Restoration and Renovation Project in Sri Lanka, Kandy

• Visit temples and schools around Kandy
• Renovate, restore and repair rural parts of Sri Lanka
• Venture into the deep and culturally rich parks of this stunning island
• Journey to Kandy Lake
• Be part of a transformative project abroad

You will be settled in and orientated during the first few days of this trip. However, we do offer a more comprehensive cultural immersion week which many people do as it’s a great way of meeting others, learning local customs and seeing a few sights. If you like the sound of this, then search our ‘Related trips‘ and add it on for your first week.

Program Description

There are many temples, schools, and community centres in and around Kandy that require renovation, restoration, and repair work. Our project works to bring back life to many of them. Your work will include basic renovation, painting and restoration of artwork in and around the temples in the afternoons. These latest projects are situated in the quiet yet active and vibrant city of Kandy. The projects take you deeper into the rural parts of Sri Lanka away from the noisy and overcrowded cities.

Kandy, the nucleus of Sri Lanka’s hill country, was originally the main Sri Lankan kingdom. Set around the beautiful Kandy Lake, the town still has many important temples. Sri Lankans as well as tourists make their way to Kandy’s temples, offering prayers and flowers. Although most of its palaces and temples were destroyed by invaders in the early part of the 19th century, there are still a large number of historical sites to be discovered.

Apart from restoring broken temples, you will also be involved in various other restoration, reconstruction, and beautification activities in and around Kandy. Activities such as beautification of parks, beautification of schools such as painting the classrooms with educative posters which will make the children return to schools every day with enthusiasm, creating interesting playground activities for growing children, also take part in beautification of the town in many creative ways.

CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check

It is required that participants complete a CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) check in order to take part in this project. We can provide this service for you at an additional cost because some people may already have one that is valid (please get in touch for more details).

Start dates are every week of the year with your activities starting on a Monday. We therefore request you arrive anytime on the Saturday or the Sunday before to receive a free airport pick-up and transfer. Early or late arrivals will incur an additional charge for the transfer and extra night including food, so arriving on the weekend will be your better option. Your trip will finish on the Saturday morning when you will need to vacate the accommodation.

Visa

All visitors to Sri Lanka should obtain permission to travel from the Sri Lanka Tourist authority. Details of how to apply can be found on Sri Lanka Travel. All visitors who have permission to travel to Sri Lanka must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Further information on eligibility is available on the Department of Immigration and Emigration website. Visitors can apply for an ETA on the ETA website. All visitors need to comply with the guidelines imposed for tourists by the Government of Sri Lanka. If your visa is expiring you will need to apply for an extension through the Department for Immigration and Emigration. You should ring the Department for Immigration and Emigration on +94 70 710 1050 or visit their website to make an appointment.

• Cleaning the surroundings of the identified sites
• Painting buildings
• Engaging in mural work if available
• Engaging in artwork if the temple makes requests

Accommodation

Volunteer camp with shared rooms (4-10 people per room); Basic but comfortable with a refrigerator to store beverages.

Food

You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Sri Lankan food.

Airport Transfer

Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. You be supported at the end of your trip in your onward travel.

Training

A full orientation and project induction takes place. You will also receive full training relevant to your volunteer role.

Support

Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation

Part of your fee is used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. If you wish to bring further donation, please make sure that this is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Spending money
• In country travel
• Laundry service
• Extra activities not on itinerary
• Departure transfer

Preferred Duration

There is no preferred duration but we believe that the longer you can stay the more you will experience and benefit.

Pre-requisites

No prior experience or qualifications are required and it is important that you can speak English. All participants require a CRB/DBS check to take part in the project activities.

Ideal for

Volunteer Holidays and Placements in Asia; Community Work and Activity Breaks in Sri Lanka, Volunteer Gap Years and Career Breaks in Indonesia, Student Summer Holidays in Sri Lanka, cultural experience Sri Lanka.

Suitable for ages 18 to 85

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community. Participants above 65 should have medical clearance to take part in this program. Participants below 18 are required to provide parental consent letters and participants above 65 should have the medical clearance.