Volunteer and save lives with the Cambodia Clean Water Project
Volunteer to help provide rural communities access to clean, safe drinking water at the Cambodia Clean Water Project!
1 to 12 weeks from £412 / US$495
Water-borne illness can be deadly, preventing children from attending school and their parents from working. This great project helps prevent illness, saves lives and protects livelihoods. If you are looking for volunteer work in Cambodia; this project has a high impact on many communities and villages! Volunteer in the friendliest country in the world to help provide clean, safe water to communities in need.
Project Overview
Immerse yourself in Khmer culture and volunteer to provide clean, safe water to villages and communities in need. Volunteers build water filters and distribute them to villages surrounding Siem Reap.
Assist the local staff in making the amazing Bio Sand filters! The filters provide years of clean, safe drinking water for villages and saves lives. Volunteer to help provide clean water to villages in need! Live and volunteer in the wonderful town of Siem Reap for a life changing experience!
Volunteer at the Clean Water Project and make a real difference
This volunteer opportunity allows you to make a real, long lasting difference to lives in Cambodia. Gain new skills whilst changing lives by providing access to clean drinking water for those living in poverty. There is still a lack of access to safe water for many people in Cambodia. This causes sanitation and hygiene issue that lead to wide spread sickness. And in many cases disease from water borne illness can be fatal. By providing villages with access to clean water to drink, this reduces the risk of water borne illness and resulting deaths.
You will have the opportunity to learn about a different culture and visit the incredible temples of Angkor Wat. Join us to help at our most popular community volunteer programme in Siem Reap!
The Cambodia Clean Water Project Summary
The Project: The innovative project tackles some of the deadliest symptoms of extreme poverty by addressing one of the root causes; lack of clean drinking water. By giving communities access to clean, disease-free drinking water the risks of illness are significantly reduced.
Project Location: The charming town of Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia; home to the UNESCO world heritage-listed Angkor Wat temple complex. There is an international airport with good connections to the capital Phnom Penh and further afield in Asia. Siem Reap has good range of facilities for visitors; a variety of shops, excellent restaurants, lively & traditional bars and plenty of unique sightseeing opportunities. There are also good medical facilities in the town should you need them.
Main Volunteer Activities: Volunteers work with local Khmer staff on building and installing water filters. Volunteer work also includes assisting with well digging in rural villages. There is also the option to help out in the project's kitchen garden.
Hours: Volunteers work from Mon to Fri for 6 hours a day. Weekends are free for sightseeing, relaxing or travelling through this beautiful and diverse country.
Duration: Volunteer placements are year-round and for 1 to 12 weeks.
Accommodation: Choose from a private ensuite room in a locally owned hotel with outdoor pool. Or upgrade to a more upmarket three star hotel, also with outdoor pool. Both options are centrally located and within walking distance of Globalteer's office.
Volunteer Requirements: Volunteers at this project must be aged 18+ and have a reasonable level of fitness; some of the work can be tiring in the hot and humid climate.
Project History
How the project is helping
The project supplies water filters to villagers in need. They also dig wells to find reliable supplies of water that can then be treated in the filters. The bio-sand water filters used by our partner are a low cost way to provide potable water to impoverished areas from any source (i.e.: pump wells, pit wells, rivers, ponds). Sand filters are a relatively new technology to Cambodia, but are highly effective. They are easy to construct with locally available materials, and simple to install and maintain.
Operation and maintenance is simple and within the capabilities of any user. A single filter provides sufficient water fast enough to keep up with a family’s demand. Each filter can filter 50 - 80 litres of water a day. With sufficient manpower and funding there is no limit to the impact of this amazing project.
Why the project need volunteers
To bring clean water and a healthy future to rural village communities across the Siem Reap area; The Cambodia Clean Water Project relies entirely on private donations, grants and volunteer support. Additionally, the more hands there are to do the work the more water filters can be built and installed where they are needed most.
As a volunteer you are very much part of a dedicated team; by sharing the various tasks that go into creating the life-saving filters, you will see the impact of your work almost immediately. This project provides volunteer work in Cambodia for those wishing to make a real impact. Helping provide access to clean water for those living in poverty in Siem Reap you will be making a real difference!
Typical Volunteer Duties
Volunteers spend a minimum of 3 days a week building the filters under the expert supervision of experienced staff at the project HQ. One day a week is spent travelling to local villages to install the filters and instruct villagers on their use. On this day volunteers are required to work a full day.
Volunteers who are prepared to help with the project's market garden are particularly welcome. Produce is grown here and sold to local hotels and restaurants to help provide funding to the project. The work can be physically demanding so a good level of fitness is required for this programme.
