Volunteer in Cambodia

Volunteer in Cambodia and experience this wonderful culture whist working side-by-side with local people.

Having suffered a traumatic recent history, up to one third of the population still live in poverty. Witness the resilience of the people, learn about the history of the country, both ancient and modern, while contributing to much needed community projects.

Cambodia is also one of the most affordable volunteer abroad destinations, some projects are very cheap and even free!

Best Volunteer Programs in Cambodia

Why Volunteer in Cambodia?

Cambodia is a nation rich in history, culture and natural beauty. But the selfless reason, Cambodia needs help!

Cambodia did not fare well in the second half of the twentieth century. There was extensive bombing during the US-Vietnam War in the Sixties. Then there was the atrocious Khmer Rouge genocide of the Seventies, in which millions were killed in Pol Pot’s attempt to reduce the nation back to year-zero. Then came the Vietnamese occupation and civil war in the Nineties, which finally ended in 1996 with the surrender of the last remnants of the Khmer Rouge.

Decades of war and conflict are largely to blame for the underdevelopment and poverty which persists in Cambodia. The vast majority of the population depend upon primary industries such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and average incomes are frequently below $10 per month.

Access to clean water, improved sanitation, decent housing, healthcare and education is extremely limited, especially in rural areas, and even when compared to other developing nations, Cambodia has a huge burden of orphaned children to care for. Without external assistance, many Cambodians face no hope of escaping from the poverty trap in which they find themselves ensnared.

Since the end of the War, Cambodia (especially Siem Reap) has seen significant growth in tourism, and is fast becoming one of the hottest travel destinations in Asia. It is a nation rich with history, culture and natural beauty. Siem Reap alone boasts Angkor Wat – the largest religious monument in the World – and the Tonle Sap Lake – the richest fishing lake in the World and a UNESCO ecological hotspot.

There aren’t many other places in the World that can boast about having two World Wonders within a stone’s throw of one town – which is one of the reasons why Siem Reap is a very popular destination for tourists and volunteers.

Volunteer in Cambodia and you will be truly amazed by this beautiful country.

How to Help

To volunteer in Asia is an experience of a lifetime. You will not only be helping the local people but you will also get to know the real Cambodia and its wonderful people. You can choose between rewarding programs throughout the country. Popular projects to help include communities, conservation, wildlife and more.

Volunteer Teaching
There are lots of children learning English aged between 3-18 years. The main base for some projects is rural village community schools. Volunteers (staying a couple of weeks or more) tend to take a class of their own with local teacher and other volunteers assisting.

Lessons are mostly adapted from the Oxford University Press Headway series of TEFL books which provide lesson plans to follow and additional material. This makes it easy for anyone to have a go at teaching even if you have never stepped in front of a class before or even considered teaching before.

Participants are welcome to bring extra art/craft/other subject resources to provide a variety of learning experiences.

Building and Construction Projects
Although the cities of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have a growing middle-class, rural Cambodia is frightfully poor. Some farmers don’t have the skills to make a living or eke out a balanced diet, and 74 per cent of deaths in the country come from bad sanitation. By applying to join building volunteer programs water pumps, introduce sustainable crops to farmers, and build sanitation units.

Be prepared to get your hands dirty! If you don’t like hard, manual labour, then this project probably isn’t for you: the weather can be unbearably hot, the conditions terrible, rural communities speak little English, and during the rainy season, don’t be surprised if you have to push your transport to work! But you’ll be rewarded with satisfaction, and an insight into rural life which even the hardiest backpackers will never get to see.

As well as building residences for individual families, you can help construct children’s homes for orphaned or abandoned youngsters. These projects aim to provide a safe haven for kids who need it most. There are lots of different tasks to tackle, and what you do will be determined by the needs of the project at the time, as well as things like how many other volunteers are available.

So, you should be flexible and be ready to help however you can. Among the things you might assist with is digging foundations, building walls and painting.

Childcare
UNICEF estimates that there are over 100,000 orphans in Cambodia. Just walking the streets of Siem Reap or the beaches of Sihanoukville will tell you that, where kids as young as six will approach you; smiling as they recite the alphabet in a bid to get a few riel (Cambodian currency).

Due to problems with AIDS and poverty, many children are left parentless, or even sold off to the human trafficking trade when their family can’t make ends meet. But luckily there are now a good number of orphanages dotted around this tiny country offering a safe and secure environment for abandoned youngsters.

