VOLUNTEERING WITH KIDS IN CAMBODIA
If you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching or just want to help out Cambodian children desperately wanting to learn english, then this is the volunteer project for you. During our travels through Cambodia we spent a few days volunteering at the Sustainable Community Development project with Go Eco.
Why Cambodia?
In total we spent around two weeks in Cambodia, enough time to let you know that it is a country well worth your time visiting. The project is based in Samraong, about 2 hours outside of Siem Reap which for a quick Cambodia geography class - the city you stay in to see the sunrise of Angkor Wat.
Filled to the brim with beautiful scenery, breathtaking temples, food you will want to try replicate when you get home and some of the friendliest people in the world, this country is sometimes left off many people's lists even though it's squished between two very popular countries - Thailand and Vietnam.
Want to know what we got up to in Cambodia? Get some inspiration from our Cambodia blogs.
Teaching English in Cambodia: What to Expect?
Upon completing culture week (which we highly recommend you opt in and do) you will arrive at the local school which was made possible from funding and hard labour by past volunteers. During orientation you will be assigned a classroom which is organised by the English levels of the kids. Levels are not based on age but instead based on the skills and knowledge shown by the students. They can go up a level if their English has improved and they pass the required tests and exams.
You will prepare and teach lessons for the class:
> Monday-Wednesday consisting of teaching
> Thursday is revision day
> Friday is test day
School is from 8am till 5pm with a 2 hour lunch break, however you will only have the same students for half the day (with a rotational system in place) as they head back to regular Khmer school to learn their local language, history and maths.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KZWWLhpyl0
School Construction in Cambodia: What to Expect?
If teaching isn't your thing but you still want to lend a hand, you can choose the construction contribution project.
I personally was blown away more by this project due to how much of the school can radically change in the space of two weeks. Volunteers shared stories of building decks, installing roof fans and even initialising a recycling system into the school during their stay. I further enquired about how long they had been here with some saying two weeks - two weeks to get all this done, I was blown away!
The name of the project could not be truer. You will be physically building, painting and repairing the school. This school is a living and breathing part of the community, I would be very surprised to hear stories of volunteers not leaving their physical mark here as so much was going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyepPZtZWGU
The Best Part: The Incredible School
Beyond the loveable smiles and caring nature of the children, the next best part was the school itself. This is a character in itself and must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. The entire school was made possible from donations and support from past and present volunteers. There are even entire classrooms donated which we were told can be anywhere from $1000USD to $1200USD which is a significant donation.
Local farmers walk their cows to and from the fields and the community carry on their day. I recommend you stop for a moment and watch the cows walk pass by as you really take in the atmosphere that this community school provides.
You can book your volunteer experience in Cambodia for $520USD per person, per week.
Have you ever volunteered abroad? We would love to read about your experience below.
Thank you to Go Eco for allowing us to experience this volunteer project in Cambodia. Our opinion is, as always, our own.
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