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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer in community development in the Maldives?
Our Travel Roots Community Development program invites you to roll up your sleeves and get involved in grassroots projects that directly uplift local life on a remote Maldivian island. From education and health outreach to waste management and environmental awareness, your contributions will help support sustainable, community-led progress.This is a great fit for volunteers who want variety, impact, and the opportunity to work closely with local people across different sectors. Whether you’re running workshops, supporting infrastructure improvements, or assisting with youth programs, you’ll be welcomed as part of the community.
Key Activities:
Assist with awareness campaigns on recycling, health, and sustainability
Help local teams run youth development or women’s empowerment programs
Support small-scale renovation or beautification projects (painting, signage, etc.)
Facilitate skills-sharing workshops (English, computers, creative arts)
Contribute to eco-projects like clean-up drives and community gardens
Collaborate with local NGOs and schools to deliver ongoing initiatives
Project Site:
Based on a local inhabited island, you’ll experience the Maldives beyond the tourist resorts—working side-by-side with community members, learning from them, and helping make life better in meaningful, everyday ways.By volunteering on our community development program, you will:
Collaborate with locals to improve infrastructure, education, and sustainability
Support ongoing social projects that empower youth and families
Apply your skills where they matter most—whether creative, educational, or practical
Experience authentic island life beyond the resorts
Contribute to long-term goals in education, environmental care, and public health
Learn about grassroots development from the inside out
Leave a positive mark on the community—and take home life-changing memories
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Community Development Volunteer
This is a dynamic role—no two days are exactly alike. Your tasks will vary based on current community needs, project phases, and your personal strengths. Expect a hands-on mix of creativity, teamwork, and real connection with the people you’re supporting.
7:30 AM – Breakfast & Planning
Start your day with a fresh breakfast, followed by a check-in with coordinators to review the day’s tasks—anything from lesson prep to workshop planning or clean-up logistics.9:00 AM – Community Project Work
Head into the village to help with that day’s activity. This could include teaching basic English or computer skills, assisting with mural painting, building community resources, or helping locals with sustainability projects.12:30 PM – Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch with your team or community partners—often a great time to learn more about local life and culture.2:00 PM – Workshops or Youth Sessions
Assist with after-school activities, small-group skills training, or community awareness sessions. This is a rewarding time to connect and lead.4:00 PM – Free Time & Exploration
Spend your afternoon swimming, snorkelling, relaxing on the beach, or joining optional excursions to nearby islands.6:30 PM – Dinner & Reflection
Evenings are relaxed, with time to share stories, unwind with fellow volunteers, or prep for tomorrow’s session.Days Off
Use your weekends to explore—go island hopping, visit coral reefs, or simply relax in your tropical home-away-from-home.Your Impact as a Volunteer
As a Community Development volunteer, your impact is direct, visible, and lasting. Whether you're helping teach valuable life skills, building public resources, or simply lending your time to beautify shared spaces, you’re contributing to a stronger, more self-sufficient island community.
Many Maldivian islands face real challenges with limited resources for education, infrastructure, and sustainable living. Your presence helps lighten the load and bring momentum to ongoing local efforts. You’re not just stepping in—you’re standing alongside.
And just as you're helping others grow, you’ll grow too—learning from the community's resourcefulness, developing new cross-cultural and practical skills, and building confidence in your ability to create real-world change.
This isn’t just volunteering. It’s connection, collaboration, and community at its most meaningful.
Your Home on a Local Maldivian Island
Volunteers stay on a welcoming local island—far from luxury resorts but full of authenticity, natural beauty, and warm community spirit. You’ll be based just a short walk from the marine centre and have the choice between two accommodation options to suit your comfort and privacy preferences.
Option 1 – Volunteer House
This is our classic shared accommodation for up to three people per room. Each room includes an en-suite wet room, and the house has a communal space and kitchen with a fridge/freezer, kettle, and washing machine. Please note that the volunteer house only has cold water and limited Wi-Fi—enough for messaging, but not suitable for video calls or streaming. We recommend downloading shows or movies in advance for evenings.Option 2 – Island Guesthouse (Optional Upgrade)
Situated closer to the centre and beachfront, this guesthouse offers more privacy and comfort. Each room includes hot water, a private fridge, TV, and laundry services, plus faster, more reliable Wi-Fi. It’s ideal for volunteers who’d prefer a quieter retreat at the end of each day. Although located closer to amenities, the entire island is walkable, and the volunteer house is just 10 minutes away.No matter which option you choose, you’ll be staying in a clean, safe, and welcoming space, surrounded by fellow ocean enthusiasts and the gentle pace of island life.
What’s Included:
Shared or private rooms (depending on chosen option)
Ensuite or shared bathrooms with Western-style toilets and showers
Fans or air-conditioning
Communal dining and lounge areas
Wi-Fi access (island-wide connectivity may vary)
Three fresh meals per day, including vegetarian options
History
Our partners on the ground in the Maldives have been active since 2000, when a group of passionate locals launched a grassroots effort to support their island community through youth programs, education, healthcare, and marine conservation. What started as a local initiative has since grown into a vibrant, international volunteer platform that connects global changemakers with meaningful, community-led projects.
