Help the Rescued Elephants at the Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary
Work with elephants in their natural habitat at this unique sanctuary set on 1,500 hectares of amazing Cambodian jungle.
2 to 12 weeks from £773 / US$850
The Elephant Sanctuary is dedicated to helping rescued domestic elephants and conservation work protecting Cambodia's wild elephants. An ethical Elephant Sanctuary with responsible volunteer tasks. The sanctuary works with & supports the local indigenous community.
Project Overview
The Elephant Sanctuary provides an unforgettable jungle experience. Indeed, it is the best option for volunteers who wish to help rescued elephants recuperating from their previous work lives of exploitation in logging and elephant ride tourism.
You will trek into the jungle to observe the elephants in their natural habitat. This includes foraging, bathing in rivers, and bulldozing trees to get to the best luscious leaves!
There, you will participate in elephant research and care while assisting in the conservation of the protected jungle.
You can stay in a private traditional style bungalow or shared dormitory room in a rural area of Cambodia. This area is one of the least impacted by tourism. Therefore, you will gain unique insight into rural Cambodian life and the tribal Bunong people.
Alternative life for Rescued Elephants
The sanctuary provides an alternative lifestyle for the domesticated working elephants closer to their natural living conditions in the forest. Indeed, they take a hands-off approach to the elephants and a hands-on approach to education and welfare improvement, working as much with the local community as with the elephants.
You can read all about the difference between true ethical elephant sanctuaries and those that put tourism money before animal welfare in our blog about elephant tourism.
Join us at one of our most popular and adventurous volunteer projects!
Meet some of the Elephants at the Sanctuary!
The number of elephants at the project is around 12 living in 1,500 hectares of forest.
Diamond
Born: 2022
Two years before diamond's birth, a wild bull elephant came out of the Keo Seima National Park and arrived at the elephant sanctuary forest. He then spent two weeks with the resident female elephant, Pearl. Pearl became pregnant and the result was the wonderful baby diamond! As an endangered species, the birth of an elephant calf is a very significant event in elephant conservation.
Sambo
Age: 55 | Weight: 3.2 tons | Favorite food: Bananas | History: Retired from tourist trekking
Sambo is without any doubt the most famous elephant in all of Cambodia! For decades, she worked in the capital city of Phnom Penh giving rides to locals and tourists.
Sambo was taken from the forest when she was 8 years old and was the only one of five elephant friends that survived the Pol Pot regime.
With the help of the organisations and supporters, Sambo has now been returned to the forest at the sanctuary after more than 30 years living in the city.
Video about Sambo's incredible rescue
Mae Nang
Age: 67 | Weight: 2.5 tons | Favorite food: Bamboo | History: Overworked and abused
Mae Nang is one of the most troubled elephants to arrive at the sanctuary. She was abused and worked tirelessly in logging and transportation.
Mae Nang's owners tied her to a house without food and water and left her standing in urine and faeces. After lengthy negotiations she was finally rescued and walked to freedom, coming to the sanctuary in 2011. Ningwan and Ruby kindly took her into their little herd and taught her how to be an elephant again.
Gee Nowl
Age: 60 | Weight: 3 tons | Favorite food: Fresh grass and bamboo | History: Retired from logging
French for Great, Bunong for ride Ganesh
Gee Nowl endured a hard life as a logging elephant. One day, she escaped her Mahout's control and innocently destroyed a neighboring farm. The neighbor kept Gee Nowl chained up in a small concrete yard. She was given no sensory stimulation and the wrong foods.
The mahout could not afford to pay the compensation to the farmer, so the sanctuary picked up the bill on the condition they could rescue and rehabilitate her from a working elephant to a carefree elephant. She is great friends with Easy Rider who looks out for Genial.
Easy Rider
Age: 45 | Weight: 3.2 tons | Favorite food: Whole trees! | History: Injured by poaching trap
The sanctuary first encountered Easy when she was injured by a poachers trap and the sanctuaries vet was called to mend the wound. The owner was too busy to care for her so she was sent to the sanctuary in 2007.
Easy is best friends with Gee Nowl and is the brain behind the 'Terrible Two'! She loves to wander deep into the forest, bulldozing trees and eating anything green and leafy.
Hen
Age: 50s | Weight: 3.4 tons | Favorite food: Bamboo | History: Logging and construction
Hen is the only male elephant at the sanctuary. He was rescued by the sanctuary from a life of logging and hard work.
Hen has his own area of the forest valley where he spends his time relaxing and grazing. he walks the furthest into the forest to forage.
Due to the sometimes more aggressive nature of bull elephants, Hen has two highly trained mahouts. One mahout rides him on his head and acts as a sort of distraction and safety blanket. However most of the time Hen is just the most laid back gentle giant there ever could be.
Ruby
Age: 57 | Weight: 2.4 tons | Favorite food: Vines & roots | History: Worked in logging
Ruby had a very hard life working as a logging elephant. After her owners no longer had forest left to log and sell, she came to the elephant sanctuary to retire.
Ruby was walked 60kms from her home to the sanctuary by project staff.
She shows amazing natural elephant behavior and has recovered immensely. Gone are the days when if anyone held up a stick, leaf or branch she cowered to the ground – she now walks around confidently as she protects her little herd.
You can read here a little more about Ruby's rescue and her subsequent escape to find a neighbor's bananas!
The Elephant Sanctuary Project
The Elephant Sanctuary was founded in 2006 with the aim to improve the health and welfare of the captive elephants in Eastern Cambodia, work to conserve the wild elephant’s natural habitat and to support the local people who work with these magnificent creatures.
