Volunteer in Cambodia with Children at the Community Programme
Volunteer in Cambodia and work alongside inspirational teachers to give underprivileged children the chance of a better future. Volunteers work at incredible projects such as Helping Hands Cambodia to make a difference for these amazing children. Volunteer in the friendliest country in the world and visit the amazing Temples of Angkor Wat.
Talk to Jess who lives in Siem Reap and will be happy to help!
Make sure to ask for her at info@globalteer.org or use the contact form below:
Project Overview
Immerse yourself in the Cambodian culture while working with Globalteer's international and local staff in the beautiful town of Siem Reap. Volunteers work at sustainable local projects like Globalteer's own rural programme, Helping Hands Cambodia.
Assist staff at the project in English classes, arts, games, sports and the breakfast programme, and support the development of these amazing kids. Live and volunteer in the friendly town of Siem Reap, for a life changing experience!
Volunteer in Cambodia and make a real difference
This volunteer programme allows you to make a real difference working with a with a UK Charity. Gain new skills whilst working with amazing children of Cambodia.
You will have the opportunity to learn about a different culture and visit the incredible temples of Angkor Wat. Join us at our most popular community volunteer programme!
Learn more about Volunteering in Cambodia
Volunteer in Cambodia with Globalteer and experience our rural projects in the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Travel every day in a tuk-tuk through rice paddy fields and get to know the real Cambodia!
Summary of the Cambodia Volunteer Project
The Project: Volunteer in Cambodia with Globalteer where volunteers work at one of our carefully selected education-focused projects. Including Globalteer's own rural school, Helping Hands Cambodia, which gives free education to almost 300 children. Projects take an holistic approach to helping the poorest escape the cycle of poverty, focusing on education, health, hygiene, nutrition and by addressing the most pressing needs of the communities we work with.
Project Location: In and around the charming town of Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia. Home to the incomparable UNESCO world heritage-listed Angkor Wat temple complex. There is an international airport with good connections to the capital Phnom Penh and further afield throughout Asia. Siem Reap has a good range of facilities for visitors. These include a variety of shops, excellent restaurants, lively and traditional bars and plenty of unique sightseeing opportunities. There are also good medical facilities in the town, should you need them.
Volunteers
Main Volunteer Activities: Volunteers work with local Cambodian staff, assisting with English, arts & crafts, and sports, and helping teachers to plan lessons. You may also get involved in food preparation, gardening and maintenance of project facilities.
Hours: Volunteers work from Mon to Fri, with weekends free for sightseeing, relaxing or travelling through this beautiful and diverse country. Exact daily hours depend on the project volunteers are assigned to but usually don't exceed six hours a day.
Duration: Volunteer placements are year-round and for 1 to 12 weeks.
Volunteer Accommodation: Choose from a private ensuite room in a locally owned hotel with outdoor pool or upgrade to a more upmarket hotel, also with outdoor pool. Both options are centrally located and within walking distance of Globalteer's office.
Requirements to volunteer in Cambodia: Volunteers at this project must be aged 18+ (unless volunteering with a guardian) and have fluent English. As you will be working with vulnerable children, we also require a background check.
Volunteer Placement Fee: From UK£349 / US$459
Project History
The Cambodia Community programme was one of Globalteer's first ever projects. We have been placing volunteers here since 2006. Initially the programme featured just one school which provided free education and advice on health and hygiene to a community of three rural villages just outside Siem Reap.
Over the years Globalteer has formed partnerships with a handful of carefully chosen projects. These projects share our aims of providing sustainable, community-led solutions to the issues caused by extreme poverty. We now work with a small number of education-focused projects. They look to employ volunteers to help their own paid local staff with a variety of essential tasks across the projects. We also run our own programme, Helping Hands Cambodia, for almost 300 children in the beautiful Cambodian countryside.
Since we have been working in Cambodia, our projects have helped children from poor villages to stay in school, go on to university and secure well-paid jobs. Many former students now work in areas such as accountancy, hospitality, IT and even medicine. Volunteer in Cambodia with this project and you can contribute to these incredible success stories.
How the project is helping
Despite the wealth of tourist money that enters Cambodia, very little of this money filters down to the average Cambodian. Malnutrition is common among Cambodian children and Cambodia has the highest under 5 mortality rate in the East Asia and Pacific region. Cambodia is among the poorest countries in the world.
Poverty in Cambodia is characterized by low income, poor nutritional status, low educational attainment, less access to health services, and less access to economic opportunities.
The projects we work with focus on education as the key to better health, nutrition, education and economic opportunity for all. With the support of volunteers and the project donation from your volunteer placement fee, we are helping responsible projects achieve long term change and giving the least fortunate a chance to live healthily, with dignity and with a future.
Why the project need volunteers
The projects in our Cambodia Community Programme receive no state funding. But through volunteer support, private donations and grants, the project continues working with some of the poorest children in the world, their families and their communities, setting them up for a bright future with a long term vision.
Volunteer in Cambodia to make a huge difference at this project where you will work with the permanent project staff helping with a variety of activities to suit your skills and experience. Volunteers bring much needed extra pairs of hands and can introduce new enthusiasm, energy and ideas into every day of your stay.
Learn more about the Cambodia Volunteer Programme
Globalteer has been working in Cambodia since 2006 and we have a wealth of experience in this amazing country. If you want to Volunteer in Cambodia then come and join our amazing team.
