We value the personal connections that our sponsors have with their sponsored student and we invite sponsors and donors to come to Sri Lanka to visit their sponsored students or families.

These visits can be combined with volunteering with Child Education Development, or it can be limited to a visit with your student, leaving the rest of your vacation free to explore the beautiful Sri Lanka

If you would like to arrange a visit, please email nilanthi@childeducationdevelopment.org

Some things to keep in mind to ensure your visit is a great experience for all involved:

• Child Education Development is happy to arrange for your student to come to the office to meet with you, and to provide a translator if necessary. Please be aware that there will be a charge should you require additional services such as such as transportation to the student’s home etc. All logistics will be discussed with you when we are planning your visit.
• Students and their families are usually very excited to meet sponsors, but parents often have to take time off from work, and the families sometimes have to travel, often walk, long distances to get here.  Many sponsors choose to give food or another gift as a polite way of thanking them for their trouble.
• Sri Lanka is generally more conservative than the USA or Canada. Please dress modestly. Tank-tops and shorts are not appropriate when visiting traditional communities.
• Sri Lanka is notorious for everything running behind.  It’s a part of the culture.  Waiting 30 minutes or more for a date or meeting is not uncommon.
• Distributing donations can be difficult. Things don’t always run smoothly and culturally people are not accustomed to waiting passively in line for their turn. Please be patient and use your hosts as an example of appropriate etiquette. Being fair and consistent will help avoid conflict.
• In impoverished rural Sri Lanka incomes are low and eating in a restaurant is a rare occurrence for most. If you are touring the local community with our staff members and stop for a meal please remember this. Please support CED  staff with their food expenses.
• Sri Lanka has a non-fixed price economy. Prices fluctuate, and ‘gringos’ often pay more than locals.  Staff can often make recommendations on the best places to buy to minimize this.
• When entering a community please remember you are a guest. Follow the etiquette of your CED staff and respect their directions.
• Please remain conscious that everyone likes to be consulted before their photo is taken.
• It is essential that you have adequate travel insurance for the duration of your stay. Please note that many household polices and conventional travel polices do not provide adequate coverage for volunteer projects and traveling overseas. In the unlikely event that you do have an accident you must be covered for all contingencies including medical emergency air evacuation.

For more information about travelling to Sri Lanka please read our FAQ Section

To arrange a donor visit please contact nilanthi@childeducationdevelopment.org