Programs
The sanctuary runs a number of programs in Cambodia:
- Elephant research and monitoring
- Mobile veterinarian program
- Indigenous community-based organisation assistance program
- Ecotourism project that provides an alternative approach to elephant care
- Elephant rehabilitation and conservation project
The programs help to improve the health and welfare conditions of the captive elephant population and allows them to roam free in the protected forests. The sanctuary also helps conserve the wild elephant population by protecting their natural habitat in the Keo Seima National Park. The project supports the local community to protect their forest and natural resources… the habitat of the elephants.
The elephants of Cambodia need help. There is little education on the care of captive elephants and few possibilities of veterinary assistance when required.
The sanctuary provides vital jobs to the local indigenous population that cares for their elephants. Mondulkiri is being rapidly deforested and the project protects an area of "elephant forest" for the local population and the creatures that inhabit the area.
The community
Only a few years ago there was enough forest in Mondulkiri for a mahout to just let his elephant wander around, with little more than a leg binding or a drag chain, but this is not the case anymore. A mahout now has to tend to his elephant regularly to stop damage to a neighbor's crops or injury from a criminal or poacher. Without regular employment and income there is little incentive for proper and correct care in modern Cambodia.
This inspirational project also works to provide the families of mahouts and the local community with a stable future through assisting them with education and medical care. You can read all about the projects social care program in our blog about how the projects cares for the community.
How the project is helping
The project works to protect elephants, give them a safe place to live as elephants should and to provide secure employment for local mahouts.
With this aim always in mind, the project is a series of interlaced rented farms and community forest that simulates the same environs that mahouts (elephant keepers) traditionally look after and care for their elephants in, while providing a large area of forest to allow elephants to escape human activity for the longest period of time possible.
The location also includes a rest and recuperation center, elephant house and feeding ground as well as accommodation for employees and villagers that live on site.
Why Volunteer?
Only a few years ago there was enough forest in Cambodia for a mahout to just let his elephant wander around, but this is not the case anymore. A mahout now has to tend to his elephant regularly to stop damage to a neighbor's crops or injury from a criminal or poacher. Without regular employment and income there is little incentive for proper and correct care in modern Cambodia.
Increasingly we are seeing human/elephant conflict within the small local population. The Elephant Sanctuary is a place where mahouts can go to work, earn an income and look after their elephants correctly.
To pay for this, we accept volunteers and show you an amazing time, letting you immerse yourself in the simple yet amazing daily routine of our elephants and mahouts. Without the support of volunteers, the project would simply not exist, and the elephants lives would be very different to their life at the sanctuary.
The Elephants of Cambodia
There are approximately 50 domestic elephants in Mondulkiri, roughly half of the Cambodian domestic elephant population. They are threatened by a broad array of factors that range from physical abuse and misuse, to sale in neighboring provinces and countries.
Elephants don’t belong in captivity, they belong in the wild. However when an elephant becomes a part of a people's culture and belief system it causes just as many problems to remove it from that culture.
A released domesticated elephant will have little fear of people and will start to raid crops endangering its life as people retaliate with guns and traps.
Importance of Elephant Conservation
Elephant conservation in Cambodia is a complicated issue. We don’t support the capture of wild elephants and the Bunong people who are native to this region of Cambodia don’t support the breeding of elephants. Therefore the current domestic elephant population will probably be the last Mondulkiri has. The aim is to ensure that this last generation is able to live out its life with as much dignity as possible.
The wild population of elephants in Cambodia is hugely threatened by loss of habitat. The sanctuary protects an area of forest from destruction to ensure the conservation of the traditional habitat for the Bunong people, elephants and the huge variety of other creatures in the forest.
Surveys have put the wild elephant population in Seima forest in Modulkiri at over 120, making it one of the largest in Cambodia and therefore one of the most important to protect.
The Seima Protected Forest is one of the most important areas for Asian Elephant conservation with a breeding population of over 120 head in 300,000 hectares of natural elephant habitat. The project funds a Wild Elephant Protection Team. Their main tasks involve protecting the Seima forest by preventing illegal activities such as illegal logging, hunting, trapping and land clearance.
Typical Volunteer Duties
Volunteers work a 5-day week. You spend half of your time observing elephants in their natural habitat with a guide and the Mahouts, who look after the elephants. You will spend the other half of your time working to help improve the sanctuary's farms and facilities.
Tasks
Volunteers always have a range of tasks to do, and you will work with the local staff on some or all of the following:
- Learning about the sanctuary and the elephants.
- Observing elephants in their natural habitat.
- Walking with the elephants into the forest to forage.
- Watch elephants bathe themselves in the river or help at a washing station (September to November) depending on the availability of water sources.
- Participate in elephant feeding habit research or vet care checks.
- Work to improve the living conditions of the elephants and to grow food for them.
- Help to improve the elephant sanctuary by maintaining banana plantations, doing light construction work, planting seedlings, and maintaining pathways.
Typical 2-week schedule
Day 1 – Sunday - Arrive in Mondulkiri Province in the afternoon to meet the team and other volunteers at the project.
Day 2 – Spend the first full day at the project meeting the elephants, learning their stories & learning about the forest and the local community.
Day 3-5 – Days will now be split between spending time with the elephants in the forest / learning how to undertake a health assessment / helping with onsite jobs.
Day 6 – At the end of the week, there will be a final elephant session followed by a chance to participate in a hike to explore the community forest and observe waterfalls and wildlife. The day will conclude by returning to the town of Sen Monorom.
Day 7 – Saturday Free time to relax and possibly explore waterfalls or book your own tour with a local guide.
Day 8 – Sunday At 3pm in the afternoon return back to the sanctuary.
Day 9-12 Personal volunteer projects along with elephant health checks and time in the forest.
Day 13 – On the final day at the site for two week volunteers, there will be a last visit with the elephants, followed by an afternoon of swimming in the waterfall (depending on the season), and then packing up and heading back to town.
Taking the elephants to the river to bathe and watching them enjoy being elephants has to be one of the most enjoyable parts of the volunteering experience.
