Volunteer with Local NGOs in Cambodia

This is my second time volunteering via IVHQ. The first time was teaching English in Thailand and just now it was teaching English in Cambodia. The application process is very straightforward. IVHQ provides a good level of information to set you up. The volunteering was satisfying and I hope my little time helps makes an accumulative difference. The Cambodian people are so friendly and the country is great to visit.

I initially chose to volunteer with IVHQ because they are a certified B Corporation, which resonated deeply with me, especially since I work for a B Corp myself. Being part of a B Corp, I understand first-hand the commitment required to meet the high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corporations prioritize people and the planet alongside profit, and I knew that IVHQ would not only have a meaningful impact on the communities they serve but also operate with the highest level of integrity and responsibility. From August to September 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to spend five weeks volunteering with a local NGO in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It was an unforgettable experience. My primary role was assisting the organization in developing a proposal for the ‘KIX-call for proposals.’ The work was both challenging and immensely rewarding, providing me with invaluable insight into proposal writing and the NGO's mission. Throughout those five weeks, I gained much more than technical skills. I learned about Cambodian culture, the daily challenges faced by the NGO, and the resilience and strength of the communities they support. The project was highly collaborative, and I truly appreciated how my input was welcomed and valued at every stage of the process. Seeing our collective efforts come together, knowing that it could potentially secure much-needed funding for future initiatives, was incredibly fulfilling. Beyond the professional experience, Phnom Penh is a vibrant city full of life. The warmth and friendliness of the people, the incredible food, and the rich cultural heritage made every moment outside of work just as memorable. I highly recommend this volunteering opportunity to anyone looking to make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience. It was an eye-opening journey that left me with a deep appreciation for the critical work being done in Cambodia, as well as lifelong memories and friendships.

The training and the meeting pre-departure were really helpful and gave me great confidence to hop on the trip without worry. Everything was clear and very informative! After staying 7 weeks at the school, I had strong ties with the students and the teachers. Everyone was crying when I left and I wished I could have stayed longer, but sadly, I also have my life to continue... I believe I made a great impact and helped the students a lot! They were all very happy with my teaching approach, the activities I organized and the support I provided. As a 19 years old volunteer, I taught 16-18 years old students. Beyond teaching them English, I also had the opportunity to teach them more life skills such as public speaking, confidence, effective study habits and more. As a university student studying International Development and Philosophy, I gained profound insights. From studying the inequalities in the Western world and in the world of development, I came to appreciate learning directly at the source. It was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. The people I met were so kind, caring, and friendly to me that I still can't believe it. I learned to listen more, to be more tolerant, and to approach situations without judgment, with a fresh perspective. If I had advice to give to future volunteers, it would be to stay, at minimum, more than a month in one place to get to know people in depth and form strong bonds. They should go with an open mind, without judgment, and without trying to find what they are used to at home. They should challenge their norms and conventions, come with a clear slate to write a new story, immerse themselves fully, and learn from others because we have much more to learn than to teach.

I gained gratitude for my own life, as well as feelings of amazement for this country’s resilience, respect for their culture, self confidence, excitement for the potential far reaching impact my work will have in changing lives, self pride around my independence, adaptability, resilience and resourcefulness.

Great communication and guidance throughout the entire process. Raksmey and his team was phenomenal. He was present and informative in every capacity imaginable. When not physically present, he would stay in constant contact and provide consistent updates concerning matters related to the program or guesthouse. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate the local team a 100. The food was great throughout my time in Cambodia. The cook at the Phnom Penh guesthouse was phenomenal. Very kind and understanding. I have never had as much fun as I experienced during the 4 months I spent in Cambodia.

The staff and team there were amazing and always so welcoming and kind. The food was amazing and always something different. The cook was also very friendly and accommodating. The experience I gained from taking part in this volunteering has been invaluable to me. It has shown me that where I want to work is within the charity sector in order to make a real impact to peoples lives. It has also shown me that I want to live for part of my life in Asia as I have always loved the culture but living in Cambodia for almost 2 months showed me I could really live long-term there. By the end of my time there I could measurably see the difference I had made for the local NGO and the gratefulness of my colleagues for the help I was able to provide gave me real motivation to continue to do work like this in the future. It's a daunting process to start off with, but also one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had and I have no regrets about deciding to do this experience and would highly recommend to anyone.

The experience I gained from taking part in this volunteering has been invaluable to me. It has shown me that where I want to work is within the charity sector in order to make a real impact to peoples lives. It has also shown me that I want to live for part of my life in Asia as I have always loved the culture but living in Cambodia for almost 2 months showed me I could really live long-term there. By the end of my time there I could measurably see the difference I had made for the local NGO and the gratefulness of my colleagues for the help I was able to provide gave me real motivation to continue to do work like this in the future. The staff and team there were amazing and always so welcoming and kind. The food was amazing and always something different. The cook was also very friendly and accommodating. It's a daunting process to start off with, but also one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had and I have no regrets about deciding to do this experience and would highly recommend to anyone.

My experience with IVHQ was simply great! As this was my first time volunteering I took some time to research upfront, and I didn´t regret my choice. I would volunteer with IVHQ again without a doubt. Communication and guidance upfront was helpful and clear; there is a great in-country support from landing until departure; and the placements are overall meaningful. I´ve chosen to work with an NGO in Cambodia, and was lucky enough to be placed in Siem Reap. Apart from a vibrant city, I found a very well-kept volunteer house, a very supportive in-house team, a great group of volunteers, and was close enough to the city centre to go walking or cycling to the placement. What was helpful to me: Preparing by reading IVHQ advise/training upfront, having adjusted expectations (its volunteer work in an undeveloped country), bringing an open mind and be willing to adapt. This was by far one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of all my travelling to date! I definitely recommend it.

I spent 5 weeks working with an NGO in Cambodia and it was, hands down, the best experience of my life!! From the moment I first applied, IVHQ made sure to provide me with all the information I would need to prepare for my trip, were very quick in responding to my inquiries, and just provided me with continuous support all the time. It was no different once I arrived in Cambodia! The local staff there were very organized, friendly, supportive, helpful, and made sure that they tried their best in making us feel right at home and they sure did succeed! I even had to get my knee stitched at some point and they came with me all the way to the hospital and helped me with all the necessary procedures. While working with the NGO, I truly felt that I was needed there and that they appreciated everything I was doing. This eye-opening experience triggered so many things in me and made me even more keen on working in the development sector later on! The accommodation provided at the volunteer house was excellent. The general atmosphere was amazing, the people I met there were all amazing! I had a blast and I wouldn't have minded staying longer. Actually, I wish I had stayed longer!! I learnt so much during my volunteering experience and I could confidently say that this trip really did change me! Don't hesitate and go for it! Cambodia is an amazing country and I definitely will be traveling with IVHQ again in the future!