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Join our family to spend a happy and unforgettable time on the beautiful island , Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka
Favourited 611 times
Last activity: 16 Apr 2024

Profile information

Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Apr 2024
Reply rate
98.6 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
13
Email verified

Badges (2)

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2024

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Description
I am an English teacher, My wife is also a teacher. we have 16 year old daughter only. We live in a very beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields, about 15km away from the international airport. A famous shrine is near our house. Thousands of people gather there

We like a lady or a female student, .A room, WIFI, and food are provided free, All are welcome but students and educated persons are preferred. Not much help is expected. Helping in the garden for an hour is enough.
we welcome you as a friend and a family member not as a helper. we like this experience, spending time witha foreigner discussing our cultures.
we have experienced living with foreigners as a few guests have visited us.

You do not need to pay any fee or charges.

we love this experience with foreigners that is why we want you
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Teaching
Gardening
Help around the house
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
learn local customs and traditions ,- we live in a village so we have a lot of traditions and different ways to cook. our wedding and funeral customs and rituals are also worth studying. visiting historical places can help you to learn our history which is more than 2500 years old.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Help my daughter to improve her Spoken English .
Help in the kitchen to prepare food.
Help to clean and sweep the house and garden .
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
a bed in a room with a door, toilet bathroom inside the house, three meals a day but no meat
What else ...
historical sights beaches srilanka is the most beautiful island in the Indian ocean full of natural beauty animals forests
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 885234583532

Feedback (7)

15 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Emily) for host

I stayed a week with Nihal, Kusum and Sithara before travelling to the south of Sri Lanka. This was my first work-away and I didn’t know what to expect but I needn’t have worried. Nihal and Kusum took me in and treated me like family. It was honestly a wonderful experience and I’m so glad I chose to stay with them.

Set in a peaceful village,… read more think of it more as a cultural exchange than a work-for-stay. I learnt a lot from the family and left feeling like I got an insight into the real Sri Lanka, away from the artificial tourist spots. Due to the financial crisis in Sri Lanka it has been difficult for them to support a free stay but what they ask for is less than any hotel and the experience you get in return is priceless.

Nihal is an English teacher and was very keen to ask questions about English grammar, customs, and politics. He also taught me about Sri Lankan customs, areas of interest to visit, religion, politics, and the local language; Sinhala. Thanks to Nihal I felt much more equipped navigating around Sri Lanka after my stay.

Nihal was my guide throughout my stay. He offered to take me to some of the popular tourist spots, but I preferred to explore the local area. He took me to some local temples and we visited the local town, all of which was very insightful.

The other reviews don’t lie, Kusum is an excellent cook and I left a few pounds heavier. I had the privilege of learning how to cook with her. We made beetroot curry, pumpkin curry, spiced potatoes, fried rice, and an onion/chilli dish. It was an amazing experience learning how to make coconut milk from scratch and how to cook authentically with ingenuity. Kusum is a primary school teacher, and as an ex-teacher myself it was fascinating learning about the education system in Sri Lanka.

Sithara was studying for her exams when I arrived, but she made time for me and we had lovely talks about what it was like being a young person in her village and her experiences of school.

This was a truly unique and special experience. I was the only tourist in the village, and possibly the larger town. People were curious but very welcoming. A real highlight of my stay was Nihal introducing me to his English students. They had never met an English person before and I enjoyed talking to them about their experiences and aspirations, and I think they enjoyed the opportunity to practise their English with me. On another occasion I met a family friend and his mother, they were incredibly hospitable with lots of questions about England. We also spent time with Nihal’s sister who is also an excellent cook.

If you’re questioning staying here please don’t. Staying with Nihal, Kusum and Sithara is a once in a lifetime experience and I left with friends for life.

My advice to travellers would be to ask lots of questions, say “yes” to suggestions, and go with an open heart and mind. For women it is expected you cover your shoulders and knees in Sri Lanka so bare that in mind when you pack. It is also customary to remove your shoes before entering a home or temple. You might want some mosquito repellent but there are mosquito nets and I didn’t find insects too much of a problem. I would also advise picking up some water at the airport or prior to your arrival as the town is a short drive away (there is a small shop at the end of the road but they only had 1-2 bottles of water). The accommodation is perfectly adequate and I found it comfortable. Be aware fans are used for cooling at night, don’t expect A/C (it’s very expensive) but this worked fine for me. Be open minded and ready to learn, and you’ll have an excellent time.

