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VOLUNTEERING
Please come and volunteer with ABOUTAsia Schools if you are on holiday in South East Asia.
You do not need to be an experienced teacher or have knowledge of Asian languages. For the students and children of Cambodia,
a working knowledge of English is their ticket to a good job and essential for a better future.
Your involvement and experience is what they need to succeed.
Volunteer with ABOUTAsia Schools and you will have a very rewarding and even life changing experience.
TEACHER VOLUNTEERS
The primary goal of the ABOUTAsia Schools volunteer program is to place native English-speaking volunteer
teachers in the classrooms of our schools in Siem Reap. We encourage our teacher volunteers to stay for
at least one month This gives time to build relationships between volunteers, school staff, and, most important
the children. Student's benefit hugely from the cohesion, and relationships, that long-term volunteers can bring.
For volunteers who may not be able to stay a full month, we will try and offer shorter teaching assignments if
available or other volunteer opportunities.
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Apart from teaching are numerous other opportunities to suit volunteers who only have as little as a week.
These include:
- General Classroom Assistants
- Maintenance and Improvement of Facilities:
- Painting
- Decorating
- Maintenance
Presently, some of our main projects include:
1. Prey Chrouk School - Volunteers needed to teach English in this rural school 45km from Siem
Reap town. October until July. Rural accommodation available.
2. Phom Svay School - Volunteer needed to teach English to one class, mornings only. October
until July.
3. Kras Song Roleong School - Volunteers needed to teach English to several classes, mornings
and/or afternoons. October until July.
4. Smiling Hearts Association for Children (SHAC) - Volunteers needed to assist with English,
and art within school and the community. All year round.
5. Sasasdom - Volunteers needed to teach English in this rural school 35 km from Siem Reap town.
October until July. Rural accommodation available.
6. Krobey Riel - Volunteers needed to teach English in this rural school 15 km from Siem
Reap town. October until July.
7. Build Your Future Today Centre (BFT) - Volunteers needed to assist with English and arts within
school and the community. All year round.
8. Kok Chork (Pagoda School) - Volunteers needed to teach English afternoons only. All year
round.
9. Wat Chork Secondary School - Volunteers needed to teach English in this urban Siem Reap
school. October until July.
After summer holiday, our schools commence October 01, 2011 and volunteers are needed for all
our schools above.
(See our schools for more information)
Generally the school year is from October until the end of June with a 3 week holiday for Khmer New Year in April,
and school hours are typically:
Morning session: 0700 -1100
Lunch break: 1100 - 1300
Afternoon session: 1300 - 1700
Recess - 1 per session
Students are taught 10 subjects as per the Ministry of Education curriculum. Class size averages 45 students.
Volunteers do not have to work a full day, or full week, if they do not wish. Volunteers choose their hours and arrange
this with the school in which they are volunteering.
We do not charge to volunteer. However we do require that accommodation, food and transport costs must be covered by the
volunteer. For two of our schools, ABOUTAsia Schools has arranged with locals for rural accommodation in convenient
locations within short walking distance of the schools - the cost of this is very small and is paid directly to the
provider. For other schools you would stay in Siem Reap town and commute at the beginning and end of each day. Details of
accommodation and transport costs are set out in our accommodation pages, and in more detail in our volunteer handbook (large file!).
Our Commitment: When you volunteer for ABOUTAsia Schools, we will ensure the following:
- We will meet you from the airport if needed, or another location in Siem Reap, and provide
transport to your accommodation. We can have a chat and briefing about your program, Siem Reap town and Cambodia, and all other relevant information, or make arrangements to do so another time if you are not due to start your program immediately.
- On your first day we will arrange and pay for transport to your chosen school (and
accommodation), and introduce you to the school's teachers and staff (and accommodation owners).
- We do not provide medical assistance or cover. We are contactable 24 hours in the case of
emergencies however, and will of course provide assistance and advice with regard to illness,
doctors and medical facilities, emergency transport, or any other related issues, and assist in
any way we can. However, as stated in our terms and conditions, we are not liable for any health
issues on the part of the volunteer, and many emergency medical costs must be covered by the
volunteer - see below. Please be aware that the Royal Angkor International Hospital in Siem Reap
is an international standard hospital.
- ABOUTAsia Schools' staff is trained to deal with any social issues that could present
themselves, and we are always on hand to offer assistance and advice on any issues. ABOUTAsia
Schools has never had any instances of discrepancies with staff, children, or people from the
villages where we place our volunteers.
