SUNDAY

All the volunteers will be gathered at the pick-up point on Sunday at noon (hotel close to the airport). Lunch will be provided at the hotel. The Country Coordinator, with the Program Coordinators, will run the general orientation after lunch. (1.00pm). The teams will leave for their respective cities with their Program Coordinators in the afternoon (at 2.30pm approx.).

Late evening 

• Reaching the accommodation.
• Relax & rewind.
• Dinner.

MONDAY

Early morning

Breakfast at the accommodation 

Morning

• Orientation at the orphanage, project overview, and a tour of the orphanage.

Mid-Day

Pause in work and travel back to the accommodation. 

Lunch.

Afternoon

Explore the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan traditional culture in the charming village of Pinnawela. Immerse yourself in authentic experiences such as vibrant culturally valued palces, local culinary delights, traditional dance performances, and interactions with warm and welcoming villagers. Discover the heart and soul of Sri Lanka in this cultural haven.

Evening

Dinner.

TUESDAY

Early morning

Breakfast at the accommodation 

Morning

• Travel to the work site. 
• Join in the feeding and bathing of elephants under the guidance of experienced keepers.
• Elephant observation and maintenance of feeding areas.

Mid-Day

Pause in work and travel back to the accommodation 

Lunch.

Afternoon

• Learning how to cook a Sri Lankan meal holds immense value for international volunteers. It’s not just about culinary skills, but a gateway to deeper cultural understanding and meaningful connections. By mastering local recipes, volunteers not only enrich their own experiences but also bridge cultural gaps, fostering authentic interactions with locals. Cooking a Sri Lankan meal becomes a way to share stories, traditions, and values, transcending language barriers. Ultimately, this culinary journey nurtures a genuine appreciation for the culture and its people, creating lasting memories and fostering cross-cultural harmony.

Evening

Dinner.

WEDNESDAY

Early morning

Breakfast and travel to the program.

Morning

• Participate in an elephant health check-up and record vital statistics.

• Afternoon: 

Mid-Day

Pause in work and travel back to the accommodation.

Lunch.

Afternoon 

Evening 

• Data entry and discussion on the importance of health monitoring.
• Immerse yourself in Sri Lankan culture by donning traditional attire for a captivating photo shoot and participating in an enchanting evening cloth ceremony

Dinner 

THURSDAY

Early morning

Breakfast and travel to the program.

Morning

• Assist in the maintenance of enclosures and feeding areas.
• Observe and document elephant behavior, social interactions, and individual stories.

Mid-Day

Pause in work and travel back to the accommodation.

Lunch.

Afternoon

Group discussion on observations and behavior studies.

Evening

Relax & Rewind 

Dinner 

FRIDAY

Early morning

Breakfast 

Morning

• Work with local communities to discuss human-elephant conflict mitigation.
• Collaborative activities with the community to foster understanding and coexistence.
• Wrap-up and exchange of experiences with community members.

Mid-Day

Lunch in Colombo 

Lunch. 

Early afternoon

Shopping in  Colombo 

Stay in a hotel in Colombo 

SATURDAY 

Early morning

Breakfast

Distribution of Certificates / Group pictures 

Morning

Colombo City Tour / Shopping 

Mid day 

Lunch 

Travel to the airport