Volunteering
Growing Cambodia Organization is a registered Cambodian Non-Government Organisation (NGO) that is looking for volunteers to help teach English. There may also be opportunities to become involved in other projects undertaken at the schools and villages.
Volunteers will teach English alongside local Cambodian teachers. No experience is necessary – just a positive attitude and plenty of enthusiasm.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is to encourage as many people as possible to visit Cambodia – every dollar spent in the country benefits the Cambodian economy and its people. If you have the time and inclination we would love you to visit Siem Reap and volunteer at our schools. To ensure both students and volunteers benefit alike there are no fees payable by volunteers. You are however responsible for your own accommodation, food and transport costs. There is no shortage of places to stay in Siem Reap with prices starting from as little as a couple of dollars a night. Meals are also very cheap in comparison to western prices.
Itinerary and Expenses
Our managers will organise transport to and from the schools at a minimal cost to you. The cost depends on the number of volunteers travelling to the schools but we will let you know the exact amount before you arrive. The schools operate from Monday to Friday and we would prefer that you are available to meet with our managers for orientation at your accommodation on the Sunday afternoon before you begin your volunteer experience.
The Siem Reap region has a number of tourist attractions, including the famous temples. As part of your volunteering experience we can arrange for personalised tours including visiting the temples, local villages and markets as well as sampling local foods. These, and other options, can all be discussed once you have decided that you wish to volunteer.
So that everyone enjoys themselves we have a few simple rules:
- Volunteers must commit for at least one week to ensure that disruptions to the students are minimised.
- Volunteers must follow the Volunteer Process and complete a Volunteer Application Form.
- Volunteers must provide a Working with Children, or equivalent certificate, before commencing.
- Volunteers must agree to abide by the Child Protection Code of Conduct listed on this website.
Please note day visits to the schools can be organised for our supporters. Please contact us and we will can then provide you with further information.
Volunteer Process
If after reading our information (and contacting us with any questions you may have) you wish to volunteer please complete and submit our online application form.
We will confirm receipt of your application form and volunteer dates within 48 hours and forward further information. Our local Cambodian managers will meet with you before your placement and we will remain in contact with you throughout your experience.
Volunteer Experiences
Growing Cambodia is helping to change for the better the lives of some Cambodians as well as our own volunteers. Some volunteer experiences are listed below.
Being involved with Growing Cambodia has been one of life’s most unique and rewarding experiences. To see the expressions on the faces of the children when given the simplest of things such as a ball or a pencil is priceless.
Although volunteering is a giving thing I came away from the whole experience with a sense that I had certainly gained more than I had given. I gained a deeper understanding of what is truly important in life “
Julie – Volunteer at Kok Beng January 2014
As a student teacher, the volunteer work I did in Cambodia was invaluable to my development and experience in front of a class. This was the most rewarding experience I have had as a student teacher. Also, the way Sovann allowed us to enter his family, home and community was a beautiful, culturally enriching experience, something you can’t find just being a tourist! We both had an amazing time with Sovann and felt really safe and comfortable because he was our tuk tuk driver. He gave us some extremely personal insights into the Khmer culture and history, including his own connection to the Pol Pot Regime. It was a truly unique experience that I would recommend to anyone!"
Abbie – Volunteer at Kok Beng July 2013
“Volunteering at the schools in Cambodia was undoubtedly one of the most memorable and humbling experiences of my life. The country itself is stunning and full of history, however unfortunately it is also heavily immersed in poverty. Despite being poor in terms of wealth, the Cambodian people are rich in happiness and content with the very little that they have.
Stepping into a Cambodian school I was greeted by dozens of smiling faces who were more excited to learn English than anything else. The children at school can be identified by their clothing as most only have one t-shirt and one pair of shorts… the simple offering of a pen and notebook makes you feel as though you’ve given them the most amazing objects in the world. The enthusiasm in the classroom makes teaching a breeze… only in Cambodia will you witness children cheering when lunchtime comes to an end and class must recommence. The realisation that you are making a difference to each and every child’s life is indescribable.
I would recommend volunteering to anyone and everyone, particularly those who love kids, enjoy a challenge and hope for a holiday that they’ll never forget.”
Jasmine – Volunteer at both schools in December 2012
Marce and Ross …. “ we were able to consolidate words which the older students knew. The younger students needed much more repetition of lessons. There was another group that gave lessons ….. and one day we worked together dividing the class into four groups. I was surprised that the older students learnt to sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” alone after having it sung to them several times with the words on the white board. The younger students were able to sing it with help. We were pleased that the new classroom was well on the way to being built when we left. The children really liked playing games ……. and with the new balls we purchased. It was good that we were able to purchase writing books, pencils and showing books. Sovann (the manager) was always helpful and one day he took us to his home for a traditional lunch. The children were always happy to see us arrive and gave us hugs when we left. Siem Reap was an interesting town and we enjoyed eating at various restaurants, visiting the markets and places of interest……
Marcelle and Ross – Volunteers at Kok Beng school in January 2014