Accommodations when you Volunteer in Siem Reap with Globalteer
Volunteers at the Siem Reap projects can choose from a range of accommodation options including our very own Volunteer House, a private room in a Standard Hotel and an Upgrade Hotel. All accommodation has been carefully selected by us to offer the best value for all our volunteers regardless of budget. So if you are looking for somewhere quiet to lay your head at the end of a busy day, somewhere lively where you can socialise with other travellers, we have what you are looking for. All of our accommodations are clean, comfortable and safe and well located for transport to the project as well as all the attractions that Siem Reap has to offer. When you volunteer in Siem Reap, you can choose one of these great accommodation options:
Globalteer’s Volunteer House
One of our most popular option for people coming to volunteer in Siem Reap is our very own Volunteer House. You will be sharing the house with other volunteers all coming from different parts of the world!
The volunteer house is located in a quiet residential area around National Road 6 and 6km from Angkor International Airport. It is situated far enough from the hustle-bustle and noise of the main markets, giving it a peaceful setting. However, the area has available markets, convenience stores, and not too far from the numerous temples inside the city.
The house has 6 bedrooms that are shared with other volunteers. Wi-Fi is free and accessible throughout the property. All rooms have fans, en-suite bathrooms, towels and linens. Air conditioning is available for an additional charge. The Volunteer House also features a shared kitchen, balcony as well as a lounge area to watch online movies on TV.
This option is great if you are looking for cultural exchange with like-minded people in a safe and enjoyable environment.
The Standard Hotel
The standard hotel is in a popular Cambodian-owned Guest House, close to Globalteer’s offices in Siem Reap. Rooms are single occupancy or can be shared if volunteers are travelling together.
Volunteer rooms are clean and comfortable, each with hot water, ensuite toilet and shower. The rooms have fans but you can upgrade it to air conditioning for a daily fee. Cable TV is available in all rooms with channels in English, and each room has a small fridge for storing cold drinks and snacks. The guest house also has several larger air-con rooms which are assigned on a first-come first-served basis to guests who pay the additional fee for air conditioning. Make sure you specify if you would like an aircon room when you apply.
The guest house has a bar area and restaurant, all set in lovely leafy grounds. Globalteer volunteers also have use of our very own social area - just right for a drink and snack after a long day working at your project. There is also a small pool for that refreshing end of day dip!
There are also plenty of Khmer restaurants near the guest house if you fancy "going local" in the evenings. Free WiFi internet is available in rooms and in communal areas. We also have a team of friendly and reliable tuk-tuk drivers on hand with specially negotiated rates should you need transport at any time.
Our Upgrade Accommodation
We know that some volunteers prefer a few more creature comforts when they get to the end of a long, hard day working at their project. To be honest, if you are generous enough to donate your time and money to volunteer with us, then you deserve to be as comfortable as possible during your placement!
Upgrade volunteer rooms are located in the modern G&Z Urban Hotel situated on the Siem Reap River, just a 4-minute walk to Pub Street and within walking distance to Globalteer’s offices. They offer a higher standard of comfort and more facilities for volunteers who don’t mind paying a little extra. Rooms are spacious with large beds, cable TV, free wi-fi, in-room safe, tea and coffee making facilities and a mini bar. The rooms have modern en-suite bathrooms that are spotlessly clean. Air-conditioning comes as standard – there are no surcharges to pay here. Rooms also offer a desk which is convenient for planning your volunteer sessions or writing postcards and journal entries. You will also receive bathrobes and slippers, a perfect way to relax after a day working at your project!
The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and poolside bar and a restaurant. It serves free breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a good variety of reasonably priced Cambodian and international dishes. There is an on-site business center if you require some computer time. Spa services are available if your muscles really need some therapy after a day in the field!
Free Time in Siem Reap and Cambodia
Our team in Siem Reap are all very well travelled throughout the country and further afield in Southeast Asia; they can offer plenty of travel tips. There are lots of options for weekends in Siem Reap as well as for travel before or after your placement. Here are just a few of Cambodia’s treasures to whet your appetite.
Siem Reap
Angkor Wat and the temple complexes
Visitors come to Siem Reap to visit the temples of Angkor. There are over 100 temples scattered in the area in various states of decay. Some in overgrown jungle, some on lakes. Rest assured everyone leaves with their own personal favourite temple!
Some people visit for one day to see the main attractions. But we would recommend 3 days exploring the temples to get a much better overview of this incredible period in Cambodian history. On arrival in Siem Reap our friendly staff can advise the best ways and times to visit the temples.
