Ayurvedic medicine experience in Sri Lanka

You will be based at an Ayurveda hospital in a traditional Sri Lankan village high up in the cultural triangle, 3 hours bus ride from Kandy. Nili, our Assistant Programme Manager will meet you at the Work the World house, travelling with you to and from the village on local transport. The journey from the busy centre of Kandy through the greenery of the hills towards the coast is a great way to see more of Sri Lanka’s stunning scenery, and travelling with the locals is the perfect introduction to your week.

Unlike other Ayurvedic therapy courses, Work the World focuses on how Ayurveda is delivered as part of the healthcare system. Hugely respected, Dr Senevirathna’s method of Ayurveda has been passed down his family for thirty generations and although many of the ingredients in his herbal medicines are confidential, he will share some of his knowledge with you. There are also opportunities to learn about local tradition, treatments and ointments as well as joining him on ward rounds. The latter particularly will be a huge contrast to the work you will have been doing in the hospitals in Kandy, and you will not only have a chance to watch consultations and diagnosis, but can talk to patients about why they prefer to place faith in traditional healing than travel to Kandy for medical help. Many travel miles to the hospital in a bid to avoid amputation of limbs at the government hospital.

Nili will help you get more involved in local activities, translating and organising trips such as cycling around the village, visiting a sacred herb garden and booking you in for an Ayurvedic massage. Please note activities may be subject to change depending on season, availability and weather conditions.

During this week you will stay at an Eco Lodge set in a lush, tropical forest approximately a 15-minute tuk-tuk ride from the hospital.

The Eco Lodge provides simple rooms in wooden huts, which you will share with other Work the World students. Clean sheets and fresh, purified water are provided, and breakfast and the evening meal are included in your stay at the lodge – lunch will be provided at a local village restaurant.

Spending time immersed in Ayurvedic treatment will not only give you a greater understanding of a different side of healthcare, it will help you appreciate more about the culture of the country and the patients you are treating. It also provides a fantastic contrast to your placement in Kandy, giving you a strong sense of how rural communities approach healthcare with such limited resources.