I definitely recommend this experience. Unfortunately, I could only stay for a week participating in the project but I absolutely recommend spending at least 2 weeks volunteering.

I was really amazed to see the birth of baby hawkbill turtles in my first hour of work! It was an incredible view.

And of course, releasing the turtles in the evening, for a biologist like me, was also a “once in a life time” experience.

I did not know at that time that we were going to have baby turtles every day

Personally, it was also very rewarding to have the opportunity to exchange opinions and views not only with other volunteers but especially with the visitors of the turtle project (Singhalese and foreigners).

I think that the biggest strength of this project is its educational contribution towards a more environmental friendly and environmental aware society, within and outside Sri Lanka.

Finally, even when I was involved in the turtle project I had the possibility of teaching English to local children which was really gratifying and loads of fun!

I have done a fair bit of international travel, and have met many people. I have to say, Sri Lanka was one of the best times I have had.

I usually do not dish out complements like ice cream, but I feel the LEO Project Foundation did a magnificent job hosting and supporting me. From delayed bag to lost passport, there was no shortage of “unfortunate events” in my trip.

It was the first time such things had happened to me in such a large way. Yet, I was never truly upset or worried. There was so much support from the staff (both in Sri Lanka and without).

The reason I picked LEO was for the quality of services offered (I was looking for a transport-all meals-lodging included program).

They were cheap and after gazing through the website, which answered most of my questions, I decided my money would be going to not only a great holiday, but a great cause.

I am so happy I supported them to keep on their great endeavour. I e-mailed the foundation and was met by JR, who from then on responded to all my inquiries and notes amazingly quickly. Out of six programs, the LEO Project Foundation really was the most personable and immediate in response. I was impressed and surprised.

Amal, Anne, and Simon hosted me in their Colombo home for the first few nights while I waited for my bag. By the end of my time with them, I was hoping dearly to come back and spend time with them. I immediately fell into a close friendship with them…and I only knew them ONE MONTH!

The only thing I was disappointed about was them saying they would visit me at the elephant location, but then (through a family event and my failure of a phone) they never made it. I got to see them when I went in to Colombo to get an emergency passport. They were very accommodating and, per usual, hilarious. I think we formed quite a few inside jokes in only five days. Impressive.

I always felt comfortable and among friends with the LEO Project Foundation. The elephant foundation with which they have a partnership was like another Sri Lankan home. There were amiable and fantastic people all around.

My trip had many complications, but they have faded in my mind to shades of comedy. I only remember the amazing friends and programs with which I worked. They made my trip what it was. With anyone less friendly or competent, my trip could have gone a completely different direction.

I am so glad to have gone to Sri Lanka! I WILL return and get together with LEO, because not only are they a great cause, but they make me feel at home when it is so far away.

Cheers,
Elena

I was happy to find the Leo Project on the net as I wanted so much to visit Sri Lanka and do some volunteer work, work that I felt was actually helping in some way, without costing me a fortune.

I feel to pay a couple of hundred pounds for board and lodging in addition to giving your time is fair, whereas many of the organizations I had enquired with were requesting a large amount of money for the privilege of giving my time! In addition the flights are not cheap and none of us are made of money.

Before I knew it I had arranged to arrive in Colombo in early February. Scarry when I realized I was completely on my own. I tried to ask around the travelling pages to see if anyone had experience of the Leo Project, all I received were scam mails selling their tour knowledge. So I flew out alone, with many hopes.
 

My hopes were certainly met! I was quickly made to feel at home by Anne and her partner Ahmal (our LEO Staff members eds.). Anne is part English and both speak fluent English, as I am utterly hopeless with languages I was relieved!

We arranged visits to varying establishments where I taught basic first aid, something I had never done before and was unsure whether I would enjoy.

I am an emergency medical technician at home so I knew my stuff but to teach it is a whole different thing. I found I thoroughly enjoyed teaching as my ‘students’ were so keen to learn. The last group I taught were girl guides which was particularly rewarding.
 
 

In addition I worked in the orphanage in Colombo, an orphanage for some 200 children from birth to 18 years old. Children who so need some love and affection! I wanted to ensure that I spent my time where it was seriously needed ( I have five grandchildren at home therefore not lacking in babysitting demands).

I have returned home knowing that I made a difference in those children’s lives. If only a big hug here and there, or an arm around a shoulder.