Tonle Sap Lake
Tonle Sap is the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia and an attraction in its own right. About 10km form Siem Reap, the lake stretches almost as far as the country's capital Phnom Penh. Its size varies enormously between the wet and dry seasons. Half the year the waters flow into the lake from the river Mekong and for the rest of the year the waters flow in the other direction; giving the lake a unique ecosystem.
Boat trips on the lake are very popular and you can visit lake the famous floating villages and stilt villages. Orginally home to refugees, they have grown into entire communities with schools, shops and houses sitting directly on or over the water. Also venture further to see the wildlife sanctuary which is home to several species of endangered birds. You can also take a kayak through the famous sunken forests.
Further Afield
For a small country Cambodia has a lot to offer those who have time to travel further afield.
Phonm Penh is a short flight away or 6-8 hours by road and is home to many popular attractions. The magnificent Royal Palace and the restaurants and bars along Sisowath Quay are on every vistor's list. There are also more sombre sites of S-21 prison and the Killing fields; reminders of Cambodia's tragic past and the genocide under the Khmer Rouge Regime.
In the south of the country you will find the laid back coastal towns of Kampot and Kep. As well as the lively beach resort of Sihanoukville. There are some lovely unspolit islands where you can kick back and recharge your batteries. You will also find jungles, forests and the wildlife havens of The Cardamom Mountains. Buses and internal flights from Siem Reap airport make getting around easy and relatively cheap.
For those who have time there are also regular direct flights from Siem Reap to other must-see Southeast Asian destinations: such as Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore as well as long distance buses.
Fee Options
Base Donation
The base donation for volunteering is where all money received goes to the charity, our charitable activities, charity partners and supporting volunteers in country. Your daily transport to the project is also included.
Standard Package
The standard package fee includes everything in the base donation. Plus standard hotel accommodation & private airport collection.
Standard Package plus AirCon
The standard hotel does not include air-conditioning but this can be added on. We recommend that you book this early as their are limited number of air-con rooms.
Upgrade Hotel
Volunteers can also choose to upgrade their accommodation to a hotel. This includes more facilities, larger rooms and air-conditioning. Accommodations are carefully selected by our team in Cambodia for their great locations, suitability for volunteers and value for money.
Financial Transparency
As a UK registered Charity, Globalteer is completely financially transparent to you, 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 and in-country support from the Globalteer team in Cambodia. 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 Included
√ In-country support from Globalteer staff.
√ Daily transport to and from the project location.
√ Cambodia orientation guide and arrival induction.
√ Free town tour.
√ All necessary project equipment and materials.
√ All necessary project training by Globalteer staff.
√ Free Globalteer water bottle and welcome pack.
√ Project donation.
With the Full Package
√ Free airport pick up from Siem Reap airport.
√ Accommodation at a comfortable hotel with pool.
What’s not included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Vaccinations and inoculations
- Onward transport at the end of your placement
- Police or background check (where necessary)
What do everyday items cost?
The official currency of Cambodia is the Riel, however, all shops and market stalls accept US$ and you may be given small change in local currency ($1 = 4000 Riels). Be aware that dollar bills with any tears or markings are generally not accepted. ATMs dispense cash in US$. 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 Clean Water Project
The innovative project tackles some of the deadliest symptoms of extreme poverty by addressing one of the root causes; lack of clean drinking water.
By giving communities access to clean, disease-free drinking water the risks of illness are significantly reduced.
Join us at the Clean Water Project and make a difference, helping to provide disadvantaged communities access to safe drinking water.
Volunteers at the Sports Project can choose from the Globalteer volunteer house, a private ensuite room in a locally owned hotel with outdoor pool, or upgrade to a more upmarket hotel, also with outdoor pool.
All accommodation has been carefully selected by us to offer the best value for all our volunteers regardless of budget. All of our accommodations are clean, comfortable, safe and centrally located and within walking distance of Globalteer's office
What’s Included in the base package:
√ In-country support from Globalteer staff in Siem Reap. √ Cambodia orientation guide and induction on arrival. √ Free Siem Reap town tour. √ All necessary project equipment and materials. √ All necessary project training by experienced staff. √ Globalteer water bottle and welcome pack. √ Project donation. √ Daily transport to and from your project.
With the Accommodation Packages
√ Free airport pick up from Siem Reap international airport. √ Accommodation in the Volunteer House or at a hotel with a pool.
We have a list of answers to questions frequently asked about the project.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can come to the project and help!
To apply click here: Apply nowReal Reviews of Globalteer on Volunteer's Social Media
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 DiFrancesca7/10/2017I 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 Wilson1/16/2018It 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 Biviano2/02/2019Each 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 Bisson1/12/2018The 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