(Excellent )

15 Mar 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Emily)

When Emily agreed to come and stayed with us , we were overjoyed because it was our first experience with a guest from the UK. Though I am an English teacher I am not a native speaker so I thought she would help me to improve my English and clear my doubts on certain grammar rules. She helped me more than I expected and we had very valuable talks… read more

(Excellent )

22 Jan 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Leopoldine)

Leopoldine came to our place on the 19th of January after a short period of knowing each other. As a result of her studying at Cambridge, her English Is very good so we had no problem in communicating with her and it improved our knowledge of English.
She is very friendly and out going with good manners. We never felt. a guest was with us because… read more

(Excellent )

21 Jan 2024

Left by Workawayer (Leopoldine) for host

Nihal, Kusum, and Sithara are a wonderful family, and I had a fantastic time with them. Even though I could only stay for a few days they welcomed me into their home like I was their own daughter and took great care of me. Nihal took the time to show me his beautiful village and temple, and to teach me a lot about his culture, religion and share… read more

(Excellent )

29 Jul 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Julie)

Julie came here on the 6 of July 2023 and stayed with us three weeks. She has very good manners and charming personality which won all our hearts. She not only respected our culture and traditions but also did her best to study it.
We had long discussions on various topics which paved the way for better understanding of our cultures. Every… read more

(Excellent )

29 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Julie) for host

I had a wonderful time with Nihal, Kusum and Sithara. They are truly beautiful people and they treated me with like a member of their family; I was really sad leaving them after three weeks. I could learn a lot about sinhala culture and language thanks to my discussions with Nihal. I cooked a lot of sinhala traditional food with Kusum, and I had… read more

(Excellent )

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These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

15 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Emily) for host

(Excellent )

15 Mar 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Emily)

(Excellent )

22 Jan 2024

Left by host for Workawayer (Leopoldine)

(Excellent )

21 Jan 2024

Left by Workawayer (Leopoldine) for host

(Excellent )

29 Jul 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Julie)

(Excellent )

29 Jul 2023

Left by Workawayer (Julie) for host

(Excellent )

19 Feb 2023

Left by host for Workawayer (Cecilia Rosetta Anna)

Cecilia stayed with us for two weeks which passed just like two days She is very talkative so she can make any one talk She was with our relations and neighbours like a friend The most important thing is her understanding the difference in cultures She respected our culture which is totally strange to a European and always tried to live ,eat and… read more

(Excellent )

18 Feb 2023

Left by Workawayer (Cecilia Rosetta Anna) for host

I had the chance to live with Kusum, Nihal and Sithara for two weeks. They are a super kind and lovely family. I could discover a lot about Sri Lanka and the general culture of the island thanks to the conversations with Nihal. And with Kusum I cooked so much typical food. She is one of the sweetest persons I met lately. I had therefore a super… read more

(Very good )

7 Oct 2022

Left by Workawayer (Stina) for host

Words can not describe who lovely this family is.
I stayed with them for only two weeks but nevertheless I learned so much in Sri Lanka. They showed me how to live a simply lifestyle but being happy with it.
Kusum showed me how to cook her delicious traditional food, Sithara told me about the student life in Sri Lanka and I had really good talks… read more

(Excellent )

2 May 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Stina)

Stina came to stay with us on 10th April 2022 and stayed for two weeks. She respect our culture which is different from hers and discussed with me to know it well. Though she is from Europe She behaved as if she came from Asia Where we live. Our neighbours also praised her . We did not need to prepare her special food as she ate our food and… read more

(Excellent )

3 Feb 2019

Left by Workawayer (Erendira Itzel) for host

It is difficult to define what makes a house a home, but here, the kindness and the great hospitality of Kusum will make you feel at home. She will make sure that you taste traditional Sri Lankan food which is just delicious. She is a great cook and a very charming person to talk with. Sithara is a very charismatic and enthusiastic girl. I thank… read more

(Excellent )

24 Dec 2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Hanna)

Hanna stayed with us from 3 December to 16 December 2018, She was a friend and a daughter to my wife and me and a sister to my daughter. we discussed about our cultures and she helped me to understand her culture, she respected our culture and custom which are totally different to that of hers,
She dressed according to our culture and ate our… read more

(Excellent )

20 Dec 2018

Left by Workawayer (Hanna) for host

Dear Nihal, Kusum and Sithara:) Two weeks ago I set foot on the airplane having no clue what might expect me in the beautiful country of Sri Lanka however with a strong feeling in my heart that my journey would become a great experience I shall nerver forget. And so it was. Right from the beginning you told me that you would look after me like… read more

(Excellent )

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Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Sri Lanka Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Asia Family Sri Lanka

Join our family to spend a happy and unforgettable time on the beautiful island , Sri Lanka

Profile information

Host rating

Last replied

Reply rate

Feedback

Email verified

Badges (2)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Projects involving children

Help

Languages spoken

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (7)

Photos

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