PMGY - Volunteer in Sri Lanka from $270

If you’re considering going to Sri Lanka, definetely do it! I had the best 9 weeks of my life there, and have made so many amazing friends and had so many amazing experiences.
I was supposed to stay with PlanMyGapYear in Sri Lanka for six weeks, but ended up extending for three more weeks because I found it so amazing there. And if I hadn’t already made plans after that, I would have extended for even longer.

Everyone comes to PMGY with an open mind and is ready to make new friends and experiences. Not to say that the local team in Sri Lanka is amazing. They do everything in their power to make you feel welcome and happy, from several afternoon activities during the week to checking if you’re okay if they sense that something is wrong. The local team practically becomes family while you’re there, and they do so much to let you into their culture and everyday life.

The projects in Sri Lanka are very well-organised, and I woke up and really wanted to go to project every day. I can especially recommend the turtle project, but from what I have heard from everyone else who was there during my nine weeks, all of the projects are amazing. PMGY Sri Lanka also has a lot of different projects to offer, so if you’re not loving the project that you originally chose, you can always switch to another volunteering project.

I am definitely gonna go back to my second home in Sri Lanka, and I would recommend everyone to go and get an experience of a lifetime with PMGY Sri Lanka.

PMGY Sri Lanka was such an amazing experience! The local team is amazing, they help you with literally everything and they do it with patience and care, they want you to have the absolute best experience possible! The programs are so great and rewarding as well! I did the childcare program and loved it, the kids are so sweet, you make a big difference and it’s so clear when you see the kids, that you simply won’t want to leave once it’s time. You can also switch between different programs or combine multiple programs in one day. The country itself is also amazing and beautiful! During my time in Sri Lanka (six weeks) I was able to see so much of the country. In the afternoons there was more than enough time to explore close by, the local team is more than willing to help you set this up. We had daily activities at the house, such as street food tours, badminton nights, karaoke, organized by the local team. I did all the weekend trips and I highly recommend them; you’ll get to experience the culture and see the beautiful nature. On the weekends without a PMGY organized weekend trip, you can still go away for the weekend together with other volunteers and, for example, go surfing in Weligama (if you have the time, you should definitely do this)! There is so much freedom to do whatever you want, I felt safe and cared for the entire time I was there! I would 100% do it again, so if you’re in doubt, go for it! You’ll meet so many wonderful people, you’ll make the best of friends, the volunteering is amazing and rewarding and the country is so beautiful! you don’t want to miss out on this amazing experience!

If you're considering volunteering with PMGY Sri Lanka – do it. The time I spent there from October 15 to December 17 were the best months of my life. The volunteer work was super rewarding, I made so many incredible friendships, and the opportunities to travel and explore the country meant there was never a dull moment.

I volunteered with the dog rescue project (@bringthemhome_srilanka) for my entire time there, and it never got old. Besides falling in love with the dogs at the shelter, it was beyond incredible to get to be a part of the early stages of this project. Ashika is super open to working with the volunteers, and I always felt super heard when I came to him with concerns or ideas for the project. I also did three weeks at the girls home in the afternoons. I so wish I had more time with these girls – they're some of the coolest, funniest, and smartest kids you'll ever meet. I highly recommend spending some time volunteering with the afternoon childcare project.
Some memorable volunteering moments:
- Three new tiny puppies came in on my group's orientation day. Me and the other dog project volunteer at the time got to give them names – Mocha, Peanut, and S'more <33. I got to watch them grow up over my time there (and we had the same first day which I thought was adorable).
- There was a turtle release in my first week and there were enough turtles / few enough volunteers that we each got to release one of the babies. Incredible experience.
- English lessons at the girls home, then playing hangman with all the new words – so many laughs!
- Spent a day doing Christmas crafts with the girls and dancing and singing to Christmas music.

There was a ton to do in our free time as well. Some out-of project activities that are definitely worth doing:
- Waterfall hike (about 45 minute tuk tuk ride away from London House) – hilariously chaotic experience in the rainy season; super quick and pretty stroll in the dry season.
- Badminton nights
- River boat tour (beautiful way to spend an afternoon; don't engage with the guy outside of the boat with the tied up baby crocodile though – blatant animal abuse)
- Hang out at Coral Rock – the pool's super nice and, depending on the season, so is the beach
- Visit Chicken Chop down the street – the guys who work there are super nice and the food's really good, plus it's only about a 5 minute walk from the volunteer house
- Mask museum in Ambalangoda
- Tsunami museum in Hikkaduwa (really emotionally intense, so go when you're in an okay space for that)
- Day trip to Galle

I did both PMGY-organised weekend trips (cultural triangle / Kandy weekend, hill country / Ella weekend) and highly recommend doing both if you're able. And I'll never forget my weekends in Weligama, love Hangtime Hostel with my whole heart.