Some volunteering opportunities with children allow you to stay with a local family and working for around four hours a day. Your job will include teaching English, helping with homework, teaching them Khmer dance, playing music and games, and schooling them on food cultivation. Cambodian children are very, very sweet, so this could potentially be the most rewarding thing you ever do!

Conservation and Helping Animals
With a growing population in a small, rural country, Cambodia’s wildlife is under constant threat. Sadly, South-East Asia in general has seen huge losses of habitat, so now is the time to help out! Some animal volunteer projects offer pioneering stay through unexplored rainforest, where you’ll carry out surveys to protect endangered species and habitats.

Fast declining animals include tigers, wild elephants, sun bears, and gibbons. You’ll also help locals understand the conservation process. And as the forests are in the largely unexplored Oddar Meanchey province, there is always the chance of discovering new species!

Choose from between unique excursions, where you’ll stay in a camp in a jungle clearing. Hammocks are used as beds, and ponds, rivers, and buckets are your shower! No experience is necessary, so the project is great for learning about the rich culture and history of this magnificent country and its people, while living wild.

Location of Projects

Most organisations offer opportunities in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, both are very exciting cities and great places to live in whilst volunteering. You will be involved in different projects such as centers for street children, schools for children with special needs, orphanages and many more.

Volunteer in Siem Reap

Easily accessible with direct flights daily, Siem Reap and the historical beauty of the Angkor Wat, create the perfect setting for groups seeking a creative, action-oriented experience. Upward of 80% of villagers in Kien Sangker Commune live in poverty of which 40% in extreme poverty.

The majority of the population does not have access to adequate health care, housing, electricity and sanitation. There are lots of community-based tourism initiative tasked with fighting poverty through development and supplemental income-generation. By applying, organisations allow local residents to earn supplemental income through providing services and products to visiting educational travel groups.

Volunteer in Phnom Penh

There are a variety of volunteer projects in Phnom Penh, including volunteering in an animal shelter, microfinance organization, school, clinic and various NGOs that work across areas like women’s empowerment and land rights. Phnom Penh is a very dynamic city that combines comforts of the Western world with traditional Asian culture.

Many foreigners like volunteering in Cambodia because of the breadth of programs here, as well as the city’s fast-paced nature and access to many offerings, for example excellent restaurants, coffee shops and touristic sights. Phnom Penh also has a large expat and foreign NGO network that many volunteers tap into when they arrive.

Volunteer in Sihanoukville

Cambodia’s coastal paradise is home to some of the most spectacular diving and gorgeous beaches in the world. The crystal clear waters host a wealth of marine habitats and wildlife, making this a perfect location to snorkel while exploring a magical underwater world.

Cambodia’s coral reefs support a dazzling array of tropical reef fish and seahorses and provide rich feeding grounds for turtles, manta rays and a wealth of other marine creatures. The deep blue offshore waters support reef sharks and majestic whale sharks, as well as vast shoals of cruising pelagics.

You will be living on a paradise island, fringed with palm trees and white sandy beaches. Join us there for fragrant sun-drenched days and balmy exotic nights, mingled with fabulous diving and fascinating research that helps to support local coastal and marine conservation. Let the spirit of Cambodia bewitch you with its vibrant Asian culture, heavenly beaches and dazzling sea life – the perfect paradise location for your Frontier adventure!

As you explore the exotic seascape around the island you will be getting involved in a real, ongoing conservation project. You will be helping to discover and chart the health of extensive areas of coral, record populations of fish, turtles and marine mammals, and survey the huge diversity of inter-tidal animals – from tiny hermit crabs to pastel-hued anemones.

On shore you’ll learn about the activities of the traditional island fishermen, as well as discovering and reporting which marine organisms are being sustainably harvested and which are being dangerously depleted. You’ll also be helping to investigate the long term effects of global warming on Cambodia’s corals.

The work you’ll carry out will be rewarding, challenging, and hugely beneficial to conservation efforts, as well as being fantastic fun. You will gain immense satisfaction from knowing that your input will help to protect this precious marine wilderness for future generations.

Volunteering in Cambodia FAQ

Answers to commonly asked questions regarding volunteering in Cambodia, covering everything from landmines to currency.

