Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Cambodia
- 90% of Cambodia's poor live in rural areas, which lack quality healthcare and skilled teachers.
- The majority of the popualtion depends agriculture for basic survival, with a lack of sanitation facilities in rural areas.
- Many poor familes simply cannot afford to send their children to school. There are also limited resources in many schools.
- Malnutrition is evident in Cambodia, with around 5% of children under 5 experiencing stunted growth.
HOW can you help?
- People of all skills and experiences are welcome on this project
- Join ongoing and existing projects at the rural school and other community buildings
- Get stuck in and 'hands dirty' on this active project
- Contribute to this ongoing project and have a real impact on the lives of the local people
WHAT you can do?
- Help to renovate and build community centres such as village schools, playgrounds & community halls
- Work as a team with fellow volunteers and local workers
- Get involved in laying bricks, doing carpentry, painting, laying tiles, and landscaping/gardening
- Assist in decorating and updating the local school, making a nicer environment for the school kids
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 33 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION
LOCATION: SAMRAONG, CAMBODIA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A
Overview
According to figures of the UNDP, Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in South-East Asia. Over 75% of the Cambodian population lives on less than 2 USD per day, with the figures for the countryside dramatically higher. Basic infrastructure is lacking and education levels are generally low. However, despite these problems young Cambodians are very dynamic and eager to engage themselves
This program is designed for highly motivated volunteers with a passion for assisting those less fortunate than themselves.
Responsibilities on volunteers in Cambodia, will essentially be in the form of construction work. This is a vital and important role, very much needed to ensure the health of the local people. You can help out at the local school, updating and renovating the buildings or get involved in creating garden spaces for the community. For those without prior tradesmen skills, you can get involved in painting murals and sanding walls, etc.
Other construction efforts might be carried out in the local village (renovating and building houses and sanitation facilities) or working on construction projects at the local hospital – this very much depends on the needs of the particular time. So what you can expect from your efforts is to be directing and implementing your construction skills wherever they are needed most!
Location
Samraong is a rural village, located North of Siem Reap and right on the border with Thailand. The city of Siem Reap is about 120 km away from Samraong, currently about 4 hours by car, depending on the condition of the road. During raining season the trip may take considerably longer. The rural location allows greater cultural immersion and to really live like a local and gain a deeper travel experience.
Project Tasks
- Help local workers on various community construction projects
- Get stuck in, laying bricks, tiles, carpentry, landsacping, etc
- Renovate the local school by painting, clearing up, painting murals, etc
Food & Accommodation
You will stay in a dedicated volunteer guest house, with max 4 p/room. Every room has its own Western style toilet and shower. The accommodation is basic, but clean & comfortable with local staff sure to go out of their way to ensure you’re happy! Wifi is included in public areas . There are no safety deposit boxes however the rooms are lockable. There is a private bathroom per room. Bed linen is provided, however volunteers should bring their own towel. Mosquito nets and fans included but no air con.
There are bikes available, which you can use to explore the area during your free time! There are ATMs in Samraong, as well as a bank. There are numerous local shops where you can get all the basics you might need during your stay. Depending on the location of your accommodation, these may be accessible within a 10 – 15 minute bike ride or walk.
*For participants desiring more comfort and/or privacy, families, couples, and more mature participants, we recommend upgrading to a comfort room, which also has air con. These rooms have more amenities and may be in a different location than the standard rooms, which means that it may be noticeably quieter.
During your stay the meals will be typical Cambodian style, which includes plenty of rice and noodle dishes. On a few occasions there may be meat, but generally speaking there is no western food served. Vegetarian options are available. 3 meals will be provided on weekdays, and 2 meals on weekends (usually breakfast and dinner).
Cambodia
Projects
- Cultural Orientation Week
- Rural Primary School Teaching
- *Rural Community Construction
- Sports Coaching
- Agriculture & Farming
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1 Week - $335
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2 Weeks - $495
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3 Weeks - $655
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1 Month - $895
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2 Months - $1895
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3 Months - $2755
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
If you are an active and energetic person, who loves to get invovled with a team and to get your hands dirty, then this could be the project for you. You will have to deal with working in the heat but the rewards are 100% worth it! For anyone creative, you can get involved in painting walls and murals in the local classrooms.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day & 2 p/day at weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Volunteers are strongly encouraged to take up the 1 week introduction to Cambodia to ease volunteers into the lifestyle and pace of Cambodia. You will get to know your town and it’s facilities and everything required to make your stay comfortable. Most volunteers benefit greatly from having a deeper understanding of the local culture, language and customs before commencing your chosen project.
The introduction week is not mandatory however so for those who want to get straight into it, no problem, a brief orientation will be provided, showing you the local area and explaining the general norms/ do’s and don’ts, etc.
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Siem Reap International Airport (REP). You must arrive between 06:00 – 16:00 on Saturday or Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.
