Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Cambodia

This is my first time to set foot on the land of Cambodia, I was a little nervous at the beginning, did not know whether I could adapt to the local climate and poor conditions, and I did not know whether I could live and work happily with other volunteers.But when I got there and met Rich (who was my coordinator), I knew I could make a good living here.

I live in the hotel together with volunteers in many countries, to be there the next day is Saturday, we don't have to work.On that day ， Projects Abroad staff introduced the working content, matters needing attention for us, and arrange the cultural learning courses, let us in can understand the local customs and before the start of work.

Over the next few days, we began our child care work. We sailed to an island where we taught English to about 30 children ages 5 to 8 and played with them until their parents picked them up after work.This process is simple, but also very tired, because the children are very young, the class can be distracted, so we need to constantly use some ways to attract their attention.These children are very warm, every day when we arrive and leave will greet us loudly and warmly.They can only speak simple English, but they still keep chasing us to play and talk. They know that we can't understand, so they will use a lot of body language to express their ideas.This is very different from Chinese children. Cambodian children are warm and open, which makes us feel welcome and important to them.

This volunteer trip was very interesting both at work and on weekends. I made a lot of friends there and learned a lot about the economic and social situation in Cambodia from talking with them, which was like a new world for me.It can be said that this is a completely different way of experience from tourism, which allows me to have a deeper, more comprehensive and more real understanding of a country and a culture.

Right from the start the team at Projects Abroad was the BEST! They were always attentive and answered any question I had right away. I started my quest a year ago for a company that had volunteering services anywhere in the world and I am so glad I choose Projects Abroad and Asia! The Team walked me every step to my first trip to Asia. Their travel division set up my flights and from beginning to end, it went off without a hitch! Overall my experience itself was above & beyond my expectations. Once I arrived in Cambodia at the Phnom Penh airport, I was taken to my accommodations for the next 14 days. I could not have asked for anything more comfortable. I meet people from all over the world who were giving their time in the medical, dental, educational and financial fields to help people & businesses advance into a healthy and successful environment. Clearly Projects Abroad certainly has made a big impact on Cambodia, working to move it from its difficult past to a hopeful future.
Being in the “50 & over group” I learned the tragic history of this country, yet I was impressed with the Cambodian people who always have a smile on their faces. I was exposed to their creative side of puppet making, native cooking, theater and their beautiful architecture such as: The Royal Place, Temples & Pagoda’s. I learned about their tragic history of the Cambodian genocide carried out by the Khmer Rouge back in the 70’s. I spent one weekend on a rice farm, enjoyed a beautiful trip to Siem Reap & visited the floating village and Angkor Wat
My favorite time was being in a classroom of children from the ages of five to fourteen and helping them with their English. My English teachers would have been rolling their eyes and I was nervous at first, but the children were exceptional and smart. What an experience!
My motivation for this travel experience was to give back, and I hope I did in my own little way, however I walked away feeling that this country gave me something I will always be so thankful for and never ever forget! Thank you so very much!

I had a very good time in Cambodia.
I took part in the "care" mission and took care of a child in the middle of the jungle, in a school.
The projects abroad team is great, safe and available.
I recommend

It was rewarding experience.
I spent a realy good time with the other volunteers.

After the mission, in the evening, we did a lot of activities: tasting tarantula, water blessing, football, bar ... and every weekend we went to visit Cambodia.
I stayed only two weeks and I recommend to stay minimum three weeks, the time passes too quickly and the country deserves to be discovered.

The apartment where we stayed was very large, well placed and very friendly. Delicious food, we were very well taken care of.

For sur I will go again with projects abroad when I will have some time.
Just enjoy and go!

I spent three weeks doing volunteering work in Cambodia. It was definitely one of the best time of my life. I had been working with poor children and I've helped them improving their English skills and we definitely had fun! I taught them some traditional Swiss games which they had been extremely grateful to learn. Not only the children seemed to acquire more knowledge but I have also learnt a lot from this experience. They have taught me to appreciate little things and how to smile no matter what.
Project abroad stuff is very skilful and helped me to be more familiar with they city and its outskirts. I even made some special friends, which I am still in touch with.
I would recommend this experience to whoever has the opportunity to go abroad and do some volunteering work! It is one of the most fulfilling feeling ever.

I was able to volunteer for both the Medical and Public Health projects, 3.5 weeks each and got to immerse myself into healthcare in Cambodia in various sectors. I worked at an orphanage, local schools, and local villages to provide basic primary care to Phnom Penh locals. The orphanage I volunteered at homed over 100 mentally and/or physically disabled children, which posed as a challenge and was extremely satisfying to see progress resulting from my care for a few of the children I worked closely with. On the other hand, I also had the opportunity to care for those who either do not have health insurance and cannot afford healthcare otherwise and/or access to a local clinic or hospital for regular checkups. Overall, it was a great experience!

My husband and myself spent a month with the team in Phnom Penh. I can only recommend to share such an experience with your partner - you will be never able to communicate all the experiences you made.

It was hard for us to see what "real poverty" is and how families cope without health insurances, having decent jobs and poor living conditions. We spent a lot of time with the applicants for a 120 USD loan and it was great to see that this little amount of money could change their lives.

Do it!

I’m a gap year student who lived in Cambodia for three months, volunteering in teaching. Without question, it changed my life. By chance, I was ill for a great chunk of my time there and suffered other misfortunes, but I could not let myself feel sorry for myself. Not when I knew that, just down the street, people could barely feed themselves and, by the time I left, the country was suffering a drought and electricity shortage. Through all my bad moments, Projects Abroad were there for me. When I messaged my coordinator late at night to ask to go the hospital the next morning, he got back to me immediately, and always made sure I had a member of staff I previously knew to accompany me to the many places I had to go in order to make myself better/sort things out. On days when the project was unexpectedly closed, they organised other activities for us, which allowed me to take part in the public health programme a couple of times, and experience an entirely different environment.

For the most part, people are lovely, and are always wanting to make new friends. Even if they only just met you, they are willing to take day trips with you, go away with you, and find it continuously fascinating that you grew up in a small farming village on the edge of nowhere, without a major highway for miles.

My best memories and my heart will always be at the school. The word used to describe them is ‘energetic’ and they are definitely that, but I fell in love with them all anyway. They are innocent individuals with a passion for learning, lots of respect, who love to connect with you and tell you the likes and hobbies they have. It was nothing short of beautiful learning all of their names and where each of their talents lied, especially when I could use these in my lessons. And I did play on what I knew of them often, just because I loved seeing their little faces when they recognised I’d listened to them. They are grateful for everything you give them, and give you the biggest hugs when you leave. Like I said, my heart will always be with them.

I went hoping for simply something to set me apart for my pre-med application and resume, but was not prepared for the amount of learning I experienced and the drastic personal change that occurred.
The raw experience was something to behold. As a first time traveller going through Projects Abroad was comforting. I was able to gain confidence to go on weekend excursions and experience enough to definitely set me apart from other graduates.
I wish I had had enough time to stay for an extra week and also travel independently after my project as by that time I felt I had enough knowledge to stay safe, have knowledge about the local culture, and have a good time.
Would 10/10 recommend to any pre-med student or a newbie traveller!