Volunteers collecting all the favourite foods for the elephants!
Volunteer helping measure an elephant for their regular medical checks.
A Typical Day at the Sanctuary for Volunteers
A typical day at the project starts with a 7 AM breakfast served by the kitchen staff in the group dining room, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the misty morning forest.
After breakfast, there's time to help with the daily tasks of the site, such as cleaning the treatment centre and washing station for the elephants, making medicine balls for the elderly elephants, or watering tree saplings in the nursery.
Around 8:30 AM, either head out to see the elephants in the forest or do some volunteer work.
Take a break for a two-hour lunch buffet, where you can rest, read, or nap in a hammock. You're also free to relax as much as you want during your stay.
In the afternoon, we go back to either seeing the elephants or volunteering until 4-5 PM.
After showering and finishing the day's activities, you can unwind with a book or a drink in the lounge, watching the sunset.
Dinner is at 6 PM and is always a highlight, featuring delicious local dishes with plenty of servings. Beer and soda are also available for purchase.
You can spend the rest of the evening playing games in the lounge, watching movies in the education centre, or roasting marshmallows at the fire pit.
Your comfy bed comes with a mosquito net, and you can fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the jungle at night.
Please note that activities are seasonal and will depend on weather conditions, availability of water, river levels and other factors.
To find out when is the best time to volunteer at the elephant sanctuary, you can read our blog about the best time to visit Cambodia.
Why the project needs volunteers
The Elephant Sanctuary is a place where mahouts can go to work, earn an income and look after their elephants in a way that keeps the elephant's best interests at heart.
To help pay for this the project welcomes volunteers who can immerse themselves in the simple yet amazing daily routine of the elephants and mahouts. Long after volunteers have left, thanks to your visit the project can continue paying wages, providing care, and letting the wonderful elephants rest in forest that is dedicated solely to their use.
Only a few years ago there was enough forest in Cambodia for a mahout to just let his elephant wander around, but this is not the case anymore. A mahout now has to tend to his elephant regularly to stop damage to a neighbour's crops or injury from a criminal or poacher. Without regular employment and income, there is little incentive for proper and correct care in modern Cambodia.
Increasingly we are seeing human/elephant conflict within the small local population. The Elephant Sanctuary is a place where mahouts can go to work, earn an income, and look after their elephants correctly.
To pay for this, we accept volunteers and show you an amazing time, letting you immerse yourself in the simple yet amazing daily routine of our elephants and mahouts. Without the support of volunteers, the project would simply not exist, and the elephants' lives would be very different from their life at the sanctuary.
Volunteer Reviews
Nick from the UK
''The project really provides a wonderful life for the elephants''
I had an amazing experience volunteering with the elephants in Cambodia. One thing that was truly awesome was the location, the elephants live a life as close as possible to their wild relatives in the jungle.
The project has a massive piece of land and the elephants get to roam and forage just like in the wild. We walked the elephants into the forest and made sure they had a happy and respectful life.
The project really provides a wonderful life for the elephants and I will be back!
Kate from the USA
''The project is making a real difference to the elephants lives''
The elephant project is just amazing! I love elephants and just spending time with them and being able to care for them and improve their lives was just the best experience I have ever had.
The elephants come from such a tragic background. The project rescues them and basically let's them be elephants again. The are retired from a life of abuse and hard work.
I will definitely be back, the project is making a real difference to the elephants lives and also to the volunteers who are lucky enough to care for them.
Nicole from Australia
''They want your experience to be as good possible''
During my time at Elephant Sanctuary, I had the pleasure of experiencing the local culture and spending a week in the jungle with new found friends watching elephants finally have a chance to just be elephants.
The staff there are passionate, knowledgeable and accommodating. They want your experience to be as good possible and it hard to catch a bit of their passion for the project. Learning all the ellie stories and doing medical checks on them, you get to know each elephant and they make their way into your heart.
The atmosphere there is as such that I made friends with other volunteers and we were able to continue our travels together. The sanctuary should be proud of the work they are doing and the atmosphere they have created. You even enjoy things like weeding and building paths because you’re making a difference to the ellies and the local community. During my stay, the food was even amazing.......I miss the elephants and the team already x
Accommodation
At the project, volunteers stay in large individual lodges constructed in the traditional Bunong style with western style furniture, including toilet and shower. Volunteers who want a cheaper option can choose shared dormitory accommodation on their application form.
Each lodge contains a large double bed with mosquito net provided, clothes storage, seating, mirror, laundry basket and bedside tables.
The lodges are on the slopes of the elephant valley affording stunning views over the surrounding forest where you can see many varieties of birds from eagles to hornbills. The main project buildings are made from mostly recycled and salvaged materials.
Meals
Three meals per day are provided for this project. The chef provides high quality local and international meals. There are also vegetarians and vegans options. The variety and quality of food will suit all tastes. Volunteers dine in the main complex overlooking the elephant valley.
Volunteer with Elephants in Cambodia to work with these amazing animals and receive quality accommodation and support from the local staff.
Food at the Elephant Sanctuary
Food is freshly prepared at the sanctuary. Vegans, vegetarians and many dietary preferences can be catered for by the onsite chefs.
The chefs rustle up a fine fusion of Asian and Western meals each day. All meals are prepared are delicious and plentiful. Meals depend on seasonal products available at the market, but include a wide variety of beef, pork, fish and vegetable dishes. A vegetarian option is available at all meals as standard.
Exploring Cambodia
Getting around
Cambodia is a country where it is very easy to get around. There is always a travel company nearby where you can ask questions, and the Khmer people are very helpful. Tourist bus is a common transport in Cambodia. You can often book the same day, they have night or day buses and depending on your budget you can choose your comfort level. If you are travelling in the Mekong Region you can travel by boat all the way to Phnom Penh. From the Mekong Delta, you will have amazing views, you can visit remote communities and stay the night on a floating hotel and buy your snack from a floating market!
