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What you offer
5h
- Hours per day
- Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.
- Animal Care
- Help look after and take care of animals.
- Additional Fee
- This host charges a fee in addition to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan.
Additional fee required
This host charges an additional fee to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan for the sustainability of the project and the quality of the experience for volunteers. Learn more.
Amount
- US$ 350
Per week
Fee pays for
- Benefits for travelers
- Materials for volunteer activities
- Donation to project
Description
We cannot run this project without charging a fee. It covers all your basic expenses like accommodation, food, water, and airport pickup, and also contributes to our cause. The longer you stay and the more people you bring, the more discounts we can offer. Our week starts on Sunday (Arrival Day) and ends on Saturday (Departure Day), with the program running Monday to Friday. We recommend this for your booking, but we are also flexible.
What you get
2
- Days off per week
- Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.
- Shared Dorm
- You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.
- Breakfast
- You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.
- Lunch
- You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.
- Dinner
- You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.
- Free Laundry
- You can use our laundry room freely.
- Free Hiking Tours
- We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!
- Support
- Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.
- Verified Host
- This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.
- WP Safeguard
- Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.
- Learn more
Availability
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
- Stay at least
- 1 week
- Stay up to
- 6 weeks
The Experience
Learn about the harsh realities faced by Sri Lanka's domesticated elephant population in Sri Lanka, understanding the importance for your volunteering and awareness on this issue. Help us collect food, clean beading, diagnose health issues, and make vitamin balls for the elephants. All of these skills will come along with adept knowledge we pass on about Elephants. Our primary requirement of you is to assist us with our ongoing activities.
Learn moreRequirements
- Beginner English or Intermediate English
- Between 18 and 65 years old
- Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers
- Be from outside Sri Lanka
What's not included
Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa
Talk to those who have lived the experience
In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.
You can ask things like:
- a) How was your experience with this host?
- b) How was your day-to-day routine?
- c) How much did you spend on this trip?
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UN Sustainable Development Goals
Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.
21 Reviews
Host & Team
Hours & Tasks
Animal Shelter
Learning & Fun
How this experience will transform you
- 20 Get in touch with nature
- 19 Meeting locals
- 18 Immersing in the local culture
- 13 Developing environmental awareness
- 11 Creating true social impact
- 10 Learning about sustainability
This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals
- 19 15. Life on land
- 8 1. No poverty
Marlene
Austria
My stay at the shelter for 1 week was my first actual volunteering experience and I loved every second of it! We cared for the shelter Mali, watched her bathe in the river and fed her many bananas :) I learned so much about the life and treatment of elephants, as well as the history of Sri Lanka! We also did many other interesting activities like hiking to a buddhist temple or visiting a real Sri Lankan tea factory. The home-cooked food was always amazing and the family made sure that I had everything I need and felt welcome throughout my stay! Definetely recommend it!
9 days ago
Amarasiri replied
Thank you so much Marlene:)
Grace
United States
Nera and his family were gracious hosts and made sure all of our needs were met 24/7! The foundation is the perfect embodiment of ethical treatment for domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka. Had lots of personal time with their the shelter Mali :) They give a domesticated elephants a break from the unethical riding businesses and other employments where they are forced to work very hard. At ECF, they are given the shelter they deserve and can roam free as they would in the wild. Supporting this foundation was empowering & gratifying. The home cooked meals were also amazing! Great Sri Lankan food.
about 1 month ago
Amarasiri replied
Thank you :)
Kirsten
United Kingdom
Wow what an incredible experience. I had such an amazing time with such an amazing family. The food was delicious, breakfast lunch and dinner. Going out to other local spots but also Mums amazing cooking. I felt so taken the shelter of as well. And the work and commitment of this family to the domestic elephants of Sri Lanka is inspiring. An amazing experience that I would definitely recommend during your time in Sri Lanka, really eye opening and informative. Such a lovely family with a lovely dream, thank you so much for having us, it was a delight to meet Mali. Amazing cultural experience, thank u
about 1 month ago
Amarasiri replied
Thanks
Mairus
Germany
Awedome experience! I recommend this project!!
about 1 month ago
Amarasiri replied
Thank you :))
Matilde
Italy
I feel very lucky to have participated to this project,I learned so much about elephants and their life here.It was the first time for me traveling alone outside Europe, and with Neranjan and Amarasiri, the family, and the people around I felt so safe and welcomed.They introduced me to their culture with open arms and open heart.They were all the time available to answer questions, explain the project with authenticity.There is a lot of effort and love in their work and purpose, and this was inspiring.We did a lot of activities and I spent a lot of time with Mali❤️and the food was great!
about 1 month ago
Amarasiri replied
Thank you :))
About the host
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Hosted by Amarasiri
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- This host usually answers to 90% of the messages
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- This host usually writes back in 1 day
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