Affordable Childcare Volunteering in Cambodia

Cambodia is definitely a hidden gem. The amount of history and culture that the Khmer people share with foreigners is amazing. My work at the daycare was one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had. The amount of joy and love the kids gave me is a gift that I am profoundly thankful for. The city of Phnom Penh is busy and loud but very safe. Nights spent with other volunteers exploring and enjoying the nightlife has created friendships that will last long beyond our volunteer periods.

I feel like I gained a huge insight into the children in Cambodia, how they struggle and their living conditions - it's very sad but they still all have a huge smile on their faces. I would give the advice that it's an amazing experience and you will meet amazing people too. Working with the children everyday is something that I will treasure for ever.

The program guide was super useful. The local team was amazing, and so helpful. I felt so welcomed and they really helped me settle in. My experience at my placement was AMAZING. That place genuinely had the children as their main priority and everyone is clearly passionate about helping the local children. Every aspect was covered such as food, entertainment, education, basic hygiene, etc. I enjoyed my experience so much that I gathered donations from relatives to donate to the organization because I felt that every contribution was actually making an impact. The child care project is definitely the best way to directly make an impact. You can make a connection with the children and the locals there. You can gain insight of good places to visit too from locals you encounter at your placement.

It was great being greeted by the kids every morning with “Hello teacher!” and lots of hugs. This volunteer experience provided me the opportunity to interact and learn about a new culture and community, while it also took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to learn a new way of doing things. It’s amazing experience, you meet so many people who you become so close with! In the end the hardest thing is saying goodbye.

Top class guidance and preparation resources - very thorough. I had an enlightening cultural conversation with the local team at my orientation which made me realise how we are all the same- regardless of where you live in the world. The local team was super diligent and authentic- we had some great conversations on our road trip from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. I would like to say how much I enjoy teaching! The enthusiasm of the kids also. Given their background they were happy, loving, fun and attentive. My life was heading in a certain direction and this trip solidified what my dreams are. And how I would like to contribute in the future. I grew as a person and by asking more questions this time around I got a better experience and made more of a valid contribution. In the words of Nike - Just Do It! Experience a new culture, food, make friends, opportunities to travel and make a difference on the lives of those less fortunate, what's not to like!

During July of 2019 I was in Cambodia volunteering with disadvantaged children for 2 weeks. It is almost impossible to find words to describe this experience. I had the pleasure of meeting a group of 20 children that marked my life forever. These children don’t have anything but it looks like they have everything because they always carry the biggest smile. It is impossible to be sad around them and it really makes you appreciate what you have. We did not speak the same language but it was not a barrier. I think I can say we spoke the language of love. I could not be happier to have chosen IVHQ for this experience. The support they gave us was amazing before and during the trip. And they gave me the opportunity to meet other volunteer that now are my friends and that I will keep forever in my heart. I could not be more grateful for this experience! If you have the opportunity please do it!!!

During July of 2019 I was in Cambodia volunteering with disadvantaged children for 2 weeks. It is almost impossible to find words to describe this experience. I had the pleasure of meeting a group of 20 children that marked my life forever. These children don’t have anything but it looks like they have everything because they always carry the biggest smile. It is impossible to be sad around them and it really makes you appreciate what you have. We did not speak the same language but it was not a barrier. I think I can say we spoke the language of love. I could not be happier to have chosen IVHQ for this experience. The support they gave us was amazing before and during the trip. And they gave me the opportunity to meet other volunteer that now are my friends and that I will keep forever in my heart. I could not be more grateful for this experience! If you have the opportunity please do it!!!