Food
In Cambodia, you are never far away from a great snack or an amazing meal. The recommendation would be to enjoy local food over more “western” style restaurants. As the local dishes are very popular among locals as well as tourists, therefore the food is usually fresh. Try Cambodian street food such as stir-fried rice or Lort Cha, which is stir-fried egg noodles. A Cambodian sandwich called Num Pang is similar to the Vietnamese Banh Mi and you can get it on every corner. In restaurants you will find the Cambodian national dish, Amok Trey, a fish coconut curry. And Lok Lak, an amazing beef stir fry! For a sweet snack, try the Sticky Rice, they usually serve it in a bamboo stick.
Sights
The most famous sight in Cambodia is the Angkor Wat temple. It is close to Siem Reap and you can easily get there by taxi from the city. Siem Reap is a smaller city where you can make yourself familiar in no time. Here, you have everything from nightlife, yoga, bike trips, or guided tours to sacred sights and temples.
If you are interested a bigger city, Phnom Penh is the Cambodian capital and has endless things to fill your days. Visit The Royal Palace, The National Museum of Cambodia where you can learn about the interesting history of the country. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum where you can learn about role of the Khmer Rouge regime. In Phnom Penh you will find colourful original art, theatres, temples and food tours. It is also only a four-hour bus ride to the coast, and to Sihanoukville. Here, you can enjoy the beach and you are a boat ride away from several Cambodian islands with white beaches and all-night parties.
Free Time in Mondulkiri
Trekking forms the backbone of tourist activities in Sen Monorom, with incredible waterfalls, valleys and views all within easy reach of the town.
Mondulkiri province is home to the Bunong People, the largest indigenous highland ethnic group in Cambodia.
What’s Included:
- Accommodation at the sanctuary
- All main meals while at the sanctuary
- 24 hour in-country support at the sanctuary
- All necessary training by English speaking project staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- Project and location orientation guide
- Arrival induction
- Accommodation at a guest house in Sen Monorom during the weekends.
Upgrade your package!
Want to enjoy your trip and be stress-free before volunteering? Leave the planning to us and let us arrange your travels to the sanctuary from Phnom Penh!
You can arrive at Phnom Penh international airport to get to the elephant sanctuary:
Phnom Penh Arrival
Airport pickup, two extra nights in a hotel and return transport to Mondulkiri
Itinerary:
Arrive on a Saturday, the day before your start date in Mondulkiri. We will collect you from the airport and provide one nights accommodation in the capital city of Phnom Penh.
The next morning, you will go to the amazing Elephant Sanctuary in Mondulkiri province.
After your project placement finishes on a Friday, you will have one more night in Sen Monoron before return transfer to Phnom Penh on a Saturday.
If you need to arrange additional nights in Phnom Penh before or after your volunteering then please ask our knowledgeable staff to assist you with the arrangements!
Family and Group Pricing
Looking to volunteer with elephants in Cambodia as a family? We love for children and families to visit the elephants as well as learn about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts! Children 15 years and under receive a 50% discount! Please let us know if you have any questions regarding volunteering with your family and we will gladly assist you and your planning!
Do you have a group of friends or work colleagues that you would love to volunteer with? We enjoy assisting groups in volunteering with elephants and can make arrangements for group accommodations! Please let us know if you have any questions or inquiries regarding group volunteering and we will happily assist with the group discount prices!
Financial Transparency
As a UK registered Charity, Globalteer is required to be financially transparent to our donors. You can therefore see a full breakdown of where your money goes and our independently audited accounts by clicking below:
To discover why you should consider choosing Globalteer, please visit the following page:
Why do we charge a fee for volunteering?
Globalteer requests a donation from volunteers to allow us to achieve our charitable objectives and support our partner programmes. In return, Globalteer provides volunteers with an amazing, responsible and ethical volunteer experience. Ensuring that your placement is responsible as well as rewarding, safe and enjoyable takes a good deal of work.
A summary of Globalteer’s total expenditure for the last financial year is shown below:
Donations and Grants 60% – This includes a share of volunteer placement fees, grants we have secured for our projects and donations managed by Globalteer that are made by individuals and groups to our projects and partner projects.
Support Costs 29% – This includes volunteer accommodation, volunteer transport, support staff costs, travel costs and some volunteer meals.
Operational Costs 11% – Costs of running Globalteer.
What’s not included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
What do everyday items cost?
The official currency of Cambodia is the Riel. However, all shops and market stalls accept US$. They just might give you small change in local currency ($1 = 4000 Riels). Also, be aware that they might not accept dollar bills with any tears or markings. ATMs dispense cash in US$. The cost of living in Cambodia is very low compared to most countries in the developed world. The costs of some typical items are:
- Short journey by tuk-tuk - $1 to $2
- Meal in a market - $1
- Bottle of soft drink - $0.50 to $1
- Draft beer - $0.50 to $2
- Meal in a restaurant - $4 to $25
Quick Summary of the Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary
This unique Elephant Sanctuary cares for rescued elephants, allowing them to roam free in 1,500 hectares of mountainous, forested terrain.
The sanctuary also works in the protected forest to assist in the conservation of the wild elephants in Cambodia.
Volunteers can join the project to help the sanctuary care for these amazing elephants.
The elephant sanctuary is based near the town of Sen Monorom in Mondulkiri province, eastern Cambodia, near the border of Vietnam.
The elephant conservation project is located a few kilometres from the town in a protected area of forest.
Travel yourself from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh to arrive at the project or Globalteer can organise a full package from airport arrival to departure.
Volunteers support the work of the sanctuary by walking the elephants into the forest to forage, observing the elephants in their natural habitat, participating in elephant research and care, conservation of protected jungle and upkeep of the sanctuary.
