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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 as a teaching assistant in the Maldives?
Our Travel Roots Teaching Assistant program is perfect for volunteers who want to support education without needing formal teaching experience. You’ll work side-by-side with local teachers to provide extra support in the classroom—helping students with their learning while bringing new energy, ideas, and encouragement.This role is ideal for gap year travellers, aspiring educators, or anyone eager to connect with young learners in a meaningful way. You’ll focus on one-on-one help, small group learning, and assisting with classroom prep—all while learning about education from a local perspective.
Key Activities:
Assist in English, reading, and basic academic lessons
Help students who need extra one-on-one support
Prepare classroom materials, games, and visual aids
Lead small group conversations and confidence-building tasks
Support teachers with marking, classroom setup, and activity planning
Run arts, games, or cultural clubs in the afternoons
Project Site:
You’ll be based in a welcoming local school on a Maldivian island. Resources are often basic, but the enthusiasm of the students and the commitment of the teachers make this an incredibly rewarding placement.By volunteering on our Teaching Assistant program, you will:
Make a direct impact on children’s learning and classroom confidence
Support teachers in under-resourced schools where extra help is valued
Build one-on-one connections with students who need encouragement
Help lead fun, creative activities that inspire learning through play
Gain hands-on experience in a real classroom—no qualifications needed
Be immersed in authentic island life while giving back through education
Develop patience, communication skills, and cross-cultural understanding
What to Expect: A Day in the Life on a Teacher Assistant Volunteer in the Maldives
Your days as a teaching assistant are filled with rewarding classroom moments and the warm rhythm of Maldivian island life. You’ll be helping students grow in confidence—often through simple gestures like a kind word, a high-five, or patient support during a tricky spelling task.
7:30 AM – Breakfast & Classroom Prep
Start your day with breakfast at the volunteer house, then head to school to help prepare materials or set up the room.8:30 AM – Morning Classes
Assist the teacher during lessons—supporting students with reading, helping manage the class, and leading small breakout groups.12:00 PM – Lunch Break
Enjoy lunch with fellow volunteers or at the school, with time to recharge or prepare for afternoon clubs.1:30 PM – After-School Clubs
Lead or assist with creative clubs like drawing, games, music, or conversation circles—fun, relaxed learning environments that students love.3:00 PM – Free Time
Spend your afternoon at the beach, exploring the island, or helping with occasional community projects.6:30 PM – Dinner & Relaxation
Enjoy a shared meal and reflect on the day—maybe with some journaling or stargazing.Days Off
Explore neighbouring islands, take a snorkelling trip, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of island life.Your Impact as a Volunteer
As a teaching assistant, your impact is felt in the small, everyday moments that mean everything to a child. From helping a shy student read their first full sentence, to encouraging a group during a creative game, you’ll be offering hands-on support where it’s needed most.
In classrooms that are often under-resourced and stretched for time, your presence lightens the load for local teachers and brings new energy and attention to students who may struggle to keep up. You’re helping bridge gaps in understanding, sparking curiosity, and making learning feel more approachable and fun.
Beyond academics, you serve as a cultural exchange ambassador—sharing your experiences and showing students a wider world of possibilities. You’ll be helping to nurture not just better learners, but more confident, globally minded young people.
And while you're lifting others, you’ll be growing too—developing leadership, communication, and empathy that will serve you in any career or life path.
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
Teaching Assistant 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 volunteer house or guesthouse (upgrade optional)
✔️ Three meals per day
✔️ Placement in a local school or learning centre
✔️ Teaching materials and orientation support
✔️ In-country support and volunteer coordinator
✔️ Domestic transfers to/from your volunteer base
✔️ Expert guidance and training from experienced field professionals
✔️ Cultural exchange opportunities and community immersion✔️ 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 Learning, Support & Self-Growth
As a Teaching Assistant volunteer, your investment goes beyond helping students—it helps you too. You’ll gain practical experience in classroom support, youth engagement, and communication, all while contributing to the future of a local community.
Your program fees directly support teacher training, classroom materials, and school programming, while also covering your accommodation, meals, and on-the-ground support throughout your journey.
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.
