Caring for children in the morning, surfing in the afternoon and karaoke in the evening - hear about my 2 weeks volunteering in Sri Lanka!
I volunteered on the childcare program in Sri Lanka for two weeks in August. This was my first time travelling solo, and I could not recommend the Mighty Roar more as a chance to make friends and adjust to travelling in a supportive but independent environment. I flew out via Dubai, so inevitably, I was exhausted by the time I landed.
However, it could not be easier to get to the accommodation as straight out of the gate TMR picked us up in a small group of 3, sorted us out with sim cards and cash and then we drove to the accommodation. It was a bit overwhelming at first however, because all of the new people get in on the same day, everyone is super willing to chat and get to know each other. Being in a dorm of 8, you had friends right from the get-go, with a mix of new people and people who had been here for a while to help show you the ropes.
"The team make the trip as smooth and easy as it can be, they will do anything to make your trip better!"
On our first day, we had a welcome briefing and an amazing tour of the local area, including a beautiful waterfall. I found this a great way to get to know new people and the practicalities of the area in a way that still felt both organised and independent. Right from the start, everyone was very friendly and this whole day was the best start to an amazing trip.
Volunteering started the next day, and it was so sweet getting to know the kids and seeing what we would be up to over the coming weeks. While the kids do not speak much English, they are super funny and love playing games outside. We volunteered every working morning, teaching English, helping the teachers with their lesson plans and playing, but the afternoons were our own. Volunteering in the morning helped me get to know new friends in your program and also formulate plans for the afternoon.
I found having afternoons off was just enough time to get out of the local area and visit some new sites. On our afternoons off, we took the bus to Hikkaduwa for dinners out and surfing on Turtle Beach, Galle to look through the local shops and Weligama for brunch and more surfing.
One piece of advice is honestly not to worry about getting the local buses. We used them to travel all over the island, and they are by far the cheapest and often quickest way to get around. They seem daunting at first, but they are so much fun, with loud music and great people watching. The local team are super helpful and will help make any weekend or day trip happen for you. They will tell you when and where you need to get the bus or if you are more comfortable with a car they will organise this for you as well. The team make the trip as smooth and easy as it can be, they will do anything to make your trip better!
One highlight for me was Wednesday's karaoke night at the accommodation. We would set the projector and mics up and spend all evening taking turns performing. It was the best way to get to know new people at the accommodation and break the ice over songs and snacks. Another highlight for me was the afternoon beach days both in Hikkaduwa and literally across the road in Akurula; this was the best way to relax after a morning of volunteering.
Overall, I could not recommend TMR enough, the hands-on support of both the local and external teams made this trip the best it can be. If you are thinking about doing it, go for it! You really will not regret it!