Volunteers work from Mon to Fri, with weekends free for relaxing or sightseeing in this undiscovered corner of Cambodia.
At the project, volunteers stay in large individual lodges constructed in the traditional Bunong style with western style furniture, including toilet and shower.
Volunteers who want a cheaper option can choose shared dormitory accommodation.
What’s Included in the standard package:
√ Accommodation at the sanctuary √ All main meals while at the sanctuary √ 24 hour in-country support at the sanctuary √ All necessary training by English speaking project staff √ All necessary project equipment and materials √ Project and location orientation guide √ Arrival induction √ Accommodation at a guest house in Sen Monorom during the weekends.
Upgrade your package!
Want to enjoy your trip and be stress free before volunteering? Leave the planning to us and let us arrange your travels to the sanctuary from Phnom Penh!
We have a list of answers to questions frequently asked about the sanctuary.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can come to the elephant sanctuary and help!
To apply click here: Apply nowYou can also donate to support the Elephant sanctuaries in Cambodia & Thailand! Donate Now!
Real Reviews of Globalteer on Volunteer's Social Media
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Wish others would also be as lucky as I am to have such an amazing experience! I can’t stop talking & thinking about this amazing experience... read more I had! I volunteered with Picaflor House in November 2018 for couple of weeks Globalteer team put children into their heart and they direct you accordingly during your volunteer program. The kids are amazing, teachers are so helpful and everything is so well organized that you don’t have anything to worry about. Wish others would also find the opportunity and be as lucky as I am to have such an amazing experience! Thanks much for this great experience read less
burcu eren1/10/2019 -
Great organisation making a real difference. Great organisation making a real difference in Peru.
Nick James12/20/2017 -
Had a great time and was happy to support such a worthwhile project. Having done lots of research on volunteer projects, I decided... read more that this program was the best for me. Globalteer was different to the other organisations, they are a registered charity so I felt straight away that I had some trust in them. They did not disappoint, I had a great time and was happy to support such a worthwhile project. read less
Diego Alonso11/13/2017 -
I think it speaks volumes for the quality and impact of the experience, that I returned for a second trip! I first volunteered at Picaflor House Children's Community Project in... read more Peru in 2014, as a solo traveller, staying in Cusco for two months. I think it speaks volumes for the quality and impact of the experience, that I returned for a second trip at the end of last year - this time for just two weeks, but with my husband, as part of a wider trip through South America. Two very different visits, but both equally rewarding and life-changing. During my first trip, I met with a wide variety of lovely volunteers from all over the world, some of whom I am still in touch with today. In contrast, on our recent trip, we were the only volunteers. However, this allowed us to sample a broad range of experience at the project, and the opportunity to take more responsibility - we got to run two days worth of Art lessons which was great fun, and a real eye-opener, especially for my husband, who had no previous classroom experience. The volunteering at Picaflor is very flexible - our individual skills were used to their best advantage. I focussed on the English classes, using my language and communication training to the full, and my husband worked in the Nursery class, supporting the children to develop their social and practical skills (and honing his fledgling Spanish). In addition, on my first much longer trip, I was able to take the odd day off, enabling me to take in the local art and culture by visiting places of interest further afield. Picaflor House is a really valuable resource for Oropesa. It provides occupation and fun for the children in the afternoon after their school day finishes, allowing parents to work full days, and provides extra academic support, especially with English - particularly important as it enables the children to get better jobs when they leave school. The children at Picaflor are extremely lively (expect more noise, and less formal seated activity than in your average British school), but on both trips we particularly enjoyed the sporting days (as did the children!) on Fridays when everybody came together to play volleyball, football, and to skip, play on the swings and slide, and to dig in the sandpit - Chris enjoyed a particularly muscle-building day breaking up and raking the sand for the children, and I enjoyed a spot of gardening - as I said the experience was very varied! The regular, permanent staff at Picaflor are particularly supportive. We were prepared well in advance - I particularly needed this reassurance on my first trip alone, and even though on my second trip, I knew where everything was, we were confident that we could still access any extra help if needed. As a couple, we received an especially warm welcome on my return, and would definitely consider a third visit in the future. I would highly recommend Picaflor to future volunteers 🙂 read less
Katharine Hughes2/28/2018 -
They are great in every way. I have worked with them twice and I am counting down the days until I return next. Working with Globalteer and Picaflor house is amazing. They're great... read more in every way. I've worked with them during two extended stays in Peru and I'm counting down the days until I return next. read less
Jeff Bartlett
6/30/2017 -
The trip has changed my outlook on life and I believe that this is only the start of my volunteering career! Mid-life crisis? Mid-life adventure? It could have been either.....or even... read more a break from the husband! Following retirement from a demanding career in 2014 I had the luxury and freedom to enjoy being a lady that could wine and dine to her heart’s content but deep down I still yearned for a challenge. Then I came across the amazing opportunity, along with a friend, to work with underprivileged children in Cusco, Peru. This was for a month under Globalteer. I was able to be part of an inspirational and holistic after-school project for 70 children aged from 3-14 in a mountain village near Cusco. The project gives free classes and help with homework to underprivileged children, plus a safe place to play, to learn traditional music and dance, to enjoy free fruit, clean drinking water and a nutritious lunch. Once our applications had been accepted and the relevant checks completed I embarked on a fundraising campaign. Individual Just Giving pages were set up and I approached various companies to donate much needed items for the children such as educational books, art supplies, toys and clothing. My local M&S were very supportive and donated underwear and socks. Anxiety, apprehension and anticipation were just some of the feelings experienced but the time to embark on the adventure soon came round and we flew from Heathrow to Cusco via Bogota. The accommodation was in a family ‘homestay’ as we wanted to embrace and immerse ourselves in the culture and be part of a Peruvian family and also to practice the little Spanish I had learnt. In fact there were 11 people in the house in Wanchaq on the outskirts of Cusco. The family were very friendly and welcoming but you soon began to appreciate what you had left behind and not to take anything for granted. Altitude