Cambodia previous volunteers
Here are a sample of experiences from previous volunteers at the Cambodia project.
As soon as I got off the plane, I had a great feeling about Siem Reap. Then I was told I was going to be volunteering for the Giant Puppet Project. I couldn't believe my luck, I always wanted to do art with kids. We had 350 kids who don't speak too much English make 8 giant puppets and have a parade. It was definitely one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The kids had a blast. I've returned home inspired to volunteer and make art. Thank you!
Jessica, California USA - February 2007
Arriving at the project, one is swamped by lively, boisterous enthusiastically welcoming children. Playing games is fun and teaching English was a real treat. I had never taught English before but I jumped right in and enjoyed it. The enthusiasm of these kids to learn is inspiring. Their energy and personalities are heart warming. The pictures they draw for you are just beautiful and the sweet things they say, their smiles, just melt your heart. They are boisterous and some have behavioural difficulties, and often they play fight with each other, as they have had bad experiences and some a difficult home life and not the best role models. This is why the Day Centre is such a great place, a safe haven away from this and a chance to learn and have positive, fun experiences.
I also taught in the evenings at the Poverty Development school run by monks. The volunteer teachers that the school relys upon to teach English are always sought after and sometimes there are not enough teachers for all the classes. I was priveliged to teach the older teenagers and advanced classes and it was really enjoyable. These kids are intelligent and eager to learn and also have warm hearts, great sense of humour and it was really insightful to talk to them and learn about their life. Some of these students have finished public education and now want to learn English while others study at public school during the day and then come to the school to study more in the evening. Other students can't afford public school, which requires a small daily fee. On the second last day I was sung to by some of the sweet students in my class and it was very moving. Making a connection with people and giving students a chance to improve their English was a wonderful experience.
Rachel, Australia - January 2007
I love the orphanage and have every intention of returning within the year. It was a little slow starting but nothing a little patience and initiative can't manage, but I did like the flexibility. The classes were fun to teach, the library had all the resources I needed, all the kids are great, and despite being an "English teacher" I was able to do so much more. Towards the end we were going to the center everyday instead of the originally scheduled 4 because we loved it there that much.
Angie, USA - December 2006
I retired from teaching Dec. 2005 after having taught at Mt.Martha primary for the last 24 years. When I arrived in Siem Reap I taught at the day centre in the mornings, and then I’d teach from 5-00p.m -7-00p.m. at the ‘School for Poverty Children’ run by the Monks. They have 500 children through each day. 1 hr. lessons. One grade had 56 Children in it. All so eager to learn English.
Rem met me at the airport with his Tuk-Tuk and I knew straight away that it was going to work. The children at the day centre stole my heart. Especially the toddlers who wander in without a stitch on and stay playing all morning. Not a parent in sight. The kids arrive at school whenever their parents allow them time off from begging. They shower, wash their hair, change into their T.shirts, then wash their own clothes. Time to
play. Have a hug. English classes, a hot lunch, then back out onto the streets. "The sad reality is that these children, as young as 5 yrs. old, are often the primary breadwinners for their families. Their living conditions are desperate, either living in very poor housing or no housing at all." I actually saw one family sleeping on the footpath in town, open to abuse and disease. I had collected an extra donation to the project that I raised from my golf club back home. I hadn’t mentioned our donations to Rem until I was sure the money would be used wisely. When I saw Rem with an enormous bunch of bananas to share, and a bag of rice for each child to take home each Friday, I knew it was O.K. The money also bought a class set of text books, school uniforms and books for the children who were allowed time off from begging to attend their own local Khmer school. We also paid the $10 annual school fees for some of these children. Food for lunches. Rent and helping this struggling young couple to make a difference.
June, Australia - October 2006
"My experience with helping the day centre project was one i was proud to be a part of. So many tourists come to Ankor Wat without seeing the real cambodia, when its so easy to help out, even for just a few hours. Because these beautiful children don't offen get the chance to learn or play they are so happy and well behaved its amazing. The great thing about doing volenteer work through globalteer is it allows you to make a difference and have fun at the same time! If you feel compelled to do something good for others, you will be so glad you helped to put a smile on these kids faces- anyone with a heart would! Throughout my travels, this was the best thing i did to help a third world country and it was positive. I have great memories of teaching english to children who are so excited to learn and to see me. Somethings stay with you forever and the look on a kids face when they have a teacher today, a meal to eat, someone to giggle with, is more precious than anything i could buy or spend the day doing."