If arriving on Saturday, you will need to pay US$50 for an extra night’s accommodation, or arrange your own accommodation for the night.
If arriving during the week, or on Saturday outside of the pickup times, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From the airport to Samraong, it takes 2 hours by taxi, and from the airport to our local centre in Siem Reap around 15-20 minutes by tuk tuk.
Monday to Friday
After breakfast, you will head off to the construction project; this will mainly be at our school, homes of local residents and local community facilities. There you will be briefed on your tasks for the day by our coordinator. You can expect to engage in construction and renovation work at the project location for 4-5 hours per day with a lunch break in between. Lunch can be at our accommodation or near the project site.
Here are a few things to do in Cambodia…
Angkor Wat
You can’t make a trip to Cambodia without visiting Angkor Wat. This is a stunning temple. Head there for sunrise to get the reflection over the water. Angkor Wat can easily be reached from the friendly backpacker town of Siem Reap.
Rabbit Island
Koh Tonsay or ‘rabbit island’ is situated a 33 boat ride from the town of Kep. This small paradise island has no wifi, only a handful of cafes and that’s about it! All the accommodation are simple wooden beach bungalows, which just adds to the simple way of living. This is a great chance to get away from the crowds, enjoy the sunset over the ocean and to really and truly relax.
S21 Prison & Killing Fields
The Khmer Rouge era was a tragic and horrific few years in Cambodia’s past, where millions of people were killed or sent away to work at various camps. Visit the S21 prison, where people were held as prisoners. This is quite a saddening visit but one that allows a better insight and understanding into exactly what happened during this time. The killing fields are situated just out from the capital. Again, a sad but very humbling visit.
Sihanoukville
This beachside town is popular with backpackers, for its lovely beaches and great nightlife. The best beaches are found off from the mainland, where there are plenty of island-hopping tours.
Siem Reap
The main town closest to Angkor Wat, this is very backpacker friendly, with plenty of cheap places to stay of you want to visit on a weekend. There are many bars, clubs and entertainment in the evenings. During the day you can visit the nearby temples, floating markets, get a fish pedicure in town or a relaxing massage.
Jungle Trekking
There are plenty of hiking and trekking trails available in Cambodia. There’s lush jungle, gorgeous waterfalls and plenty of wildlife. You can head into the Cardamon mountains, Mondulkiri province or head to natural waterfalls on the outskirts of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
Battambang
This countryside town is known for it’s colonial buildings and artsy vibes. While still quite rural, the town has lots of cafes and western places to eat, as well as markets of all kinds. Head out into the country and check out the bamboo train. This used to be a very basic wooden panel which you sat on to ride through the countryside. It has now been updated with proper seats but still a fun and unique thing to do!
*No special requirements needed for this program
Although the Kingdom of Cambodia is rich in natural resources, decades of war and internal conflict have left it one of the world’s poorest countries. The average salary in Cambodia is less than US$1.50 a day, and around a third of people live below the national poverty line. Poor living conditions are particularly prevalent in rural parts, where access to safe drinking water is barely above half. Human traffickers exploit the vulnerable with heart-breaking cruelty.
Cambodia’s poor people number almost 4.8 million, and 90 per cent of them are in rural areas. Most of them depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Two thirds of the Cambodia’s 1.6 million rural households face seasonal food shortages each year. Rice alone accounts for as much as 33 per cent of household expenditures. Rural people are constantly looking for work or other income-generating activities, which are mainly temporary and poorly paid..
Involvement Volunteers programs in Cambodia enable you to experience Cambodia as a local, participating in their daily activities while offering yourself in the benefit of those less fortunate. All the projects are grass rooted; working with local people for local people. Within all the projects we value the education factor and the intercultural exchange very highly delivering an educational experience for volunteers.
Cambodia is warm and tropical throughout the year, with a wet and dry season and temperatures ranging from 21 to 35 °C.
December to Febuary are considered the best months to visit, due to the cooler climate (although still warm).
March to June is very hot, sometimes over 40 degrees but it’s usually dry.
June to September is hot, humid and monsoon season. The positive of travelling in this season is that everything is so grean, prices are cheaper and there are less tourists.
October and November also have showers but the weather is slightly cooler. Showers are usually predictable and happen for short bursts in the afternoons.
Cambodia has a rich culture, with around 97% of the population following the Buddhist religion. They have many great temples, including the most famous one, Angkor Wat, which is a must visit. Cambodian people have a great respect for their elders and put an importance on having a strong family unit. They are very kind, a little shy but very friendly and will be eager to learn about your culture back home. Cambodia also has a dark past and you will see many reminders of the Khmer Rouge era where millions of innocent people were captured and killed. Despite this, Cambodia nowadays has a relaxed, friendly and welcoming vibe, with lots of arts and culture.
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