sickness was the first issue that had to be dealt with. Cusco is around 3400m above the sea level which can present a problem because the human body starts to react at around 2500m. Thankfully after taking the local remedy of Coca Tea and being given oxygen we were up and about after 36 hours. Meeting the children for the first time at Picaflor House was a very emotional experience and brought on the first of many tears. At the end of the first day with them I felt so privileged and humbled to have met them. They had nothing but were always smiling and wanting to hold your hand. I assisted with English classes, Mathematics and activities such as music, crafts and games on a Friday. They delighted in playing the simplest of games such as ‘Piggy In The Middle’ which started off with 3 and then everyone wanted to participate! The older girls made makeshift swings one day from cardboard and ropes! We were advised not to have favourites but I have to own up to having a soft spot for the Kindergarten class! The ongoing project focuses on the young and vulnerable to assist them in finding a way out of the trap of poverty and is aimed at keeping the children in a secure environment off the streets, and providing them with a safe place to learn and enjoy being children. I did witness in various parts of the area young children on their own begging in the streets or trying to sell sweets to motorists whilst waiting at the traffic lights. Sadly despite the wealth of tourist money that enters the country, very little of the money filters down to the average Peruvian and millions live in extreme poverty. This means a lack of education, healthcare and nutrition effects the poorest the hardest. Many homes have no running water or proper sanitation and heating is unheard of. With volunteers Globalteer hope to help the least fortunate live healthily, with dignity and with a future. We caught a local bus to and from the project. The journey was just under 1 hour each way and cost 3.50 soles return – approx £1! On one of our weekends off we visited Machu Picchu – an incomparable wonder and despite having seen so many pictures nothing prepares you for the first time you see the Inca citadel rising high above a bend in the river. It was well worth the 3.45 am alarm call to see the sunrise which was absolutely breath-taking. Another challenge we took on was to eat the local dish ‘Cuy’ – otherwise known as guinea pig! A Peruvian delicacy it is either fried or roasted and cooked whole. We ate it with our hands and although the meat looked like the dark meat of chicken it tasted more like duck. I also celebrated my birthday whilst out there and I gave the children a small bag of ‘Haribo’ sweets as a treat. They were absolutely delighted and so happy to have in their eyes such a luxury. I didn’t need to translate in to Spanish on this occasion – I think ‘sweets’ is a universal language! The trip was an incredible experience not only because of the gratifying sensation of helping in a foreign and vulnerable country, but also learning more about ourselves and appreciating what we have. The children made a lasting impression and I do have intentions to one day return. Volunteering at Piclafor House has taught me to never take things for granted and to realise how we can manage with far less than we think we need – I have a wardrobe of clothes so why do I think I need more? I left a case of clothes and toiletries for a lady I met and she actually filled with tears when she saw the bottle of shampoo I had donated. The trip has changed my outlook on life and I believe that this is only the start of my volunteering career! I would recommend volunteering with Globalteer to anyone who wants to have a memorable life experience. read less
Geraldine Parkin
2/06/2018 -
The most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I have had. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more was one of the most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I've had. Volunteering in local schools allowed me to see parts of the area that I wouldn't have been able to as a tourist, and coaching sports to the school children offered me a chance to interact with locals and engage in their culture. Communication with Globalteer leading up to and during my trip was easy and constant. All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive, always eager to help me out with any issues or concerns I had. Free time during the evenings and weekends allowed me to explore and enjoy what Siem Reap has to offer. I would definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a new culture, step out their comfort zone and make a difference to the local area! read less
Colin Elkington1/14/2018 -
I felt very much taken care of and I met amazing people who worked on other Globalteer projects. Coming from a country with very few organisations that offer... read more international volunteering jobs (Austria), I had to trust online reviews from other volunteers when I tried to find a suitable project for my sabbatical. And in my research, Globalteer was described as a very reliable organisation which offers an authentic insight into the countries where it operates. As a volunteer of the Cambodia Community Project for 4 weeks where I worked as a teacher in the rural Helping Hands Cambodia School outside of Siem Reap, I can only say that I had made the best choice. Everyting worked out perfectly - all my questions were answered promptly before my stay, I felt very much taken care of during the project and I met amazing people who worked on other Globalteer projects and they have all become an important part of my life. I think my teaching job out there in the country couldn't have given me a better insight into the life of this young country. I feel very much connected with the teachers and especially these fantastic kids that I met and since my return I have been following all their projects very closely. Should you want to know more about my volunteering experience with Globalteer, you can visit my blog, which you find if you google for: evaoff4abit.wordpress read less
Eva Deix
1/14/2018 -
If you go there, you would definitely love it. I stayed in Picaflor House for like one month and... read more a half. I really really appreciate everything they've done for the kids, and what I have learned from them. They are so happy, so pure, and so cute. If you go there, you would definitely love it. If you are wondering where you should go for volunteering, especially for those who love kids, Picaflor is the best choice, and Cusco is one of your best destinations. You would not regret it. read less
PICKLE SMART
8/31/2019 -
All the Globalteer staff I have worked with have become friends and I value their support and encouragement. I have volunteered with the Globalteer Cambodia Community Project in... read more 2014 and twice in 2017 and will be returning this year, 2018. It is my home away from home. All the GT staff I've worked with in that time have become friends and I value their support and encouragement. The project itself is amazing and I highly recommend it to anybody who loves kids, is keen to be involved in a sustainable education project and who wants to see and learn about Cambodia village life. The work that Globalteer does will go on to benefit Cambodia and Cambodians for many years to come. read less
Sally Bateman
1/17/2018 -
If you’re considering getting involved, just do it! I guarantee you won’t regret it. I had an AMAZING experience volunteering on two different projects... read more with Globalteer. You really get to experience life in a completely different culture, whilst making a significant difference to the projects and local communities. The Globalteer staff are all so helpful and welcoming, and the little things like being picked up from the airport and being shown around the local area made my trip so much easier, and meant I settled in straight away. If you’re considering getting involved, just do it! I guarantee you won’t regret it. read less
