Volunteering in Cambodia

Cambodia is renowned worldwide as a paradisiacal destination. It offers breathtaking wild landscapes and many must-see sites, such as the Temples of Angkor. However, it also reveals other less glorious aspects, including poverty and underdevelopment. In an effort to help the country progress, many non-profit organizations and NGOs have set up operations there. Each year, they seek the support of volunteers from all nationalities to help drive their various improvement projects. Would you like to have a truly unique human experience during your trip to Cambodia? Why not volunteer and help others in need?

The Benefits of Volunteering in Cambodia

When you volunteer in Cambodia (or anywhere else in the world), you enjoy several advantages. In addition to discovering the beauty of the destination, you open a new chapter in your life by immersing yourself in the humanitarian field. By volunteering in Cambodia, you will:

• Be in direct contact with the locals
• Have the opportunity to share your experiences and knowledge
• Receive new experiences from the local population and NGOs
• Enrich both your skills and your personal growth
• Have the chance to gradually change the world through your actions, however small they may seem.

Qualifications required to become a volunteer in Cambodia

Volunteering in Cambodia, like in any other destination, requires good qualifications. It is important to bear in mind that volunteering, to be effective, needs to be a long-term commitment, especially when it involves working with children.

Depending on the chosen field, volunteers may take on different roles during their time volunteering. NGOs and associations are very meticulous in selecting potential candidates, as volunteering involves significant responsibilities. To collaborate with an NGO in Cambodia, you must :

• Have some previous experience
• Be multidisciplinary
• Be adaptable to all situations
• Be available for a longer period (2 weeks is usually insufficient for schools, for example).

For instance, if you wish to go to Cambodia to help children with their education, you will need to master the subject(s) you plan to teach. You should also, logically, be able to speak at least English and demonstrate good teaching skills.

Fields involved in volunteering in Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the poorest countries on the planet in various aspects: economy, education, infrastructure, etc. This is largely due to the numerous crises the country has faced, particularly civil wars and the Khmer Rouge period. In an effort to rebuild the country, different associations and NGOs have decided to intervene with sustainable development projects. They work in various sectors to achieve their goals: education, economy, human rights, communication, art, logistics, tourism, ecology, construction, health, etc. If you wish to volunteer in Cambodia, you can choose which sectors you want to get involved in.

Examples of key positions

As a volunteer in Cambodia, you can acquire the status of an intern, a volunteer, or even a professional. To give you an idea of the tasks you may be involved in, here is a list of some of the most sought-after positions by institutions in Cambodia:

Nurse: Specialized training to deepen your skills as a caregiver will be provided. You will work in local hospitals and care for the sick.

Doctor: Cambodia faces many health challenges. Use your medical studies by working in Cambodian health centers.

Communication Officer: This is one of the most important roles, as it helps spread essential information efficiently. Use your knowledge to assist different sectors with their tasks: social media management, creating media materials (flyers, posters, videos, etc.), developing advertisements (such as awareness campaigns), etc.

Teacher: Cambodia needs substantial support in education. Besides lacking infrastructure to educate children, the country is severely short of teachers. No matter what subject(s) you are proficient in, don’t hesitate to share your knowledge with Cambodians for the greater good.

Orphanage Worker/Assistant: Working in an orphanage is one of the most rewarding and noble activities in the world. If you believe you are qualified to care for young orphans, follow your ambition and become a volunteer. Periodic training will be provided to perfect your skills on a daily basis.

Women and Children’s Rights Specialist: Many local and international NGOs have a branch dedicated to women's and children's rights. Use your legal studies to improve the lives of Cambodian women and children.

Volunteer in Animal Associations: If you are a veterinarian or veterinary nurse, your qualifications will be especially useful for these organizations, though it is not always required. Often, all you need is to be a passionate animal lover, respectful, and willing to spend time in a shelter. There are even elephant sanctuaries, where you won’t be riding them but can assist in feeding them, finding them, and enjoying bath time with them.

The limits of responsible tourism

Responsible tourism has become a new vision for travel. It’s a concept that’s gaining more traction. Traveling with an awareness of the impact of our spending and visits on local populations is a noble cause, but where should we draw the line to avoid crossing into the territory of voyeurism rather than volunteering?

Visiting an orphanage, teaching a few words to children for an hour, or helping to build a well in an afternoon sadly won’t have any real positive impact on the community. However, tourists leave with numerous photos and the impression that they’ve done something good.

For many unscrupulous associations, volunteering has become a goldmine. In Cambodia, as elsewhere, countless organizations offer one-day or week-long tours to help schools or villages. Tourists eager for good deeds are easily tempted by these charitable action weeks. Unfortunately, behind this, there’s simply a pursuit of profit. The consequence? Children don’t continue their education and cannot retain what they’re taught without proper follow-up, wells built for villages are often ineffective, and the local population starts to complain about becoming something of a "spectacle." The donations made by travelers are rarely used for infrastructure; after all, who would donate to a school that has raised enough funds to build a proper classroom? Organizing a truly fair and responsible trip takes preparation and thought to ensure it’s genuinely beneficial.

A better solution would be to bring some school supplies as part of your donation—pens, paper, notebooks, for instance. These kinds of donations will always be more useful for children’s education and development.

If you wish to go to Cambodia to help those in need, do not hesitate to contact us. We will assist you in building your fair project and advise you on the steps to take and the pitfalls to avoid.