Rural Primary School Cambodia

WHY we need you in Cambodia

Participant and student hugging

HOW can you help?

WHAT you can do?

Why Involvement Volunteers International?

the amazing cambodian children!

  PROJECT NAME: RURAL SCHOOL TEACHING

LOCATION: SAMRAONG, CAMBODIA

  START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)

  ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS) 

  MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK

  MIN AGE: 16+

  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required

Overview

Here you will take part in an amazing village school project which started in 2012 and has been completely built by volunteers under the supervision of local management with in depth knowledge of the local challenges and opportunities.

Providing free education, the school now holds over 200 children from nearby villages who eagerly rely on the support and care provided by the many volunteers and local staff which make this place so special. The school is a model and reminder of the power that international volunteerism can provide to communities in need.

The school caters to children mostly aged 10-15 years old who currently possess only a basic level of English. With classroom size generally between 25-30 students, the school is equipped with basic teaching resources such as flash cards and blackboards. The school very gratefully accepts any donated materials such as books, games and writing utensils.

The School also has an adjourning vegetable garden where students are given a small plot of land to farm their own vegetables. Farming is typically the main source of income for families in these areas, so this is an important skill and unique school offering. Much of the school has been built through aid from international volunteers and local tradesman.

Teaching time with the students runs from 8am to 11am in the morning and then 2pm to 5pm in the afternoon. Volunteer teachers generally take 1 teaching shift combined with some light construction, gardening or other options depending on the skill set of the volunteer. We have a high level of flexibility of volunteer input for this project. As well as being done in the traditional classroom sense, we actively encourage creative input. This can be in the form of drawing, art, singing or activities with the children.

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

  • Volunteer teaching English
  • Gardening
  • Creating activities for the students
  • Art & Handicraft activities
  • Sports after classes
  • Environmental awareness activities
  • Construction and renovation of school and local community

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).

All prices in USD
  • 1 Week - $375
  • 2 Weeks - $455
  • 3 Weeks - $655
  • 1 Month - $895
  • 2 Months - $1975
  • 3 Months - $2850
Vol House
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

Testimonials...

FAQ

For those inspiring teachers (or qualified!), this project is a great experience to gain an understanding of what it’s like to teach in a rural school with limited resources. This project would suit those who want to get off the beaten track and to experience a more authenic setting in Cambodia. Also those who are creative and like to work outdoors would suit here, as you could also get involved in other areas of the school like construction or sports teaching! 

  • 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 Angkor International Airport (SAI). You must arrive between 06:00 – 19:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer and any extra nights for an additional fee.

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 3-3.5 hours by by Airport Bus and Taxi, and from the airport to our local centre in Siem Reap around 1-1.5 hours by Airport Bus and Tuk Tuk.

Teaching time with the students runs from 8am – 11am in the morning and then 2pm-5pm in the afternoon. Volunteer teachers generally take 1 teaching shift combined with some light construction, gardening or other options depending on the skill set of the volunteer. 

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!

No further requirements for this program. 

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: KH – Holidays – All Programs      

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. 

30 Years Non Profit 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.

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

Weekends & Extra Tours

Ready to Volunteer in Cambodia?