The local team was super helpful and accommodating – we had weekly house meetings where they would check to make sure everything with the food and house was okay, if projects were going smoothly, if anyone wanted to change projects, what evening activities we wanted help organizing, etc. In between that, if we had any questions or needed help with anything the local team was super accessible and helpful. Ashika and his team go above and beyond to make sure volunteers are safe, comfortable, and having a good time. He approved multiple extended curfew requests, helped us to find and organize all kinds of reliable third-party activities and day trips, and just generally always had all of our backs. One time, I called him in a bit of a panic from a weekend trip I was on with some friends in Ella – one of my friends got pretty sick and I was freaking out and didn't know what to do. Ashika talked me through it, told me what the nearest hospital was and helped me come up with a plan, allowed me to return a day late, and even helped me figure out the bus schedule since I would have to travel back on my own the next day.

Originally, I'd signed up for 6 weeks and was super nervous that it was going to be too long, but the first 4 weeks flew by and I didn't want to leave at all. Even at the end of my extended time, it felt too short – I will definitely be back :))

Highly recommend the PMGY program in Sri Lanka. I spent 4 weeks there and had the most amazing time. From start to finish I can’t fault anything, it was so well organised and their communication throughout was great. The volunteer programs that we were involved in were really well set up and I made so many special memories with the children that I worked with in Sri Lanka that will stay with me for life. Ashika and his team in Sri Lanka were incredible and made every effort to ensure that we had the opportunity to see the country in our spare time. The volunteer house felt like home away from home and had a really positive atmosphere. If you are thinking about going to Sri Lanka but are skeptical given the current crisis definitely go, the only regret I have is not staying longer.

I recently returned from a 4 week trip to Sri Lanka, and I can easily say it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done. As a young, female solo traveller I felt completely safe and taken care of by Ash and the Team which I can’t thank them enough for. I signed up for 4 weeks of teaching English, but Ash was flexible in my last week to let me do the childcare project which I was very grateful for. Every evening after project there were activities such as badminton, beach volleyball, karaoke, cocktails and various culturally enriching options which made my time in Sri Lanka so special as it gave us time to bond and have fun. London House as accommodation is basic but clean and has everything you need. The only helpful suggestion I would say to new volunteers is come with an open mind and realistic expectations. As for the team in Sri Lanka, I had a wonderful time and would like to point out that Ash and the team are incredibly helpful and always available if problems arise - which isn’t often but nonetheless. Thank you PMGY for the wonderful memories, I’ll never forget.

I completed two weeks of the mental health program in Sri Lanka. The programs were well organised and varied and included everything we were told we were going to do. On the mental health program this involved lectures, practicals and visiting several institutions and hospitals. The co-ordinators and sister were very kind and always there for support. PMGY planned evening and weekend trips such as cocktail evenings, bonfire nights and cultural nights. I went on the cultural triangle trip which I highly recommend and definelty get your monies worth. Overall fully recommend PMGY

An amazing time with PMGY Sri Lanka. This countries programme was very well run and organised and couldn't have felt safer during the struggles and conflict that was going on when I was there (July 2022). So many different weekend trips available to enable you to explore the whole country. The team they have there made going out in your free time so easy and gave so many examples and personal recommendations of things to do. Once you have decided what you would like to do, they also helped with planning it if you needed help.

Getting around was so easy with the tuktuks they had on hand and all of the drivers were so friendly (and love Coco Jambo – search it on Spotify ;) ). Every day after volunteering we would be greeted by all the puppies from the puppy rescue project which was the best. One of the best parts was the people I met when I was over there. I honestly become so close with everyone after living with them for 3 weeks and it really was sad when we all had to leave each other. However, I now have friends from Perth, Madrid, Berlin, England, America and so many more. I went out here with my girlfriend so if any couples are planning on doing this, I would say go for it but make sure you don’t close yourself off to meeting new people because you have each other! This is what me and my girlfriend made sure we would not do when we were out there and have made so many more friends than we have expected. Overall, such an unforgettable and amazing experience and I will definitely be traveling with PMGY again!

Ps. Stay in the Spice House in Mirissa for a weekend get-away. The best couple of days!

Rhys
21 years old
Wales
Turtle Conservation – 3 weeks

I had the most amazing experience doing turtle conservation in Sri Lanka. I met so many amazing people from all over the world and I will never forget it. It was all so well organised and I always felt safe which made a big difference especially when travelling for the first time. As someone who was nervous to travel so far from home, I instantly felt at ease as soon as arrived. Its surprising how quickly you settle in and it becomes your new home. I stayed 3 weeks and I wish I could have stayed 4. Most people say 2 weeks is not enough so bare that in mind when booking! I found it was the perfect balance of volunteering and free time meaning I felt like I was making a difference but I also got to see so much of Sri Lanka. The weekend trips are definitely worth going on, you get to see so much in such a short space of time and you don’t have to plan a thing! P.s stay as the Spice House in Mirissa it’s if you travel on weekends… its heaven <3. I Loved the culture, the food, the people and everything about it. Everyone is so kind and big shout out to Ash who keeps everything running smoothly at London House no matter what <3

My overall experience with Plan My Gap Year was amazing as well. Any questions I had, they responded straight away and any issues got resolved immediately. They provided support and reassurance throughout and I plan to do more experiences with them in other countries in the future. I cannot recommend enough to anyone who is thinking about doing it!