out at local orphanages or elderly care homes, beach clearing, building libraries, work in a nursing training college and other general environmental works.

Family volunteering

Do something different and make a difference and volunteer as a family! If you have children, why not take this as a really positive family holiday during the school summer break? Younger generations are concerned about their world environment and eager to make travel responsible. Your trip could enable and empower you to discover how other world communities live, give a great deal of perspective, nurture understanding and appreciation, provide a great bonding experience through making a contribution as a family and at a beachside location too! Introduce your children to the benefits of volunteer travel and educate, enable and inspire them to be the force for change and good in tourism.

Coral Sands Hotel

Situated directly opposite the broad clean beach of Hikkaduwa, the Coral Sands Hotel has 75 en suite bedrooms, each with a beautiful view of the calm and crystal clear ocean. The rooms are air-conditioned, with a private balcony/ terrace, telephone and TV on request. There is a large garden, two swimming pools and a children’s pool, and the sea opposite the hotel is perfectly safe for swimming throughout the year.

Optional excursions

Optional excursions include visits to the amazing hill town of Kandy, returning through the gem mining area of Ratnapura. You can also take a day-trip to see the wonders of the natural rain forests of Yala National Park. Optional extensions to your holiday include visits to the ancient cities of the central highlands, around Polonnaruwa, and for those with a head for heights, why not take a trip to see the 'Lion Rock' of Sigariya.

One of the things we hope you get out of your Sri Lanka holiday is a sense of fulfilment at having made a difference to the lives of many local people. But we also want to make sure that you have opportunities to socialise with others in your party, and make friendships that will last a lifetime. We will make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for fun to help you relax and recharge your batteries after such valuable work.