Holly, Australia - September 2006
I was quite apprehensive about going to Cambodia at first…. I am at an age where I can remember Vietnam, the Khmer rouge and pol pot. But, I was also at an age where I knew there was more important things I needed to do with my life… so I left my comfort zone and volunteered to help out in Cambodia. I had not taught before nor even worked with kids but that didn’t matter…. The kids were so desperate to learn English to help improve their own lives. At the day centre for the street kids, they were so happy for attention and just wanted to have the chance to play. Teaching the younger classes was so much fun…. They really want to understand how words are pronounced and to have 30 kids shout back everything you say on command was always humorous to me. As for the street kids, well, quite simply these kids are deprived of a childhood - and for 3 hours a day… the kids are allowed to play and act like kids again. They spend the rest of their lives working as they are the bread winner in their family. It is such a worthwhile project, that I am now saving to go back… I miss the kids and I feel so much more confident and worthy in this world now that I have done my small part to make a difference.
Duncan UK - March 2006
On my last day, a little girl held my hand whilst I was kicking a football with the older children. Her small hand wrapped perfectly around my little finger. Every time I moved from one side or another she faithfully followed. Every once in a while I’d look down at the top of her little head, dirty from playing in the dust, and she’d look back up at me and smile.
When it is finally time for me to leave, I say good-bye to all the kids and pull my finger gently from my little friend’s palm. She followed me outside for a while, and I wonder if she’ll cry as I walk away. But she just waves goodbye and grins wide with a that smile... you know, the kind of smile that makes smiling back the only thing I want to do in the whole world.
Mat, Hong Kong - August 2005
A fantastic life changing experience. I particularly enjoyed playing with the kids at the day centre, they were so loving and happy, their smiling faces will stay with me always. Whilst teaching at the school, I was first struck by the respect the children showed me, standing as I walked into the class and saying “hello teacher” and all individually thanking me as they left. These kids wouldn’t have the opportunity of an education if the school didn’t exist. I truly felt the importance of what I was doing whilst volunteer teaching. The Cambodian people were all very grateful for the help of the volunteers, they see so many tourist visit this extremely poor country and so few stop to help them find a way out their desperate circumstances. I have travelled the world extensively and Cambodia remains my favourite country because of the people, they are so friendly and courteous, it is always a pleasure to be there.Cambodia Kids
| Duration | 1 to 12 weeks |
| Hours | Mon to Fri, 6hrs per day |
| Activities | Help in day centre, orphanage, teach English, build water filters |
| Location | Siem Reap, town with all amenities |
| Accommodation | Globalteer guest house |
| Requirements | Aged 18+ |
| Donation | From UK£390 / US$780 |
The Cambodia project is located in the town of Siem Reap near the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site of the Angkor temples.
The project supports a free education programme for the children, centres for orphans and vulnerable children, vocational training, day centre for street kids, community support and a water filter project.
The project focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty through education, health care, nutrition and income generation.
Free Education Programme - Provides local children that are unable to afford the government school fees with the opportunity of a free education. One of the schools is run by a former Buddhist Monk who after 11 years of dedication to his religion decided to commit full time to the school. Children from ages 5 to 16 are taught a variety of subjects including English and Japanese. The school has 500 students who attend the school for a few hours each throughout the day. Due to the local tourist industry, 90% of the jobs available in Siem Reap require English to be spoken. The children are very enthusiastic about learning and very much appreciate hearing good English being taught and spoken by the volunteers.
Volunteers - Assist the local teaching staff as well as teaching English or Japanese.
Street Kids Day Centre - Provides local street kids with a safe environment for the children to play, learn, rest, wash and eat. The 60 children registered to attend the centre are the amongst the poorest and the most vulnerable, spending their day on the streets, begging and selling trinkets. The lucky ones chosen to attend the centre can spend part of their day in a safe environment and have the opportunity to escape their desperate situation to play and act like children once more. On Saturday the centre is open to all the local children who cannot be accommodated during the week so volunteers are required to assist on Saturdays. The centre also includes a night shelter to provide a safe place for the children to sleep. The activities include games with the children, assisting the teachers, helping the older children gain the skills for later in their lives and providing hugs as and when required!
Volunteers - Assist the local staff, play games, sing songs, draw pictures and become a mentor to the children.
Centres for orphans and vulnerable children - The project supports two centres that provide a safe home for more than 80 children as well as supporting the poorer children in the local community. At one centre, the children live in ''family'' groups of five or more. They live in individual houses with a stable carer, while they attend school and receive agricultural and vocational training. An emphasis is put on teaching traditional Khmer dance, music and handicraft arts, which were repressed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The children, some of whom are HIV+, also receive regular health checks from the Angkor Children's hospital. Relationships with friends and relatives are nurtured by regular trips for the children to their home villages.
