Description

All Occupational Therapy volunteers in Cambodia must have completed at least one year of related studies or training by the time they join this project.

Volunteers who are fully qualified and can commit to at least two months on the project work at the Veterans International Center.

Volunteers at the National Baby and Children's Center in Phnom Penh work with the over one hundred babies and children at the center that have a variety of physical or mental disabilities.

The Center is home to orphans and abandoned children from the city and other provinces. The children at the center are very vulnerable and require constant care. It is important for volunteers to have a positive attitude and a real willingness to help children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities.

Occupational Therapy volunteers can get involved in a wide range of work including developing and running a new sensory program, training the caregivers and teachers at the center, and developing assessment forms. There may also be the opportunity to present your work to other NGOs and join meetings of the Disability Action Council.

Fully qualified Occupational Therapy volunteers at the Veterans International Center work alongside the local staff to assist the patients in becoming independent in their daily lives. The center has a traditional Cambodian house on the premises so the residents can get used to some of the potential challenges they may face when they return home. Depending on your level of knowledge and experience you may be given your own patients to work with after your first few weeks.

Highlights

The work at the center is geared toward providing disabled adults and children with the mobility to participate in community activities. The workshop at the center is run by mostly disabled staff who make the wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs used by many of the patients. There are also teams of technical staff and physical and occupational therapists who treat the patients once they have had artificial limbs fitted for sampling.

Most new patients who come to the center for an artificial limb will stay at the center for at least two weeks so they can receive treatment from the physical and occupational therapists to make sure they are able to return to school or work as normal.

Qualifications

Must be 16 years of age or older.

Intern Types

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Occupational, Envir. Health
• Physical Therapy

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

16 and up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992