Project
What does the project do?
We work with two projects in Cambodia, the Library and the Riverkids projects and you will be allocated one of these on arrival.
Library project - There are approximately 35% of all people in Phnom Penh city that live under the poverty line. In order to obtain money for their parents there are a lot of children that beg on the streets, or work as cart pullers, scrap collectors etc and therefore are not able to have the opportunity to study at school due to the high payments needed.
On June 01 2009 the Cambodia Volunteer programme (CVP) decided to set up a library in the poor area and provide non formal education to the children and provide English classes so that they may be able to be educated and earn a better living for themsleves later in life. The project also provides reading books for the poor children. Presently there are more than 100 children attending the library and are aged between 7 and 18 years of age. There are now 3 classrooms for teaching English which are based on the Let`s Go. Children from 8 to 13 learn basic English, 12 to 16 learn Let`s Go two, and 13 to 18 years olds learn Headway Elementary.
Riverkids is a small community project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that works directly with families who are at risk of child trafficking. Through education, medical care, social support and community work, their children are given an alternative life.
The project started with one little girl's bravery: In late 2001, the adopted daughter of a Singapore family told her new parents how she had been trafficked. She had been warned never to speak of it, abused and deceived again and again, but decided to take a leap of faith and trusted again, confiding in them.
The adoptive family found the rest of the children, adopting two more, and began building ties with the Cambodian community their children are from. Through the work of a trusted friend in Cambodia, they helped a few more at-risk children and enrol in school. Gradually, the project grew with more children, meals and medical visits.
In August 2005, several donors were found and Riverkids opened its doors to another 40 children and hired full-time staff and now run as a non-profit NGO.
The project is situated in a slum area close to the Tonle Sap river.The children are aged from 5 years of age to 20 years old. There are two classrooms, one is named Steven House which holds children from 8 to 13 years of age and studies through the 'Lets go Beginner English book'. The other classroom is called 'Get Ready Girl' which has children from 14 to 17 years of age, this class studies through conversation.
What’s the project like?
Both projects are based in Phnom Penh and as you can imagine there are plenty of children for you to look after! Plenty of smiles and enthusiasm will be waiting for you on your first day as you are introduced to the children you will be working with.
Why does the project need volunteers?
The projects are privately funded organizations and don't have enough money to employ a sufficient number of teachers and carers. By volunteering at these projects you will be in a position to improve the education of the students and provide them with a role model and coach. Acquiring language and computer skills can broaden the students' horizons and give them access to far better employment opportunities in the future. At the same time you will be giving a much needed helping hand to the staff in the daily task of looking after the children.
Activities and schedule
Your typical working hours on this project will be 5 days a week, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. No previous experience of work is required, but you must be able to show patience and understanding when dealing with the children. You will be involved in a range of activities with the children including general daily care, helping to provide basic health care, helping to train in sewing, assistance in the library, office and clerical work, playing with the children and creating new activities as per your skills!
Where the project is based
One of the projects is based around 15 minute tuk tuk journey form the accommodation and the other is based near the Tonle Sap rive about 7kms from the accommodation.
Project resources and advice
Many of our volunteers make the decision to bring gifts and resources from home to Cambodia. Whilst all that the project really needs is you, full of motivation and ideas, if you wanted to bring resources from home the project is in need of educational toys. Most items can be purchased in Cambodia, which saves luggage space for you and helps the local economy.
Please note that you will need to come to Cambodia with an open mind and be prepared to be flexible. In Cambodia things can change from day to day and numbers of children at the projects can vary due to last minute holiday changes by the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Please note that a copy of your CV is required upon booking.
Please note the projects need a copy of your CRB clearance prior to your arrival, please scan and send through to the in country team in advance.
Please note that you will need to come to Cambodia with an open mind and be prepared to be flexible as in Cambodia things can change from day to day.
Cambodia has a relatively short history that is nonetheless littered with conflicts both internal and external. From the 1st Century AD the country belonged to the Indianised kingdom of Funan, which developed Cambodia’s politics, art and culture until its collapse in the 5th century and the rise of the Khmer Empire. With Angkor as the capital, the empire built its famous temples between 900 and 1200AD, transforming the city into a regional powerhouse that had a population of one million when London had only 50,000.