Jess Robinson
1/12/2018 -
It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. Late last year I was able to spend a month... read more in Peru to volunteer at two of the Globalteer programs- The Dog Shelter in Cusco and The Amazon Wildlife Sanctuary in Puerto Maldonado. It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. I was picked up from the airport and the staff made me feel so welcome and at home. Being a young girl in a country like Peru, my family and friends were quite worried at first, as was I, however, I felt safe the entire time. I didn't have to worry one bit about the organisation of both volunteer groups, even though they were on the opposite sides of the country, it was an easy process with the staff being so quick and prompt in replies and helpful when I arrived in Cusco. I genuinely had an incredible time with so many life lessons and learning experiences taught throughout the trip. Would definitely recommend even if this is your first time overseas alone - as it was mine. read less
Tiarne Biviano2/02/2019 -
I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future! I volunteered with the Peru Community Project out of Cuzco... read more for 5 weeks. I was so impressed with the amazing work they are doing at Picaflor and how well the kids and the community responded to the project. Furthermore, I was grateful for how helpful and welcoming the staff was. I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future! read less
Lauren Franklin
6/30/2017 -
All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more was one of the most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I've had. Volunteering in local schools allowed me to see parts of the area that I wouldn't have been able to as a tourist, and coaching sports to the school children offered me a chance to interact with locals and engage in their culture. Communication with Globalteer leading up to and during my trip was easy and constant. All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive, always eager to help me out with any issues or concerns I had. Free time during the evenings and weekends allowed me to explore and enjoy what Siem Reap has to offer. I would definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a new culture, step out their comfort zone and make a difference to the local area! read less
Colin Elkington1/13/2018 -
Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Such a rewarding experience. Candice and Globalteer were there every... read more step of the way to help facilitate everything. Spent 2 weeks at a dog rescue in Cusco, Peru. I highly recommend them! read less
Peter DiFrancesca
7/10/2017 -
I met a fab group of people and they made the trip even better! I had the best time volunteering, especially with a background... read more in childcare I found this an amazing experience and highly recommend to anyone who is thinking about doing it. I met a fab group of people and they made the trip even better! The people who support you from Globalteer keep you informed and are always there through-out your trip and I hope to come back in the near future! read less
Hope Wilson
1/16/2018 -
Globalteer employ members of staff who themselves have a passion for travelling. Having chosen to spend three-weeks volunteering on a Cambodia Community... read more Project in Siem Reap, a perfect school placement was found, which allowed me to gain one of my most memorable life experiences to date. The regional Globalteer team in Asia managed to find an excellent placement school, which not only allowed me to gain new skills, but also share my teacher training experiences with others. From the moment I landed in Siem Reap, the local Globalteer helped me to settle in, and remained available as a support network, as well as my fellow volunteers. Regular catch-up nights meant that a shared social life was available. Such events facilitated wide-ranging conversations between volunteers who were working on a range of different projects whilst in town. At the same time, space was afforded for each volunteer to shape their own experiences. Globalteer employ members of staff who themselves have a passion for travelling and volunteering, and it’s this methodology that helps create a great experience for their volunteers. It’s therefore my pleasure to highly recommend Globalteer projects to future volunteers. read less
Nathan Crook
1/25/2018 -
Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor... read more House. From the Moment I arrived I was collected by staff and shown around Cusco. I also got to enjoy the weekly quiz nights with staff from globalteer. The staff went out of there way to make me feel welcome. I had an amazing time at picaflor house. The children were beautiful. Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend globalteer!!!! read less
Katrina Baxter
7/04/2017 -
Everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. Volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House was an incredible experience... read more - everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. I can fully recommend volunteering with them to anyone who wishes to spend their time and energy on a worthwhile charity project! read less
Hannah Verity Stone
6/30/2017 -
It was a life-changing experience for me, one that I will never forget. I absolutely loved my time volunteering in Cambodia with Globalteer!... read more I worked at Helping Hands School in a rural village outside of Siem Reap--very different from my native New York City. Globalteer representatives Jillian and Theavy worked with me to find a placement that allowed me to use my skill set. I am a School Librarian, and I was able to start a lending library with books that had been donated by students at my school in New York. I also assisted with English classes. The Globalteer staff was supportive, and the students and teachers were absolutely amazing. It was a life-changing experience for me, one that I will never forget. read less
Ann Quinlivan5/31/2018 -
Well organised, really helpful and welcoming staff. I had an amazing experience volunteering with Globalteer earlier this... read more year. Well organised, really helpful and welcoming staff and a great range of really worthwhile and sustainable projects! Definitely recommend!!! read less
Jessica Robinson1/12/2018 -
The staff working there are dedicated but also good fun. What an amazing experience! We spent a week with this... read more incredible sanctuary in August 2018. The passion for the animals in the care of this rescue sanctuary is genuine and heartfelt. The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. Loved the interactions with the monkeys, deer, and birds and building the monkey house for the howlers, I hope they enjoy it for many years to come. I strongly recommend anyone who is visiting Peru and wants to genuinely help wild animals to be returned back to their natural habitat to spend time here. read less
Hercules Moriarty9/22/2018 -
The benefits of doing this work through Globalteer were many. I worked on the clean water project in Siem Reap... read more in October 2018 and it was one of the most satisfying experiences I've ever had. Although the water project was with another NGO (with who Globalteer is a partner), the benefits of doing this work through Globalteer were many. As a woman doing this adventure on my own I was part of the Globalteer family and very well looked after. Having that security mattered. The accommodation was terrific, the Globalteer volunteer co-ordinator who was my go-to person (the wonderful Theavy) was amazing, meeting and socialising with other volunteers was huge fun and spending some time with Chris, the country manager, was educational and insightful. I'm going back this year to do it all again. Can't wait to see old friends and meet new ones while making a tangible difference to the lives of many. read less