- We provide basic facilities for volunteers in our accommodation - see our accommodation page
for more information.
- Once a week, usually at the weekends, we will arrange a time in Siem Reap town to meet with
volunteers, share lunch, and catch up on the week's events. The lead contact teacher at each school will have a 'topped-up' mobile phone, for use should you need to contact any member of the ABOUTAsia Schools staff during the week.
Your commitment:
- Volunteers are strongly urged to obtain HEALTH INSURANCE and LIABILITY INSURANCE to cover their intended stay with ABOUTAsia Schools, and you must have read the ABOUTAsia Schools liability waiver and terms and conditions to volunteer with us. (As well as filling in an application form, a recent photo must also be sent)
- All flights, transport and Visas (can be easily obtained on arrival) must be organized by the volunteer.
- On arrival, you must provide a photocopy of your passport and Visa (as proof of right to entry, and also to cover any emergencies) if you are staying in the rural accommodation.
- We ask that volunteers maintain regular contact via email or phone prior to their arrival in Cambodia and start of their program. This is especially important during the stages where we are finalizing programs, thereafter an email one month and then one week before to confirm your ongoing commitment is great. We must be kept aware of changes to plans, especially cancellations, as soon as they are known, as we need to coordinate with the schools concerned and arrange alternatives. We understand of course that for those who are volunteering as part of wider worldwide travel this is not always easy, but please do your best.
We are absolutely certain that volunteering in Cambodia will be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences you will
have. Cambodia is a developing country however, and so procedures, etiquette, culture, customs, ideas and teaching methods
might sometimes seem strange or unusual, even frustrating, compared to what you are accustomed to. Once here, we simply ask
that volunteers maintain cultural sensitivity, patience and open mindedness with regard to these and any other issues
(more details will be provided in your handbook), and there should be no problems.
Above all we ask that volunteers enjoy themselves, work hard, and reap the rewards that will be gained from having given a
great deal of help to the children of Cambodia. And for this, we couldn't be more appreciative.
All of our staff live here in Cambodia, and we are a mix of locals and westerners from the UK and the US. Whether it's
driving around at rush hour by tuk tuk or motorbike, eating from local street stalls, or working with local communities
well off the beaten track, neither our volunteers nor ourselves have ever had any instances of severe ill health, harassment,
or anything else which has threatened our well being or enjoyment. Cambodia is an extremely safe and welcoming country,
nevertheless as with anywhere in the world you must use your common sense at all times, and be aware of where dangers and
risks could present themselves. ABOUTAsia Schools will provide onsite help and support as much as we can with all issues
on the ground should they ever arise. You are reminded that ABOUTAsia Schools strongly recommends purchasing health and
liability insurance in the first instance, and is legally exempt from any responsibility with regard to the issues mentioned
in our terms and conditions and liability and general release waiver, which ALL volunteers must read and agree to prior to
starting any volunteer program with us.
For the benefit of our volunteers, before reading our terms and conditions, we've highlighted the areas where risks might present
themselves during your volunteer program. Please read this section carefully before proceeding here.
Transport: Transport to and from all locations pertaining to volunteer programs will be by private transport arranged by
the volunteer. Transport methods will range from motorbikes and tuk tuks (motorbike taxis) to cars and buses. Driving
customs, vehicle quality, maintenance and safety are all subject to methods employed by individual vehicle owners or
drivers in Cambodia.
Food and drink: Volunteers are required to provide their own food and drink throughout the duration of their volunteering
program. In some places food preparation methods will vary compared to those which one might expect by Western standards,
and is entirely dependent on each individual outlet.
Accommodation: Rural accommodations are available, but ABOUTAsia Schools asks our volunteers to pay the family directly during their stay.
Levels of accommodation will be to local standards, and will most likely seem more basic compared to
those standards one would associate with the western world.
Schools: The conditions and facilities of schools in Cambodia will differ from those in Western countries. Classrooms may
not be so well equipped or maintained as in more conventional schools.
Illness: Cambodia is a tropical, developing country. If you have the necessary vaccinations for Cambodia (see a specialist -
we cannot guarantee giving the most up-to-date advice, nor are we qualified to do so), are careful where you eat, and
follow sensible hygiene standards that you would as if at home, you should not have any health problems.
Crime: Crime in Cambodia is extremely low, especially crime directed toward foreigners, and especially here in Siem Reap
province. It's impossible to eliminate all risk however, so as with anywhere in the world, take care at all times.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please fill in an application form below.
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