Volunteer Cambodia offers English teaching placements in community projects, giving you the chance to explore the richness of South East Asian culture by living and working in
a country as yet unspoilt by mass tourism.
What can I do?
We’re looking for volunteers who will contribute to projects in communities where help is most needed.
At a one-to-one UK orientation interview we’ll discuss your skills, experience and of course, preferences to ensure that you’re assigned to the right project for you.
Click on the box below to find a project you’re interested in.
Teaching
In Cambodia volunteers are primarily needed to teach English to children and adults. Assisting the teacher or taking your own classes is a rewarding way to immerse yourself in this unique and lively country while gaining personal satisfaction and valuable life skills.
The role of a volunteer teacher is varied and can include assisting a local teacher, taking your own classes, preparing lesson plans and marking work. The projects are based in grass root community projects, schools and colleges, all with the goal to develop education for underprivileged children and adults.
If you have a particular interest or skill, there will also be opportunities to organise extra curricular activities. From arts and crafts, dance and music, to sports days and football matches we encourage volunteers to be as creative and proactive as possible!
We like our teaching volunteers to have had some experience of working with children.
And if you’re interested in developing your teaching skills before you go, why not
sign up to an online
TEFL course through BUNAC?
Special Needs Education
Some projects in Cambodia offer special needs education opportunities enabling you to work with children or adults needing extra emotional and physical care and attention.
Opportunities are available in social welfare, rehabilitation and working with people with physical disabilities. If you have previous experience in this field these projects would welcome your help.
How long can I go for?
Our Volunteer Cambodia placements range from 8 to 16 weeks including a 3 day arrival orientation.
You’ll have the chance to travel at weekends but to make the most of this fascinating country why not leave some time at the end of your programme to explore further afield?
Where will I be working?
The projects are based in communities in and around Siem Reap.
Who will I be working with?
We place volunteers in existing projects, working alongside local people.
BUNAC Volunteer programmes are essentially designed to provide independent experiences which promote integration with the local people. You may also be working alongside other international volunteers.
Where will I be living?
Volunteers live together in a designated volunteer house in Siem Reap allowing you to immerse yourself into the local community.
Accommodation includes breakfast and is based on twin or triple share rooms with a shared bathroom and a fan. The volunteer house also offers a communal area in a garden setting, cooking facilities and a library/resource centre with teaching materials and information about Cambodia.
You’ll be allocated the use of a bicycle during your stay in order to travel to and from your project and around Siem Reap.
How much does it cost?
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8 weeks
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£899
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12 weeks
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£1049
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16 weeks
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£1199
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What’s included?
Click the plus sign to reveal more information.
- BUNAC membership
- Lonely Planet guidebook
- BUNAC Volunteer Cambodia Handbook
- BUNAC t-shirt
- Comprehensive one-to-one orientation interview
- Personal support and travel advice from knowledgeable staff
- Group or individual flight booking service
- Pre & post trip health screening.
- Full visa processing service.
- Placement based on your skills and needs
- 24/7 support from BUNAC and our local partner organisation for the duration of
your stay
- US$100 project donation
- Ongoing remote healthcare advice from Interhealth
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- Airport pick up and transfer to your accommodation
- Day trip to the Angkor temples
- Boat trip to Tonle Sap Lake
- Walking tour of Siem Reap
- Khmer language class
- Education sessions about culture and customs, safety and accommodation and your placement
- See FAQs section
for further information.
- Accommodation in a volunteer house for the duration of the programme
- Breakfast
What else should I budget for?
We feel it’s important to be as upfront as possible about any additional costs so
that you can manage your budget and have a hassle free trip.
Fundraising
Raising extra funds for your trip needn’t be difficult as there
are loads of things you can do to raise money.
For some ideas to get you started read our fundraising section.
Your arrival orientation, placement and local support services are provided by INTERWEAVE (International Work Exchange and Volunteer Experiences) - BUNAC's partner in Cambodia.
How do I apply?
Am I eligible?
We’re looking for volunteers who are self motivated, adventurous, flexible and good
communicators. To apply to Volunteer Cambodia you must
be:
- A British or Irish passport holder, resident in the UK or Ireland
- Aged 18 and above
Experience of working with children or a TEFL qualification is preferred. Why not take an online TEFL with BUNAC?
When should I apply?