Justine Auton
1/14/2018 -
The whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. All the Globalteer staff made me feel really welcome. I spent a couple of weeks volunteering at the Helping... read more Hands School just outside Siem Reap. The whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. All the Globalteer staff made me feel really welcome and were always on hand to answer any questions. The school itself was really well run and the kids were brilliant to work with. It felt like such a worthwhile way to spend my holiday. Will definitely be going back! read less
Holly Bygrave7/26/2018 -
Globalteer in Cusco was one of the best summers of my life. This was one of the most life changing experiences i... read more have had. the people i worked with became some of my best friends. the children that i worked with were so amazing and fun that they made it so hard to leave. globalteer cusco was one of the best summers of my life. if you have doubts about what to do with your life or just want to do something meaningful, I cannot recommend globalteer enough. i promise you will not regret it. read less
Paxton Perry
10/09/2023 -
I had the privilege of working as an Intern in Peru with Globalteer I had the privilege of working as an NGO Assistant... read more Intern in Peru with Globalteer for 6 months. I did this as part of university placement year and truly had such an enriching and valuable experience. The team of people you work with are all passionate about the mission of the charity and never fail to make you feel supported and at home. Picaflor House and the children that attend it everyday were by far the highlight. My time in Peru with Globalteer came to an end a few short months ago and I have not stopped thinking about it since. I have undoubtedly grown as a person and learnt such more from Lena and Jim and the lovely interns I lived with who are know life long friends. I am so grateful to Globalteer for all that you do and for allowing me to be part of this team. Do not hesitate to intern at Globalteer it is an experience unlike any other. Thank you for everything, I miss you all so much. ❤ read less
Milly O'Connell
10/04/2023 -
Would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad. A wonderful organisation that's truly dedicated to helping the communities... read more they work with. They ensure the volunteers are contributing as much as possible and putting their skills to the best possible use. I had an incredible experience with Globalteer and would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad. read less
Anna Hilbert9/30/2019 -
Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Learnt so much in an authentic and safe environment. Accomdation... read more was also perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Working hours flexible for a passionate explorer like myself read less
Crystal2/13/2018 -
Could not fault the hard work these people put in to support people less fortunate than myself. Great experience in Peru, couldn't fault the hard work these... read more people put in to support people less fortunate than myself. No ones perfect but all you can do is your best. Thanks guys read less
Mark Catling
6/30/2017 -
Each morning I woke up excited and full of energy to meet the other amazing volunteers and start our work! This experience was one of the most rewarding things I... read more have done - it opened my eyes to how other cultures in different countries cope without luxuries that we take for granted each day. I began volunteering with Globalteer on the Clean Water project in Cambodia for 2 weeks. Each week consisted of 3 days of building the water filters and 2 days going to the different villages and giving the water filters to those who needed them. All of the stages were important and I felt like I was really making a real difference. Each morning I woke up excited and full of energy to meet the other amazing volunteers and start our work for the day! I loved going into the villages the most, as you could see how grateful the locals were to receive such an important gift into their lives! After my two weeks of volunteering I managed to get a job with globalteer running the sports project ... yes that is how much I fell in love with Cambodia, the people, the culture and their way of thinking! Globalteer is brilliant and were so hands on with any problem or issue that arose! I have had nothing but positive experiences and will always follow the amazing things they do daily! read less
Robert Bisson
1/12/2018 -
It was a huge eye opener and I would do it again in a heartbeat! I volunteered with Globalteer in Cambodia last year and I... read more had an amazing experience. Every member of the team there were so hospitable and friendly, that it made it feel like a home from home. I worked on two projects, building waterfilters and the women's empowerment program, where we made intricate products with the locals from plastic bags! It was a huge eye opener and I would do it again in a heartbeat! read less
Fiona Mehmet1/16/2018 -
The Globalteer staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and made me feel right at home. One of the best experiences I've ever had! The Globalteer... read more staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and made me feel right at home. Whenever there was an event going on, they always made me feel included. Such an amazing experience helping animals and being in such a great city. read less
Anna Von Foerster
6/30/2017 -
This trip was very well organized by Globalteer. I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer with Globalteer at... read more the Northern Thailand Elephant Sanctuary! It was amazing being at this sanctuary and if you love being outdoors with animals then I highly recommend this one. One of the best things about this sanctuary is that you can stay overnight! It is incredible to see the elephants before you turn in for the night and then watch them get bathed in the morning as you eat your breakfast. This trip was very well organized by Globalteer. The sanctuary is small but it gives you the chance to really see the animals in their natural habitat. You can participate in feedings and sit in bungalows out in the jungle and just watch these magnificent creatures. Meals are filling and delicious and I highly recommend staying for a few nights. read less
Kayla Lynne Kiteley
1/25/2018 -
I would most definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone who is interested in volunteering. My experience with Globalteer was amazing and I've volunteered with... read more them two years in a row now in Siem Reap. The staff are incredible and very accommodating which definitely made the idea of travelling to a new country alone a lot less daunting. The projects they have really immerse you into Cambodian culture as you're working with locals so you get the opportunity to really see how the Khmer live. Siem Reap itself is a wonderful town with plenty of restaurants, local and western, and an endless list of things to do. I would most definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone who's interested in volunteering. read less
A.N. Barry1/14/2018
“I would definitely recommend this project - it's a once in a lifetime experience!”
Elise, Teacher, UK
Volunteer rated at
(5 / 5)