One whole day was spent cheering them on at their volleyball competition, which with great pride I report they won!

They have so much love to give and no-one who wants to take it.

So if you are thinking about joining the Leo Project…..do it! You will not regret it and you will forever be a greater person for your experiences. >> More about Sri Lanka on Chris’ blog.

Ms Chris Land
Maidstone
Kent

I had a fantastic time and thought the whole thing was unreal and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The other volunteers were lovely and I made some great new friends.

Everyone at the foundation was very helpful and our mahout was great fun and made our time there very enjoyable.

The only advise i’d give someone thinking of going is to find out how many volunteers are going to be at the project at the same time as they are, as the elephants have to be shared out and it can end up with up to four people on one elephant, and in all fairness there isn’t really that much to do with the elephant that can be shared out among four people!

Lucy and I were lucky in that we shared one elephant, Sumana who was the most gentle natured of the elephants and was the only one that didn’t have to be tied up when her mahout wasn’t around.

At 68 she was also the oldest of the elephants. Tilanka her mahout was also amazing, he couldn’t speak a word of English but made every attempt to communicate with us, and it became quite comical at times with our sign language attempts!

Ruwan the onsite vet was very helpful as he would translate to Tilanka what we wanted to say if we could get it across ourselves.


We soon got used to waking up at seven am to go count Sumana’s dung and it was an experience to say the least and then go to wash her in the river which i loved doing!

As she had bad sores on her side it meant that she was unable to give tourist rides but it did mean that Lucy and i were able to spend more time with her than other volunteers did with their elephants as we were responsible for her vet checks every morning and afternoon.

Gardening with Mr Karoo, which came to be known as Karooing was also an experience and a half as he doesn’t half work you hard!


It was really interesting though as Mr Karoo is amazingly knowledgeable and likes to teach the volunteers about the different plants and what they can do and if you’re lucky he even gives you things to eat out of his garden.

We were also as volunteers given the chance to go work in the local school and temples teaching English which was amazing as the children are so sweet and eager to learn and were fascinated by us.

In the first week we had about 20 children collectively, well i say children but they aged from about 3 to 20.

By the final week we had to split the class in two as we had over 50 people coming which was incredible!

Going to the orphanage was also another option available to us where we usually just played cricket with the kids who would run to find stumps and bats as soon as we arrived as they were so happy just to let us join in and play with them.

One Saturday we even got the opportunity to go to the orphanage and watch the men chop down the coconuts from the trees which was unbelievable!

While we were there Lucy and I as well as other volunteers were able to travel to the tea plantations for the day which was an experience and a half as the bus journey down the hills in the pitch black was worse than being on a roller coaster!

We also had our surprise trip organised by Leo which was really good as they were more than happy to accommodate other people from the foundation who wanted to come.

Luckily for us the Pera Hera Kandy festival was on at the same time that we there and as volunteers at the foundation we were given the opportunity to go and watch it sat with the vets with an amazing view for free and i’ve never seen anything like it! It was incredible!

As you can probably tell i loved everything about Sri Lanka and my time there and definitely would love to go back as soon as i get the opportunity and would like to thank everyone at Leo for making the trip what it was!

In 2006 I spent 12 weeks as a volunteer in Sri Lanka. I taught conversational English in a secondary school, nursery and orphanage in a small town called Kurunegala.

As someone who had never travelled outside of Europe I was nervous and apprehensive of the unknown. However, Sri Lanka superseded all of my expectations and I even chose to extend my stay by 3 weeks.

It opened my eyes to life in a different part of the world and enabled me to immerse myself in a different culture; experiencing different foods, clothing, religion and language.

Most important of all, I was given the opportunity to help others who are less fortunate than I: children who came from families that could barely afford the clothes on their back and shoes on their feet, but yet were filled with happiness, energy and enthusiasm to learn.

I found the kindness and generosity of the people overwhelming. My host family, in particular, treated me as if I was part of their own family and three years later I am still in touch with them. I have many fond memories from my time in Sri Lanka and I cannot emphasise enough the life changing experience that this opportunity offers. You’ll love it!

It enabled me to see a different culture and to immerse myself in another way of life. The opportunity broadened my horizons and gave me the chance to make positive difference in a country which has had a great deal of difficulties.

One of the great things about the projects was meeting and working with the Sri Lankan people who were consistently friendly, warm and fun to be around. I will always treasure the memories from my time there and was inspired by to want to return many times…