Volunteer Programs in Rural Areas, Cambodia

Join GoEco and experience Cambodian culture by volunteering for children in the local community of Samraong. Become involved in various activities and get to spend an eco-trip after your placement. Your main role is to help boost the educational experience of underprivileged children, both inside and outside the classroom. Teach them english and assist in construction projects. A day’s work typically ends at around 5:00 pm, during which you can have dinner and then relax or hang out with fellow volunteers. This program is open to volunteers who have: - Minimum age of 18 - Good level of English - Motivation to work with children and meet new cultures - Full travel and medical insurance - Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Volunteer abroad with Kaya and help make quality education accessible to children from rural areas. You will work at a voluntary school started in 2008 by a local community leader to encourage kids to learn English. This project had a largely positive impact, with more than 400 children attending either the morning or afternoon session. What’s amazing is that these children participate willingly and truly enjoy learning from international volunteers. Each class usually has 10-30 students and classrooms are equipped with basic resources, including a whiteboard and flashcards. You will teach in a traditional classroom setting, remaining within the school’s established curriculum and schedule. However, you are encouraged to be creative when planning lessons. Expect to work alongside local teachers and other volunteers, taking turns in giving instruction during the session. A love for children and patience are essential for this project. Besides passing your English knowledge test, you need to be able to share basic sanitation and hygienic practices as well as your own experiences and cultural background.

IVHQ’s local organization cooperates with a network organization including 30+ local NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and other Cambodian towns, focusing on community & rural development, democracy development & gender issues. The organizations support the poorest of the poor & those who have become landless, offering capacity building opportunities & organizing advocacy for the reconstruction of the country. Local NGOs usually have very limited (if any) financial resources, & often struggle to run their programs & to raise funds from international donors. Many staff members are volunteers receiving no (or a very small) salary. All NGOs urgently need support in areas such as fundraising & proposal writing, organizational development, administration & research. For volunteers studying at a university it would be more of an internship experience as some professional development workers support some of our placements. Placements are offered in the following fields: Community development, Health/ HIV/Aids awareness, prevention & rehabilitation, Women & Child issues, Advocacy & Human Rights Issues, Environmental Issues, and Education.

International Medical Aid's (IMA) Physiotherapy Internships were created for aspiring and established physical therapists. Designed by IMA, a not-for-profit organization founded at Johns Hopkins University, this program bridges the gap between academic study and practical, hands-on experience in some of the most underserved regions of East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Whether you're an undergraduate, a graduate student, or a practicing clinician, our internships offer a platform to hone your skills and make a tangible difference in the health and well-being of communities in need. Our commitment extends beyond healthcare delivery; we immerse you in the local culture and breathtaking landscapes through adventure-filled programs, guided by experts who ensure a safe and enriching experience. Join us in shaping a healthier future for underserved populations while advancing your career through invaluable clinical exposure and graduate school admissions support. Embark on an IMA physiotherapy internship and embrace the opportunity to grow professionally and personally, contributing meaningfully to global health initiatives.

The Bunong Community Project is located in the remote mountain town of Sen Monorom in Mondulkiri province, which is in the Eastern highland region of Cambodia that borders Vietnam. Mondulkiri province is traditionally one of the most inaccessible, least populated, and isolated regions of Cambodia. Owing to its seclusion, semi-nomadic people known as the Bunong remain the dominant ethnic group of the region. In recent years, the Bunong people have found their way of life increasingly under threat as Mondulkiri becomes more easily accessible to the outside world. The project focuses on supporting the Bunong people by assisting local staff to study, record, and document their unique culture, traditions, and language before they change forever. Volunteers will be based in an office with local staff cataloging information they have collected. There may be field visits to local villages to collect information on all aspects of Bunong culture and to assist staff and aid the volunteers' understanding and learning. This may be in the form of interviews, but also through recording songs and videoing traditional aspects of the culture.

World Endeavors offers exciting programs that allow participants to experience Cambodia while contributing to the community in a meaningful way. Volunteers can choose from a variety of immersive, unique, and rewarding community engagement projects, including Temple Conservation, Mangrove Conservation, or teaching children from impoverished backgrounds at a remote school. Once known as the Khmer Empire, Cambodia is perhaps best known for its monumental temples, especially Angkor Wat. It is a country of incredible beauty, scattered with these temples, fertile rice fields, and a rich and interesting history. Following its independence from France, Cambodia experienced years of civil war, turmoil, and political corruption, as well as suffering from its involvement in the Vietnam War. Despite this dark history, Cambodia is an extraordinary country and has prevailed due to what has been described as the unbreakable spirit of the Cambodian people.

Interested in helping others while simultaneously experiencing a country full of ancient history? Then Cambodia is the right choice for you! Bordering to the most touristic Southeast Asian country, namely Thailand, Cambodia can offer you equally amazing experiences. With its fascinating beaches, historic temples, delicious cuisine and caring people, you can experience Southeast Asia's charm while avoiding the hecticness of mass tourism. Besides all the beautiful aspects worthy of visiting, there is also a strong demand for people to address issues that Cambodia is facing today. And that is exactly where you step in! Whether you want to assist in the medical field, protect the environment or help to educate local communities, there are plenty of opportunities for you to help as a volunteer.

Be part of a pioneer humanitarian project in the villages of northwest Cambodia. Working in partnership with the Shinta Mani Foundation, we will set up a mobile dental clinic and provide first-time dental care to needy children in a village outside Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia. Outside the clinic, volunteers have the chance to get to know the local village people and take in rural life in the countryside. Volunteers work in the clinic for 6 days. After the clinic, the journey continues with sightseeing of Angkor Wat and the surrounding area.

Dedicate your time helping care for elephants in a forest reserve in the eastern part of Cambodia. As a volunteer in this project, you will work with elephants that have stopped working in the country’s trekking and tourism industry. They are currently roaming the forests freely and without disturbance. Throughout the program, you will learn about resident elephants in the forest by observing them from a distance. This will be done in combination with other volunteer activities, including taking part in reforestation work, planting seeds and looking after the nursery, and supporting farming or construction work. Take note that there will be no riding, feeding or swimming with elephants. This is a great project if you want to ensure participation and you want to support an ethical elephant sanctuary in Asia.