The latest date we can consider your application is 10 weeks
before your UK departure date.
However, places are available on a first come first served basis so we recommend
that you apply as soon as you can.
What comes next?
Once you’ve applied for Volunteer Cambodia we’ll help you
prepare for your trip by guiding you through the following stages:
You will be invited to attend a one-to-one Orientation Interview where we’ll discuss
all aspects of the programme to ensure that you are fully prepared for your trip.
Following a satisfactory interview, BUNAC will formally accept you onto the programme.
Many of our projects involve working with children so as part of our ‘Responsible
Approach’, each participant must provide us with a police check before departure.
All participants must complete the on-line health screening to confirm their fitness to travel and to receive detailed and personalised health recommendations for their trip. On completion of the programme you will also be invited to complete a post-trip "clean bill of health" screening.
See FAQs for more information.
BUNAC can arrange your flights for you or you can arrange independent travel.
We will send you full details regarding the levels of cover we provide.
To ensure that your trip preparation is as easy as possible BUNAC will apply for a visa on your behalf.
BUNAC will liaise with our local partner to arrange your placement and you will be given details of your project and accommodation a few weeks before you leave.
Full terms and conditions for the programme are included with the application form.
When can I go?
The upcoming arrival dates are listed below.
Most flights from the UK travel overnight so it’s likely you’ll need to start your trip the day before the listed arrival date.
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September 16th 2009
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July 18th 2009
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October 21st 2009
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August 8th 2009
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November 18th 2009
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September 5th 2009
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January 20th 2010
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November 11th 2009
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February 17th 2010
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December 9th 2009
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March 17th 2010
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January 6th 2010
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May 19th 2010
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March 10th 2010
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June 16th 2010
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April 7th 2010
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July 21st 2010
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May 12th 2010
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August 18th 2010
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June 9th 2010
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September 15th 2010
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July 7th 2010
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October 20th 2010
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August 11th 2010
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November 17th 2010
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September 8th 2010
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Flights
BUNAC can arrange your flight to suit your needs. We aim to put volunteers on the same flight so you travel as a group.
Our flight tickets are flexible returns, which will allow you to change your return date whilst away (subject to airline availability and an administration fee).
Alternatively, if you’d like to arrange independent travel then you’re more than
welcome to as long as you arrive in Siem Reap for the start of the orientation. Our
in-house travel agents
GS World Travel can give you a quote on 020 7250 0222 or by emailing info@gsworld-travel.com.
Can I travel after my volunteer project?
Definitely! We encourage volunteers to take time out either
before or at the end of their placement to explore more of the country.
During your placement you will generally have weekends free to travel. Cambodia is a beautiful and fascinating country and our local partners will be able to give you advice on where to go and what to see.
Cambodia borders Thailand, Vietnam and Laos so it has massive potential for those wanting to combine a volunteering placement with backpacking in South East Asia.
Application
Reveal the answers to the FAQs below by clicking on the plus
sign.
At BUNAC Volunteer we believe that each volunteer should be treated as an individual. All participants will attend a one-to-one orientation interview in our London office. It’s not a formal interview, but a chance for us to get to know more about you and your reasons for volunteering.
We’ll discuss the types of projects you’re interested in and issues such as health and security to help prepare you for your time in Cambodia. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you might have. If you’d like to apply but can’t travel to London for an interview, please call us on 020 7251 3386 to discuss your situation.
If BUNAC rejects your application at any stage you’ll receive a full refund of your programme deposit. We have a 7 day cooling off period, so if you feel that you’re not suited to the programme and you contact us within 7 days of attending the Orientation Interview you can cancel and receive a full refund (less £35 administration fee).
More information regarding cancellation refunds is included within the Terms and Conditions which are printed with the application form.
As part of our 'Responsible Approach', each participant must provide a police check or Subject Access. This is a summary of data which is held about you on the National Police Computer (NPC). It will cost approximately £10 and takes between 30 and 40 days to be issued. You can usually download the application forms from your local police force website (look for links for "Freedom of Information" on their website).
Your local police station should also be able to provide you with relevant forms over the counter. Once your Subject Access has been issued, please send the original to BUNAC. If you already hold a CRB from an existing or recent employer issued within 3 months we can accept this as an alternative to the Subject Access.