Where is Cambodia? Where is Siem Reap?
Cambodia is in Southeast Asia, between Thailand and Vietnam. Siem Reap is in the Northwest of Cambodia.

How safe is it to volunteer in Cambodia?
Cambodia is a very safe Country for tourists, especially in Siem Reap. However, nowhere is perfect! As long as you exercise caution and use your common sense you should be fine (eg. don’t walk down dark alleys alone at night!).

Will I be at risk of stepping on a landmine?
There is a risk, but it is a very small one. As long as you stick to paths, and make sure you don’t wander away from your guide or someone who knows the area, you should be safe. Obviously, don’t go wandering off into a designated landmine area, and if you see a mine, do not try to pick it up! Road traffic accidents is one of the biggest causes of death in Cambodia – this is something you should be more concerned about!

How old do I have to be to apply?
For solo volunteers you have to be at least 18 years of age. But for group, family & school placements, you can usually participate if you are under 18..

What languages do I need to speak?
You will need to speak good English – English is nearly spoken more than Khmer in some places like Siem Reap! However we do encourage all volunteers to make an effort to learn the local language, and our team will happily help you out. After all, how would you like it if someone came to your Country and made no effort to learn the language!?!

What is the climate like in Cambodia?
Cambodia is a hot and tropical Country with four main seasons: November to February is Cool and dry. March to May is Hot and dry. June to August is Hot and wet. September to early November is Cool and wet.

What are the start dates for the volunteer programs?
Most volunteer programs do not have specific start and end dates – they run all year round! It is entirely up to you to choose (though we advise you to avoid Cambodian Public Holidays!)

When do I have to arrive?
A day or two before your program start date (which you decide!).

Do I need experience or need to have an interview?
No formal interviews are required for unskilled placements. The vast majority of placements do not require that individuals have any specific skills or talent, only that they are of a certain character. It is extremely difficult to judge someone accurately on the basis of one interview, and existing application procedures more effectively weeds out inappropriate candidates than phone interviews could.

Do I need a police check?
Police checks go by different names in different countries. It is confirmation from the police in your Country of residence that you do not have any criminal convictions. You should be able to apply for one at your local police station.

Can I sort out my own accommodation?
If you don’t want to stay in the accommodation provided, in some circumstances you may be able to rebate you some of your fee to find alternative accommodation. However, as an established local organization we can generally get better prices than you. It creates logistical problems for organisations having volunteers spread around, and we have to book well in advance to secure rooms at a good rate!

Do I need health / travel insurance?
We strongly advise all volunteers to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses. Backpacker insurance can be found online for around $20 per month.

Do I need vaccinations?
We advise you to consult your doctor or physician before travelling to Cambodia, and to follow their advice.

How much money do I need to live?
We recommend that you bring $5-$10 per day to cover any social activities, plus an extra $100 to see the many sights & sounds of places like Siem Reap. But with meals, drinks, accommodation and project transport included in most fees, you could get away with bringing not much money at all!

How do I apply for a visa?
You can get a visa on arrival at the airport, and at most land crossings. A business visa costs $25 for one month, and can be extended indefinitely (a 3 month extension costs approximately $80).

How many other volunteers are there?
It varies significantly – from one up to ten! On your project, you could be the only volunteer, or you could be working with up to five others. It really depends on the time of year, and the volume of bookings.

What hours will I work? Will I have time off?
Generally you will work from Monday to Friday, early morning until late afternoon, though you will need to be flexible! On your evenings and weekends you will be free to enjoy the many attractions.

Can I extend my stay?
In most cases, yes, extensions can be arranged.

How do I get to Cambodia?
Siem Reap International Airport has flights to and from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Korea. Alternatively, you may want to fly into Bangkok or Vietnam, and then take a bus or taxi to Siem Reap. More information is provided in your pre-departure guide, and we are on hand to answer any specific questions.

Will there be opportunities for travel during my stay?
During your weekends you are free to travel elsewhere in Cambodia. If you arrange it with us in advance, you are usually free to take a day or two off your volunteer program and take a long weekend away.

What do I need to bring with me?
To summarise: not much! Clothes for warm weather, a laptop (if you have one and want to bring it) and your mobile phone – there are plenty of cafes in town where you can get WIFI and SIM cards available for about $15 locally.

Can we volunteer as a group or family?
Yes – most organisations encourage volunteers from all walks of life to volunteer.

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