About Cambodia

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Volunteer in Cambodia

Community Development Volunteer Project in Cambodia

Project Summary

Cambodians are working to improve their country. Although it is one of the most beautiful and exciting countries in Asia, Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Extreme poverty lingers from the time of civil war and Khmer Rouge regime, and current political corruption, weak democracy, poor educational standards and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other serious health issues fuel the fires of poverty. Today, 36% of the Cambodian population lives below the poverty line.

 

During the last 10 years, committed Cambodians have established many Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to aid the reconstruction of their country, especially the communities in 23 Cambodian provinces. The organizations focus on issues like community organization, income generation, micro-credit programs, land reform, agriculture, animal raising and gender empowerment.

 

The CBOs generally have limited (if any) financial resources and often struggle to facilitate programs and often raise funds from international donors. Many staff members volunteer with no salary. Often the organizations are optimistic, yet lack developed skills and resources to become powerful players at the local level. For example, they urgently need support with fundraising and proposal writing, organizational development, administration and community development. In order to uplift the prevailing situation in Cambodia, the committed Cambodians have set up many community-based organizations in the last ten years. The target of these organizations is to aid in the reconstruction of the country and the communities by offering various development programs.

 

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  • Program: Volunteer in Cambodia
  • Project: Community Development Volunteer Project in Cambodia
  • Start dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
  • Location: Phnom Penh (in and around)
  • Departure and End Point: Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Phnom Penh Pochentong International Airport)
  • Accommodation and meals: Guesthouse or Host Family and Cambodian meals three times daily
  • Activities: community oriented and varied based on volunteer interests and skills
  • Working hours: 25-35 hours per week
  • Minimum Stay: 4 weeks for community development (5 Weeks for human right project)
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Role of Volunteer

International volunteers in Cambodia exchange cultural ideas and work experience to contribute new impulses and out-of-the-box ideas to community development. All placements in Community Development Volunteer Project in Cambodia are custom designed and the volunteer's activities will be arranged in advance based on experience and skills. Examples of possible projects are:

  • A law student supports a community by researching/sharing land right information.
  • A volunteer with skills in development work guides an organization with writing reports and fundraising proposals.
  • A volunteer might organize income-generating programs for the poor or develop a savings program for the community.
  • A planning and zoning student could assist a CBO as they establish land and fishery communities in a province.

To be involved in these projects, a minimum stay of 4 weeks is required. At the beginning, the volunteer will get an overview of the organizations and its activities and thus get necessary information to start his/her activities.

Skills/Qualification Needed

To volunteer in Community Development Volunteer Project in Cambodia applicants must have some experience of international volunteering, or experience of developmental work in developing country, or must have studied international development or something related to it. You will also need to submit your resume when applying for the program. You must also volunteer for minimum of 4 weeks.

Volunteer in Cambodia: Project Locations and Free Time Options

Placements while volunteering in Cambodia are available in Phnom Penh, Pursat and several other provinces. Phnom Penh is a charming, yet rapidly developing city situated where three great rivers come together (the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac Rivers). The town offers many tourist attractions such as the Royal Palace and National Museum, Wat Phnom and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. It is a perfect base for afternoon, day or weekend trips to the provinces and the coast. Phnom Penh has a wide range of international cuisine restaurants, colorful markets, internet cafés and a wealth of other interesting places off the beaten track.

 

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In the provinces, the volunteer will usually stay in the provincial capitals, which are mostly quiet, and medium sized cities with basic amenities like traditional Cambodian restaurants, markets and laundries. Pursat, for example is a peaceful provincial capital of Pursat Province, which has at present 270,000 residents living on the banks of the Stung Pursat River that flows through the city. The city is located on the main railway line and the main bus route from Phnom Penh to Battambang. The bus trip to Phnom Penh takes around 4 hours and 3 hours to Battambang. These cities offer a worthwhile and easy weekend-trips.

 

Unfortunately, international communication (internet access and international phone calls) is limited and very expensive in the provinces. The local people enjoy hosting volunteers and giving them a good idea of country life in Cambodia. Over long weekends, volunteers have the opportunity to explore the country and should take some time to visit the main attractions of Cambodia, particularly the majestic temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province and the beautiful coconut beaches of Sihanoukville. For the trip, a minimum of 3 or 4 days should be planned and, when possible, take the Friday off!