NGO Cambodia Volunteer Project
Project Summary
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world and has faced lots of crisis in the past. Cambodians are still working hard to come out of the terrible scars they suffered under Khmer Rouge regime and build their shattered but beautiful country. The committed citizens of Cambodia have also established various Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the last ten years to help their communities by introducing different types of development programs and reach the people at the grassroots level. The main target of these NGOs is to uplift the living condition of the population, majority of which live below the poverty line.
As a volunteer in NGO Cambodia Volunteer Project, you will work closely with the community and help them in every possible way. You will use your skills and ideas to help the NGOs to raise funds and meet their goals by writing reports and proposals and develop ideas on income generating activities. Volunteers from any
- Program: Volunteer in Cambodia
- Project: NGO Cambodia Volunteer Project
- Start dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
- Locations: Phnom Penh
- Departure and End Point: Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Phnom Penh Pochentong International Airport)
- Language Need: none
- Accommodation and meals: Guesthouse or Host Family and Cambodian meals three times daily
- Activities:
- Working hours: 25-35 hours per week
- Minimum Stay: 4 weeks for community development (5 Weeks for human right project)
background are welcome in this project as the NGOs are working in various sectors so one idea could prove to be a great one. The projects definitely needs more hands and more heads at the same time.
For the last 10 years, committed Cambodians have set up many Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to aid in the reconstruction works of the country, and especially the communities in 23 Cambodian provinces. These organizations that are working as NGOs are mainly focusing on issues like income generation, micro-credit programs, land reform, agriculture, animal raising and gender development to uplift their communities.
The CBOs/NGOs are going through various constraints to carry on their programs due to limited and almost non-existing financial resources. They often struggle to run their programs and to raise funds from international donors. Many staff members are volunteers receive no salary for their work and efforts. Often the organizations lack skills and resources to become powerful players at the local level. They urgently need support, for example, in fundraising and proposal writing, organizational development, administration and community development.
Role of Volunteer
Global Crossroad works with many NGOs working in various sectors such as teaching, democracy, sustainable development, human rights so the role and responsibility of the volunteer in NGO Cambodia Volunteer Project depends on his/her skills and interests. For example:
- A law student will support a community to apply for their land rights.
- A volunteer with skills in development work will support any NGO by writing reports and proposals for fundraising.
- Another volunteer will support any NGO by organizing income generating activities for the poor and also develop a saving program for the community.
- A country planning student will support any NGO by establishing land and fishery communities in Pursat 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.
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.
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!