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My whole experience with IVHQ in Cambodia was an amazing experience I would never forget! I got to meet with amazing volunteers from all around the globe, get along with very funny and helpful staff members. The staff members there were always willing to help us plan a trip with the bet option, recommend us places to visit, how to communicate effectively with locals, etc! I am so glad they were here to help and also to listen when I was worried or scared about something! Also, the children at my placement were full of joy and were all excited to play with new volunteers and to show them all the amazing and creative games they created. They also are always so curious about your language and how to play new games! Don<t be shy to let your creativity and imagination drive you along with them! They love it. The locals are what made my experience totally worth it. The culture in Cambodia is amazing all the locals are sooo open to help those in needs, even when they are the ones who need help the most. They will always try to put you first and that<s what made me fall in love with their beautiful mindset of life! Recommend it 100%! Hope you enjoy! Joelle xxx

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I volunteered with IVHQ on the childcare program in Cambodia. I had the most amazing experience. The program was great and it allowed you to properly experience Cambodian culture. I met so many amazing people and made some really good friends. I learnt so much from the children and miss them already. I would recommend to anyone.

Volunteering with IVHQ in Cambodia and Zambia were the two best experiences of my life. As a solo traveling female I always take my safety extremely serious, and is the main reason I continue to volunteer with IVHQ. They always alleviate any nerves I have about the area I will be in, the airport pickup, as well as safe living accommodation with 24 hour security. I have done two programs with them and the communication between coordinators and myself is always outstanding. I am paired with a specific coordinator depending on my location, and they specialize in the knowledge to answer any crazy specific questions you might have before leaving, or even when you’re there. I never feel alone even though it’s what I’m actually doing. Volunteering in Cambodia, I worked with the special needs program. I could really see my benefit to being there, as they were low on staff with lots of work to be done. In Zambia, I was placed at a primary school, where I taught English and Math. I felt as though my efforts were very valued by my placements and I can’t wait to go back to both. Being a volunteer vs a tourist is so enlightening and really makes you dive right into the culture, while building actual relationships with the community instead of just sight seeing. I feel as though IVHQ is the best agency due to how much effort they put into the local placements they choose to work with and the local staff they employ. Everyone is great and I will continue to use IVHQ as an agency for more countries I choose to visit, as well as for when I return back to my previous placements.

Im not a native english speaker, so at first I was concerned about volunteering abroad and not being able to understand to the people that worked/lived with me, or the kids. But every concern went away the moment I arrived at the volunteer house. They were really nice people, patient with my english. At my placement they were so nice, and the kids didn't need much english, all they ask for is love. Working with them (I've never worked with little kids before) was one of the most heart warming, amazing, and sobering experiences in my life so far. Life there was incredible too; Sieam Reap is such a nice place, and my daily routine was so peacefull and different from home. The people is nice (they are used to tourist over there so they tend to speak really good english, but you will get to see parts of the city that are not used to tourists and they are so nice and try to help and communicate with you using signs and others), and easy going. I fell in love with Cambodia really fast, and my program worked so good that made it easier to just enjoy and try to help!

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I’ve recently returned from a two week volunteer trip in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and I am in awe of my experience. My accomodation consisted of living with ten other volunteers from across the globe in a shared house. The diversity of the shared house was an experience of its own as you learn from and grow with your fellow volunteers. The staff at the shared house were outstanding as they provide you with routine (which is flexible), information, guidance and not to mention friendship. I felt secure, loved, accepted and appreciated at the shared house. For my volunteer work I was placed at a child care center which was a 15 minute motorbike ride from my accomodation. The children who attend the child care are aged between 2-7 years old and come from families who live and work in the dump yards. The families who work in the dump yards search through the garbage in hope to find recyclable materials in order to sell for a small amount of income. The child care staff pick up the children each morning from their homes in a van and take them to the center where they’d showered, fed, educated and entertained. Not only does the child care provide the children with a safe refuge, they’re given unconditional love, compassion and patience. When first I entered the child care I was overwhelmed with the amount of love and peace in the atmosphere. I was greeted by a young boy with an unless amount of cuddles and affection which was followed by more children. The children were cheeky, funny and an absolute blessings to spend time with and to form individual relationships with. They were so appreciative of the smallest gifts including hair gel, hair ties and toys. I was emotionally challenged from witnessing were the children live and the little to nothing they had. However, each of the children have a endless amount of joy in their hearts which overfollows. I am so proud of each of them. My entire experience in Cambodia filled my heart with so much joy and love. If you’re considering volunteering in Cambodia, JUST DO IT. You’ve more to offer the country then you’d believe and the country has a lot to offer you in return.