Learn about what it was like for volunteers when they received a Blessing from a Monk in Siem Reap's oldest working Buddhist temple.
Get to know when is the Best Time to go to Cambodia and experience it's rich and ancient culture.
Read more posts about the Cambodia Volunteer Programme.
Volunteer at multiple projects in Siem Reap
Do you want to Volunteer in Cambodia and experience multiple projects? With Globalteer, you can combine any two or more of our different programmes in Siem Reap.
You can combine placements at the Cambodia Community Project, Women's Empowerment Project, Clean Water Project or Food & Farming Project. Volunteer in Cambodia with Globalteer and support multiple amazing projects!
Why not read about a volunteer's experience at multiple projects in Siem Reap.
Learn more about combining projects in Siem Reap
Typical Volunteer Duties
Volunteers work between 4 and 6 hours a day, Monday to Friday with a break for lunch and all weekends off. This gives you plenty of time to relax, take in some local sightseeing, travel further afield in Cambodia or even some of the neighbouring countries!
Tasks when you Volunteer in Cambodia
There is always a range of tasks to be carried out by volunteers, and you will work with our local staff on some or all of the following:
- Assisting local staff preparing for classes
- Assisting teachers in English classes
- Helping out with arts & crafts, games and sports
- Assisting our local teachers with maths, reading and communication classes
- Helping to supervise children on local excursions and outings
- Assisting in cleaning classrooms and playgrounds
- Assisting with general maintenance around the project
Volunteer Reviews from the Cambodia Community Volunteer Programme
Why not read about previous volunteer experiences to get to know more about what you will doing when you volunteer in Cambodia with Globalteer?
Volunteer Spotlight: Colin
Volunteer Spotlight: Anne
More Volunteer Reviews
Volunteering in Cambodia - What's it Really Like?
Accommodations when you Volunteer in Cambodia with Globalteer
Volunteers with the Cambodia Community Programme can choose from our standard or upgrade accommodations. Both accommodations are located centrally in Siem Reap and are within walking distance of the Globalteer office where you can catch up with our friendly team, make use of our teaching resources or stock up on your free supply of drinking water! They also offer 24-hour security and reception giving volunteers both peace of mind and easy access at all times.
Our Standard Accommodation
Our standard volunteer accommodation is in the popular Cambodian-owned Bou Savy Guest House located 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 can be upgraded 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 which 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 when you volunteer in Cambodia
When you volunteer in Cambodia, you will work with our team in Siem Reap who are all very well travelled throughout the country and further afield in Southeast Asia and can offer plenty of travel tips. There are lots of options for weekends in the town 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
Most visitors come to Cambodia 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. We would recommend 3 days exploring the temples to get a much better overview of this incredible period in Cambodian history. On arrival, 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 from the town, the lake stretches almost as far as the country's capital Phnom Penh. Its size varies enormously between the wet and dry seasons and half the year the waters flow into the lake from the river Mekong. 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. Originally home to refugees which 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 and take a kayak through the famous sunken forests.
More great things to do in Siem Reap
For a small town, there are lots of things happening in Siem Reap!
From water festivals, dragon boat racing, Buddhist festivals, Apsara dancing to the biggest festival of all at Khmer New Year.
For a low down of events, you can read our blog on the Best Time to go to Cambodia to help you decide when to volunteer.
You could be there for the Siem Reap Puppet Parade or the Pchum Ben Festival honouring the dead.
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 visitor's list. Along with the 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 unspoilt islands where you can kick back and recharge your batteries as well as 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 which 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.
| British Pounds £ | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks | Base Donation | Standard Package | Standard + AirCon | Upgrade hotel |
| 1 | £354 | £413 | £445 | £536 |
| 2 | £470 | £588 | £652 | £833 |
| 3 | £586 | £762 | £859 | £1,130 |
| 4 | £701 | £937 | £1,065 | £1,427 |
| Extra weeks | £115 | £174 | £207 | £297 |
| United States Dollars USD$ | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks | Base Donation | Standard Package | Standard + AirCon | Upgrade hotel |
| 1 | $461 | $536 | $578 | $696 |
| 2 | $611 | $762 | $846 | $1,081 |
| 3 | $761 | $988 | $1,114 | $1,467 |
| 4 | $912 | $1,214 | $1,382 | $1,853 |
| Extra weeks | $151 | $226 | $268 | $385 |
Siem Reap Accommodation questions
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
“You hear people say they've had life-changing experiences. This was.”
Sally, Teaching Assistant, Australia
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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![Facebook Logo]()
I had the best time volunteering, especially with a background in childcare I found this an amazing experience and highly... read more 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![Facebook Logo]()
I have volunteered with the Globalteer Cambodia Community Project in 2014 and twice in 2017 and will be returning this... read more 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![Facebook Logo]()
One of the best experiences I've ever had! The Globalteer staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and made me feel right... read more 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![Facebook Logo]()
![Holly Bygrave Avatar]()
I spent a couple of weeks volunteering at the Helping Hands School just outside Siem Reap. The whole experience was... read more 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 Bygrave 7/26/2018![Google Logo]()
![Nick James Avatar]()
Great organisation making a real difference in Peru.
Nick James 12/20/2017![Google Logo]()
Lorrel Walker 7/01/2017![Facebook Logo]()