Today, their marine centre is one of the region’s most impactful operations for turtle rehabilitation and ocean awareness, supported by both local and international volunteers. Every project they offer is deeply rooted in their island culture and designed to meet real needs while creating life-changing experiences for those who come to help.
Mission & Vision
Their mission is to create lasting positive impact through community development and environmental conservation. By aligning local needs with global support, they ensure that every volunteer hour contributes to something meaningful—whether it's rehabilitating injured turtles, teaching English, or assisting in medical outreach.
They believe that volunteering should be both purposeful and joyful. Their vision is a world where helping others goes hand-in-hand with adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable connection. Volunteers are welcomed not just as helpers, but as friends, and invited to experience the “real” Maldives—idyllic islands, vibrant reefs, and a community ready to share its heart.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Community Development Program Fees
Duration Total Fee (€) Weekly Equivalent
2 Weeks €1,224 €612/week
3 Weeks €1,700 €567/week
4 Weeks €2,214 €560/week
6 Weeks €3,246 €541/week
8 Weeks €4,225 €528/week
10 Weeks €5,088 €509/week
12 Weeks €6,028 €502/week
Upgrade to the guesthouse option is available at an additional cost: €42/week (solo) or €52/week (shared).
What’s Included
✔️ Accommodation in the volunteer house (or optional guesthouse upgrade)
✔️ Three nutritious meals per day
✔️ All project materials and resources
✔️ Domestic return transfer from Malé to your island base
✔️ 24/7 volunteer support and program orientation
✔️ Field training and supervision
✔️ All scheduled conservation activities and excursions✔️ Welcome pack with all the essential and helpful information
✔️ Certificate of completion at the end of your placement✔️ Full support before, during, and after your program
✔️ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✔️ And so much more...
Your Investment in Education, Cultural Exchange & Personal Growth
Your program fees don’t just fund accommodation and meals—they help sustain classroom support in underserved Maldivian communities, while empowering you with valuable teaching experience, confidence, and cultural awareness.
This program is a personal investment in your future as much as it is a contribution to the local students. You’ll gain practical skills, global perspective, and real-world insight that can be applied to careers in education, development, and beyond.
Where You’ll Be – A Real Island Experience in the Maldives
Your journey takes place on a local island in the Lhaviyani Atoll, far from the polished luxury of resort life and deeply connected to the everyday rhythms of Maldivian culture. Here, you’ll be surrounded by turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a welcoming island community that invites you to experience the Maldives as it truly is—beautiful, raw, and inspiring.
The marine centre is located just minutes from the beach, where you’ll see turtles swimming in the lagoon, locals fishing at sunrise, and kids playing in the sand after school. While the island is small, it’s full of life—local shops, schools, cafés, and colourful homes painted in tropical hues. You’ll be living where the work matters most.
About the Maldives
The Maldives is a breathtaking island nation made up of over 1,000 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Famed for its turquoise lagoons, thriving marine life, and palm-lined beaches, it’s also one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world—making conservation efforts here more important than ever.
Beyond the postcards, the real Maldives is a place of contrasts. Traditional fishing villages meet rising sea levels. Coral reefs bloom beside coral bleaching. But through it all, there’s a strong sense of community, resilience, and connection to the ocean.
Why You’ll Love It Here:
Wake up to the sound of waves and the call of reef herons
Live in a safe, tight-knit island community
Explore snorkelling spots, hidden beaches, and colourful coral gardens
Learn about traditional Maldivian life and its deep ties to the sea
Witness both the beauty and fragility of one of the world’s most unique ecosystems
Your downtime is just as meaningful as your volunteer hours. When you're not working hands-on with turtles or supporting marine outreach, you’ll have the chance to explore the magic of island life in one of the most stunning regions on Earth.
Snorkelling Coral Reefs
Swim among parrotfish, eagle rays, reef sharks, and vibrant corals—some of the best snorkelling in the world is just a few fin-kicks from shore.
Island Hopping Excursions
Join boat trips to nearby islands, both inhabited and uninhabited, to experience local life, remote beaches, and untouched sandbanks.
Night Fishing with Locals
Try your hand at traditional handline fishing under the stars—an authentic and peaceful way to connect with the culture.
Cultural Evenings & Events
Take part in Maldivian music and dance nights or help cook traditional dishes like mas huni and coconut roshi.
Sunset Beach Walks
End your day with a walk along the shore—watch fruit bats soar overhead and bioluminescent plankton light up the water after dark.
Scuba Diving Add-Ons
Optional PADI courses are available through a trusted local dive shop, allowing you to explore reefs and wrecks beneath the surface.
Turtle Releases
If you're lucky, be part of a turtle release day—watch your hard work come full circle as a rehabilitated turtle returns to the ocean.
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