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My experience volunteering with children in Cambodia was truly one of the most heartwarming, eye opening and memorable experiences of my life. Going into it, I really did not have any expectations of how the situation would be. The organisation made it so easy to feel immediately at ease, assured and comfortable. The organisation that I worked for, LRDE, was an incredible organisation that worked tirelessly in improving the childhood of hundreds of severely disadvantaged kids. Being with the children each day and putting a smile on their faces was ever so rewarding and also a lot of fun. My month spent in Cambodia was not without some tricky hurdles, but, IVHQ were there with full support as well as the amazing support from the life long friends made there. Thank you IVHQ and wonderful Cambodia for one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was a wild ride, and one I will never forget.

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I have recently finished a 3 week program with IVHQ in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This experience was more than I could have ever imagined. For starters, the organization and local staff were extremely helpful and welcoming. They provided us with a clean and safe living environment in the volunteer house. Living with 13 other volunteers was a beautiful way to meet like-minded people from around the world and build lasting friendships. The childcare facility that we were working with was a lovely short bike ride from our home. Each morning we were greeted by the excited, smiling children when we arrived. there was no better feeling that that. The children were always to excited to see us, and being with them, and being able to teach them a few things, was an amazing feeling. The nuns that we were working alongside inspired me to be a better person and to want to lead a more humble life. They were amazing with the children and so thankful that we were there. If you have the opportunity to take a few weeks out of your life and donate them to others, I would strongly suggest it. The experience will be so meaningful to you, and those that you help.

I volunteered in Siem Reap, Cambodia for 3 weeks teaching english. The accommodation was excellent, the food was good and the staff was so friendly. They really tried to make your stay as good as possible and if you had the slightest issue they tried to help you. The kids outside the volunteer house were really cute. We played soccer with them every once in a while. Even though they didn't speak english, we had fun together and they were just the cutest. We even had our private tuktuk-drivers and they picked you up from anywhere within 10 minutes! My placement was really good too. Teaching wasn't always easy, but a good challenge and every day it got better. The kids were lovely and it was really sad to leave them. The staff and teachers were really kind to the other volunteers and me and on our last day they took us to the local market and showed us around where they lived, that was really interesting! On the weekends we did day trips to different sights around Siem Reap with the other volunteers. We all got along really well and had lots of fun. On weekdays we sometimes went out to town and had a drink or just a stroll around. I didn't know what to expect but I surely wasn't disappointed. It is a once in a lifetime experience and you learn so much out of it. Would do it again anytime!

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I had always wanted to volunteer in Cambodia and had planned to do so after completing my university degree, however one night talking about it with family made me stop and think about why should I wait when I could go now? The next 7 months were a crazy journey preparing for the trip of a lifetime! To say this experience was life changing would be an understatement. I lived with the most beautiful, happy and warm host family who provided us with beautiful accommodation and meals everyday. I was placed at LRDE (Le Restaurant De Enfant) and loved every single minute of it. In 3 weeks I was able to make an impact in my placement and build relationships and develop the children's skills as they were all so eager to learn. I learned so much about their culture, and feel so lucky to have been welcomed in to experience it all. I met so many incredible people along the way and have come back to Australia ready to save and do it all over again!

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Cambodia was a complete shot in the dark for me, and I am so happy to say that it was also the best thing that ever happened to me. From the locals, to the other volunteers, to the IVHQ weekends, to my placement, to the accommodation, everything was unbelievably amazing. I was placed in New Hope for Orphans in Siem Reap and I can't wait to go back again. Everyday at placement was different and I keep so many great memories. Cambodia changed my life in a way that I will always be thankful for and I really help that other people will give Cambodia the same chance I did. If you want to do an affordable IVHQ program and have an unforgettable experience, Cambodia is the place for you! If you've been thinking about doing something like this, the best advise I can give you is: just go for it!

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The overall experience was amazing. I felt like I was really immersed in the culture and I managed to make close friends with some locals there. The accommodation was great but the food was a bit bland. It was a family home so I respect that they have opened up their home to us. Maybe just a variety of food choices and have the ability to help cook our meals would be great.

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