Cambodia

WHY we need you in Cambodia

cambodia temple under setting sun

Why Involvement Volunteers International?

the amazing cambodian children!

Volunteer in Cambodia

Cambodia is a beautiful country, similar to Thailand just not as built up! And thats the beauty of it. It feels very relaxed, the people are reserved but very friendly, there’s beautiful beaches and tropical rainforests, as well as bustling cities and traditional villages along the mighty Mekong river. 

Volunteer with IVI for authentic, affordable and life changing projects in Cambodia. We have over 35+ years of experience as a charity and non profit org and are passionate about helping those less fortunate  than ourselves. 

The majority of placements are centered around the rural cultured regions in Samraong, with the conservation and/or diving programs in the south western beach regions of Sihanoukville and Kampot and various islands. Choose from projects including education, medicine, community development, conservation, and more!

Volunteer Projects in Cambodia

Volunteering in rural Cambodia

RURAL PRIMARY TEACHING

Enjoy the peace and serenity of this rural school success story in North Eastern Cambodia near the border of Thailand. You'll have freedom to contribute your unique ideas and impart cultural and curricular learning.

Location: Samraong
Start Dates: Weekly All Year Round (Sat/Sun Arrivals)
Min Duration: One Week
Min Age: 16 Years
Special Requirements: N/A

breaking out the heavy machinery!

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION

Assist with improving the quality of life in poverty-stricken areas through light construction and development work in rural Cambodia. Get hands on and stuck in, renovation and painting local schools and community buildings.

Location: Samraong
Start Dates: Weekly All Year Round (Sat/Sun Arrivals)
Min Duration: One Week
Min Age: 16 Years
Special Requirements: N/A

Construction-work-min-1

AGRICULTURE & FARMING

Work at an Agri-Tech learning centre, engaging with farmers about the importance of sustainable farming methods and alternative farming practices. Work out in the field, as well as educating the local community!

Location: Samraong
Start Dates: Weekly All Year Round (Sat/Sun Arrivals)
Min Duration: 1 Week
Min Age: 18 Years
Special Requirements: N/A

bridgewalk over mangroves with volunteering conservation

MANGROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Help severe deforestation through conservation activities in the beautiful coastal regions of Kampot. You'll get your hands dirty helping to restore Mangrove plantations which are of vital importance to the local eco system.

Location: Kampot
Start Dates: 1st & 3rd Monday each month (Sat/Sun Arrivals)
Min Duration: 1 Week
Min Age: 16 Years
Special Requirements: N/A

Group temple tour cambodia

CULTURAL ORIENTATION WEEK, SIEM REAP

Explore the backpackers hot spot of Siem Reap. Then dive into the untouched Cambodian countryside. This action-packed week will get you sightseeing, learning about local Buddhism, interacting with the culture and people of Cambodia.

Location: Siem Reap
Start Dates: Weekly All Year Round (Sat/Sun Arrivals)
Min Duration: One Week
Min Age: 16 Years
Special Requirements: N/A

volunteer with sports group

SPORTS COACHING,
SAMRAONG

Teach children from the local school the rules of football! Help them understand the rules of the game, teach them how exercises, and develop their social interaction skills.


Location: Samraong
Start Dates: Weekly All Year Round (Sat/Sun Arrivals)
Min Duration: 1 Week
Min Age: 18 Years
Special Requirements: N/A

* Currently not running. Check back soon or join another exciting project!

Ankor Wat Temple

1 WEEK SUMMER SPECIAL

Embark on a culturally enriching exploration in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with our thoughtfully designed program. Sunrise at Angkor Wat and exploration of Bayon Temple and Taprom Temple, bicycle tour providing a unique perspective on Siem Reap's local charm, visit to Kulen mountain and its majestic waterfall.

Location: Siem Reap
Start Dates: 3rd June 2024, 1st July 2024, 5th August 2024
Min Duration: One Week
Min Age: 16 Years
Special Requirements: N/A

Testimonials...

Cambodia

What's Included
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Airport Pickup
  • Local Transportation
  • 1 Day Orientation
  • 24/7 In-Country Support
  • Project Materials & Equipment
  • Pre-departure Expert Advice
  • Preperation Tools & Checklists
  • Certificate of Completion

Fees

All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $375
  • 2 Weeks - $455
  • 3 Weeks - $655
  • 1 Month - $895
  • 2 Months - $1975
  • 3 Months - $2850
Vol House
All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $495
  • 2 Weeks - $735
  • 3 Weeks - $1100
  • 1 Month - $1460
  • 2 Months - $2885
  • 3 Months - $4300
Vol House

Summer
Special


- 1 Week Summer Special



All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $940
Vol House
All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $375
  • 2 Weeks - $455
  • 3 Weeks - $655
  • 1 Month - $895
  • 2 Months - $1975
  • 3 Months - $2850
Vol House
All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $405
  • 2 Weeks - $635
  • 3 Weeks - $915
  • 1 Month - $1195
  • 2 Months - $2355
  • 3 Months - $3500
Vol house
All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $495
  • 2 Weeks - $735
  • 3 Weeks - $1100
  • 1 Month - $1460
  • 2 Months - $2885
  • 3 Months - $4300
Vol House
All prices in USD
  • 1 Month - $1425
Vol House
All prices in USD
  • 1 Month - $1755
Vol House

30 Years Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.  We accept volunteers from all over the world and place them in meaningful overseas missions.  

Affordable Volunteer Travel

We’re not motivated by shareholder profits.   Our fees are fully transparent to ensure maximum benefit where it is most needed. 

Safe & Responsible Projects

All projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management team, operational & risk assessment & overseas support contact.   All projects are personally inspected to ensure very high quality.
 

Work Experience & University Credits

We place thousands of Uni students and can assist you with course credits and in-field experience points.   Many of our project coordinators are qualified practitioners in their respective fields allowing unique in-field supervision and Uni accreditation options

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 30 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. 

The majority of placements are centered around the rural cultured regions in Samraong, with the conservation and/or diving programs in the south western beach regions of Sihanoukville and Kampot and various islands.

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. 

For our Samraong projects you will stay in a dedicated volunteer guest house, with up to 20 other volunteers in single gender rooms with max 4 p/room. Every room has its own Western style toilet and shower. There are limited laundry facilities so expect to wash your clothes by hand. There are communal indoor and outdoor areas for socializing and eating. 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 (speeds can vary). 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!

For our Kampot location, you will stay in a traditional riverside community bungalow. Bedrooms will be shared between 1 to 2 people per room on a single-gender basis. The bathrooms are shared, with cold showers and authentic toilets (bucket style!). For the more adventurous participants, we can offer an open-plan riverside accommodation. Whilst this is the best way to see the nature of the two options, bringing a mosquito net is a must for this.

On Koh Sen island (for our marine project), accommodation consists of bunk beds in a shared room at the project base on the Island of Koh Sen. Bathroom facilities are shared amongst participants.

3 meals per day are included during your volunteer stay (2 at weekends). The meals will be typical Cambodian, including plenty of vegetarian rice and fish dishes with some western style meals also included.

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.

An arrival airport pickup is included in the cost of your placement. . Accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees. Arrivals are on Saturdays and Sundays (please check the individual project for the pickup window times, as they can differ). 

If arriving outside the pickup times we can arrange a private transfer and extra nights accommodation, depending on availability, or you can make your own way to the project. 

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 30 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!     

Check out this amazing blog with step by step info on how to raise funds for your overseas volunteer experience to help maximize your impact abroad. Guide to Fundraising

Weekends & Extra Tours

Ready to Volunteer in Cambodia?