“Tusk Tales”: Volunteering in Sri Lanka with Orphaned Elephants

Assisting the Mahouts (elephant handlers) in caring for the elephants and providing them with food:

• Volunteers will work closely with the mahouts, who are experienced elephant handlers, to help care for the elephants.

• Tasks may include preparing food such as fruits, vegetables, and grains according to dietary requirements.

• Additionally, volunteers may assist in preparing milk for bottle feeding to younger or orphaned elephants who require supplemental nutrition.

• Volunteers will assist in distributing the food to the elephants in their designated feeding areas, ensuring each elephant receives the necessary nourishment.

• This task may also involve observing the elephants' behaviour and health and reporting any concerns or abnormalities to the mahouts or staff.

Helping clean the elephant enclosure in the morning:

• Each morning, volunteers will participate in cleaning the elephant enclosures to maintain a clean and hygienic environment for the elephants.

• This involves removing branches and leaves from the enclosures and sweeping the area to clear any accumulated dirt or waste.

• Volunteers may also help replenish bedding materials, such as straw or hay, and refill water troughs to ensure the elephants have access to clean drinking water throughout the day.

Assisting with bathing the elephants in the river, preparing milk for bottle feeding, feeding elephants, and assisting with maintenance works:

• One of the highlights of volunteering at the orphanage is assisting with bathing the elephants in the nearby river.

• Volunteers will help guide the elephants to the riverbank and scrub them gently with brushes or sponges to help them cool off and maintain good hygiene.

• Volunteers may also assist with various maintenance tasks around the orphanage, such as repairing enclosures, painting, gardening, or other projects as needed to ensure the facility remains in good condition.

Throughout the placement, volunteers aren’t tourists in Sri Lanka; they'll be residents. Sharing a house, room, and facilities with teammates, living with a local family provides the chance to truly immerse themselves and become integral to the community. The homestay, situated in the same area where they work, offers basic but comfortable accommodations during the week.

The homestay is located in an attractive rural environment, prompting volunteers to venture out on Friday afternoons to spend weekends embracing culture and comfort. 

Whether they fancy spending time on beaches or scaling some of the world's most impressive cultural sites, the weekend holds endless possibilities, while their homestay family enjoys well-deserved time off with friends and family.

Homestays also include breakfast, lunch, and dinner during weekdays and dinner on Sundays. During, the weekend they can enjoy as they wish, being an opportunity to explore various local restaurants.

Volunteers can feel free to explore the wonders of Sri Lanka during their weekends, where they'll encounter breathtaking beaches, landscapes, waterfalls, mountains, and more. While we don't organize activities during this time off, our local staff members and coordinators are ready to provide invaluable assistance in arranging travel around Sri Lanka, (a natural paradise in Asia.)

For those staying with host families, there's the opportunity to engage in various rituals and cultural activities that are part of Sri Lankan home life. Wander through streets and markets, embark on hikes or cycling adventures, and connect with local residents to deal deeper into their culture and traditions. 

Some must-visit places in Sri Lanka include Nuwara Eliya and its Tea Plantations, Colombo city area, Mirissa, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Great Adam's Peak, Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, Galle with its Dutch Fort, Whale Safari, and Yala National Park (home to the Asian Elephant and Leopard).

Upon volunteers' arrival in Sri Lanka, they will be welcomed by a seasoned team of in-country field staff. This dedicated team consists of mature, educated, and socially respected individuals with a strong commitment to humanitarian work, boasting extensive experience in collaborating with international volunteers.

The main point of contact for volunteers will be the in-country coordinator. This individual takes charge of organizing airport transfers, arranging accommodations and meals, providing a comprehensive orientation covering culture, safety, and service work, facilitating introductions to host families and project staff, and conducting periodic visits and calls to monitor progress. Volunteers are encouraged to reach out to the coordinator at any time for questions, concerns, or advice, and the coordinator will gladly offer assistance.