Volunteers - Assist the local staff, teach English, play games, sing songs, draw pictures and provide individual skills to the project. During school holidays, sports days, art days and fun excursions are arranged.
Community projects – Globalteer’s first community project provides food and education to 30 children in a village near Siem Reap. The children were previously working or begging to be able to feed themselves and their families. The children range from 5 to 14 years old, most had never previously attended any school. Globalteer built a centre to provide both Khmer and English classes as well as food to allow them to give up working or begging. The classroom is a focal point for children to gain access to medical care, social and family support as well as fun activities. It is hoped that the project will expand rapidly to support and educate more children once the funds are available.
Volunteers – Assist with feeding the children, teaching English and supporting the local staff. 
Water Filters - In Cambodia, 1 in 7 children die before the age of five from preventable diseases such as typhoid, malnutrition, malaria, dengue. The common denominator in many of these is waterborne illness. To address this issue we work with an organisation that is constructing and providing bio-sand water filters. They are a low cost way to provide potable water to impoverished areas from any water source (ie: pump wells, pit wells, rivers, ponds). Bio-sand water filters are a new technology to Cambodia. They are made of gravel, sand and cement at a cost of US$45 per filter. The filters are easy to construct with locally available materials, install and maintain. The filtration media consists of a layer of gravel, a layer of course sand, and a layer of fine sand. The biolayer holds the key bacteria essential to removing 98% of biological pathogens and 100% parasites. Water poured through the filter processes at a rate of one liter per minute. Each filter can optimally filter 50 to 80 liters of water per day.
Volunteers - Assist in the manufacture of the water filters, take the filters into the Cambodian countryside for distribution to villages.
Fun days are organised at the various projects including visits to the Temples, swimming pool, mountain and lake. The biggest event for the children is the “giant puppet parade” which is three weeks of building huge puppets culminating in an amazing day for the children dancing and singing through the streets with their creations. This is the one time when the focus changes from the children selling or begging from the tourists to the whole town focusing on them. The children of Cambodia rarely get the opportunity of self expression or recognition, the parade allows them this on one rare night every year.
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Extra activities The town has many museums and cultural activities for you to visit including… Tonle Sap Lake - visit this huge lake which is home to thousands of refugees whose entire community has grown on the lake from floating schools, shops and houses. Also venture further to see the wildlife sanctuary which is home to several species of endangered birds. Cambodia living arts - experience the enchanting music of Cambodia, lose yourself watching the spectacular shadow puppetry or relax and watch the colourful Khmer dancing. The town has many markets and shops catering to a variety of needs and also over 200 restaurants and bars. You may have the opportunity to spend time with the Monks and gain a unique insight into their lives and the Buddhist religion. Find out more from our Cambodia fact file.
Visitors come to Siem Reap to visit the temples of Angkor, there are over 100 temples scattered in the area in various states of decay, some in overgrown jungle, some on lakes. Rest assured everyone leaves with their own personal favourite temple! Some people visit for one day to see the main attractions but we would recommend 3 days exploring the temples to get a much better overview of this incredible period in Cambodian history. On arrival in Siem Reap our project co-ordinator will advise the best ways and times to visit the temples. 
Daily schedule
You can join the project for a minimum of one week up to three months (extensions are sometimes possible). Volunteers take part in various activities from teaching, assisting local staff, sports, games, arts and vocational training. You will be required to be available for 6 hours per day with 2 days free time per week on Saturday and Sunday. Your specific placement will be decided shortly before arrival at the project, depending upon the needs at the time and your relevant abilities. We aim to keep volunteers at the same location throughout their placement to provide stability and consistency for the children. Your free time can be spent relaxing, exploring the temples and the sites of Siem Reap or socializing with the other volunteers.*A Typical Day may be:
11am to 4pm assisting staff, teaching English, sports and arts at a centre for orphans and vulnerable children.
or
8am to 11am assisting in the construction of water filters.
4pm to 6pm teaching and assisting the local teaching staff at the school.
or
9am to 3pm assisting at a centre for children, teaching English, organising games, arts and sports.
*These are only examples of what your days activities may be, the projects are continually evolving and their requirements of volunteers may change before your arrival. Rest assured we are very flexible with volunteer’s personal needs and expect the same flexibility in return. Volunteers attending the street kids centre are required to assist on some Saturdays.
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