BUNAC is pleased to have teamed up with Interhealth, a charity which specialises in providing health advice for overseas workers. Your programme cost includes membership to Interhealth and as part of your application process you will complete an on-line medical screening to ensure that you are suitable for the challenge of volunteering in a developing country.
Following the screening you will receive comprehensive medical advice regarding inoculations specific to your destination along with some general travel health advice. Your programme cost also includes post-trip clean bill of health screening and on-going remote health care advice through Interhealth.
The inoculations you may require will vary depending on your destination and also your personal medical history so it is very difficult to provide a guide to the typical cost. However, please be aware that whilst some injections are relatively cheap others (specifically anti malarials) can be very expensive. Interhealth will provide you with further information following your screening.
Flights Visa & Insurance
If you’d like to arrange independent travel then you’re more than welcome to as long as you arrive in Cambodia for the start of the orientation. Our in-house travel agents, GS World Travel, can give you a quote on 020 7250 0222. In this case, please provide BUNAC with proof of your return trip so that we can arrange your pick up.
We want to make sure your trip preparation is as easy as possible so will apply for an initial 30 day Business visa on your behalf. This visa currently costs £20. Whilst in Cambodia our local partner will help you extend this visa. At present a 3 month extension is approximately £45.
Yes. BUNAC offers a fully comprehensive insurance policy that has been arranged with Endsleigh, one of the UK’s leading insurance companies. Full details will be sent following acceptance on to the programme.
Volunteer Placement
Our partners can receive up to 8 volunteers on each arrival date so places are limited. There will be a mix of BUNAC participants and other international volunteers so it will be an exciting opportunity to meet people from all around the world.
The orientation is a great opportunity for you to be introduced to the country and its culture. It is covered in the programme cost and our local hosts will discuss volunteering, health and safety issues and will also take you on a number of great excursions. The orientation will provide you with useful information, interesting tours and enable you to meet other volunteers on the programme.
We believe that it’s important to consider the needs of the community and the preferences of the volunteer equally. Our partner works closely with all of the projects, monitoring their activities and placing volunteers where they feel they’ll be able to make the most worthwhile contribution.
On the application form we ask you to indicate your preferred areas of project work. We’ll then discuss your choices in detail during the orientation interview, where we can provide more information about what to expect and jointly agree on the most suitable type of placement for you. Your application information is sent to Cambodia so that an appropriate placement can be found and you’ll be sent confirmation and details of your work and accommodation arrangements approximately 4 weeks before your trip.
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Teaching time at the various placements can vary from anywhere between 2-6 hours per day. Generally you can expect to be at your project Monday-Friday but start times vary. There will be opportunities for you to be proactive and look at other areas in the community where you may be able to lend a hand. This could involve setting up after school clubs, sports events and offering one-to-one lessons.
It is possible that you may be working at the same project as another volunteer but we cannot guarantee this as it is based on individual placement preferences and availability. Ultimately BUNAC's volunteer programmes offer a lot of support, but they are intended to be independent experiences where the individual can gain through working amongst the local people. You’ll be living in the volunteer house so you’ll be able to spend time with the other volunteers during your time off.
Volunteer Cambodia is available from 8-16 weeks. We believe that a volunteer would not be able to accomplish much or feel satisfied with their participation on a project if they were there for less than 8 weeks. In fact, feedback from previous volunteers suggests that many people don’t want to leave after 8 weeks and wish they’d committed to longer!
In most cases it will be possible to extend your volunteer programme whilst you are away. Specific arrangements are made through our local partner and are subject to the availability of accommodation and projects.
Definitely! During your placement you will generally have weekends free to travel. Cambodia is a beautiful and fascinating country and our local partners will be able to give you advice on where to go and what to see. We also encourage volunteers to take time out either before or at the end of their placement to explore more of the country. Cambodia borders Thailand, Vietnam and Laos so it has massive potential for those wanting to combine a volunteering placement with backpacking in South East Asia.
It’s difficult to give an exact figure, as it depends on what you choose to do while you’re in Cambodia. We recommend that you anticipate spending £200 per month whilst you are volunteering to cover your daily needs. However, if you intend to travel at weekends or have plans for post programme travels we recommend that you take extra.
If you have any further questions on Volunteer Cambodia,
please call the BUNAC Volunteer team on 020 7251 3386 or e-mail
volunteer@bunac.org.uk.