Sunday, August 29, 2010

Volunteering In Cambodia New Hopes After Turmoil

By Seomul Evans

The Kingdom of Cambodia or Cambodia is a small Southeast Asian nation. It is bordered by Vietnam to its east, Laos to its north, and Thailand to its northwest, and the Gulf of Thailand to its southwest. This once mighty Khmer Empire was plundered and looted by all its neighbors, converted into a colony by France and faced political turmoil leading to lack of development for the last 500 years or so. In 1970, Cambodia was plunged into turmoil due to civil war and suffered under the Khmer Rouge's terribly brutal region of terror. However, in 1993, UN sponsored elections in this country, which has helped Cambodia to totter back onto its tiny feet again. A very poor country, Cambodia requires volunteers to help with various programs and projects including health, sanitation, education, restoration, etc.

While much of the Cambodian population still earns less than $1 USD per day, the governmental infrastructure remains questionable. While security situation has improved considerably, now more and more tourists are rediscovering the lost glory of this country. Blessed with wonderful Wats or Temples, long, clean beaches, a trip to Cambodia is still an adventure, but a likeable and enjoyable one. From Siem Reap to Sihanoukville - Cambodia is slowly gearing up for change and volunteering in Cambodia means being able to leave an indelible mark in this transition period.

Why Volunteer In Cambodia
Volunteering in Cambodia is bound to be an adventure as the country has so much to offer. From mystics to mountains, from sea to shopping, experience a different way of life in the nation as you spend your time volunteering to teach conversational English across the major cities including Phnom Penh, the capital. Whether you live independently or as part of a group of international volunteers, you'll work towards raising money for community work, providing better opportunities to the locals to improve their lifestyle, and help them become more self-reliant. After 3 decades of massive civil unrest, Cambodia is finally back on the tourism map for Southeast Asia. Volunteering in Cambodia for travel projects can be a fun as well as thrilling experience. While poverty and scars of a ravaged and disturbed past are unavoidable, the Khmer people are graceful, charming, and warm even in these trying times.

Types Of Projects Available

If you're interested in volunteering in Cambodia, there is a virtual inexhaustible inventory of volunteer opportunities. Whatever type of project you enjoy doing, volunteer Cambodia is a honest way to pay back to the society and make positive contributions by working underprivileged children, women, or utilize your experience for building homes, or teaching English. Definitely, there will be volunteer Cambodia projects available to suit your personal needs.

* Discover Cambodia - Travel, Volunteer, and Cultural Exchange: A very popular destination in S.E. Asia, Cambodia is promoting its tourist spots like never before. Pristine beaches, ancient wats or temple complexes, exotic jungles with wide range of exquisite flora and fauna, tall mountains, your role as a travel volunteer will be to promote these facets of this country in your country.

* Centers for At-Risk and Homeless Children: Help street children to find a roof over their heads, study instead of sell flowers, or collect garbage, or perform other dangerous tasks in order to earn for a decent meal a day. Work with these centers in your volunteer in Cambodia capacity.

* Community Development: An umbrella term, community development covers many different issues. But many of such projects involve working with street children and poor adults. Community development includes working at orphanages, education institutions, among other NGOs. You need to have patience, a warm and friendly disposition, not to mention high levels of tolerance and compassion.

* Teaching English in Cambodia: Focused solely on teaching conversational English, volunteering in Cambodia for teaching the language includes helping the children as well as adults learn English and improve their chances of getting jobs in a world where English is the dominant language.

* Health Projects: If you are a medical intern or a doctor, or have some knowledge about health then volunteering in Cambodia as a health worker can be a rewarding experience. You get to work in clinics that are set up in very poor neighborhoods with limited resources.

Volunteering in Cambodia Requirements

1. No experience or qualifications required.

2. Must be 18 or over 18 years of age.

3. Should be free from all health problems.

Fee and Other details

Fee is applicable for every volunteering project you choose. The fee is applied towards food, accommodation, comprehensive travel insurance, in country travel, fund raising ideas etc.

Conclusion

Volunteering in Cambodia is truly humbling and never dull!

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