This is the main way we bring skills and expertise into most of our work. We welcome both short term and long term volunteers, some people are with us for months and others may only do one week. One week is our minimum period.
WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY
Debra Tuckett
"Osborne House is a very special place for me, an oasis of love, compassion and education for disadvantaged Khmer Children of all ages. The time I spent working as a volunteer in this extraordinary place has enriched my life and left me with numerous marvelous memories."
"During my time at Osborne House teaching English to Khmer children has been an absolute delight because they are so keen to learn, so positive and so kind to me, as a foreigner in there country, The children have taught me so much and leaving after ten weeks has been one of the hardest things I have done. I am already thinking about when I can return"
What can you expect when you arrive?
Cambodia has only recently emerged from a terrible past. The Khmer Rouge genocide period followed by 20 years of civil war. The country remains one of the poorest in the world and social indicators are amongst the worst in the region. The United Nations Development Program's 2002 Human Development Index ranks Cambodia 130th among 162 countries in terms of quality of life. Therefore Cambodia is a very poor country with little infrastructure. Sometimes we work in remote rural areas with no mains electricity or running water. Most of our present work is at Osborne House so facilities are modern but if you arrive when we are doing a rural project you may be working in basic conditions with no modern conveniences. It will be very hot and dusty during the dry season (November to April) and very hot and muddy during the wet season (May to October). Projects can be up to an hours travel time from Siem Reap.
We ask all our volunteers to help us with our present and future work by making a donation. The sum you pay includes your accommodation with breakfast as well as support and emergency assistance from our staff while you are in Cambodia. Details of the donation levels are listed below:
All payments are due in US Dollars so the rates above for Euros, Pounds and Australian Dollars will fluctuate against the US Dollar. Please check with us at the time of booking for the up to date rate.
If you are applying for one of our long term placements and have the specialised skills required please ask for details of donation levels applicable to a long term stay.
A non returnable deposit of $150 is required at the time of booking and the balance is due 30 days before the start date.
SUE OSBORNE
Volunteer Coordinator UK
We are very lucky to have Sue Osborne (who Osborne House is named after) working on our behalf in the UK as a ‘local’ contact for prospective volunteers. Sue has been out to visit us on a number of occasions so she has first hand knowledge of Cof’s work and is happy to answer any questions you may have.
Mondays are our start days so we ask all volunteers to arrive in time to attend our induction which takes place at 8 am on Monday mornings
When you volunteer you are making a serious commitment and will be a role model to both the children and the Khmer staff. There are a few simple rules we need you to follow:
Please wear modest clothing nothing skimpy. Particularly women. Khmer culture is very conservative in the way women dress. Men should always wear a shirt whilst teaching.
Remember you are a role model. The Khmer people will look up to you. The ‘teacher’ is greatly respected. Set a good example at all times in the way your dress, behaviour and time keeping.
No smoking in class or in meetings.
Please stick to your booked dates and commit to working the agreed hours every day. We plan our work and sometimes turn people away because we are full. If you take time off this disrupts our work and it would have been better for us to have offered your place to someone else.
English language teaching and play leadership
Volunteering is a two way process and it is important to us that your period of time with us is a positive and beneficial experience for you. The office is open everyday and you are always welcome to come in for a chat. You need to be a positive person with a flexible attitude as well as being a team player otherwise you will find life in Cambodia difficult. Our volunteers come from all over the world from all backgrounds and of all ages so it’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends. There is a very active social life with many of the volunteers meeting up in the evenings in the popular old market area which abounds with bars and restaurants.
The core of our volunteer work is teachingEnglish language, you don’t need to be experienced or trained as it’s very easy to do and often you can pick up tips from the other volunteers. Above all you and the students must have fun and enjoy what you are doing. Usually classes are small and the students are very keen to learn. Whenever possible we try to provide a Khmer person to assist in the classroom but this is not always possible and there may be times when you will need to work on your own. Most classes are run Monday to Friday giving the volunteers the weekend off for sightseeing and catching up on the laundry.
Whilst a lesson is taking place other children will need occupying so if you are not teaching if you could pre-plan some activities and games the children will be very eager to join in. Remember you’ll get out what you put in we don’t plan your work and if you wait to be told what to do you won’t get the maximum out of the opportunity. Even a bit of reading or painting pictures all play a vital role in the child’s development. A couple of hours on the internet in the evening preparing some stuff will pay dividends. Don’t forget to share your ideas at the weekly meeting!
In addition to English teaching there will from time to time be special projects requiring people with a range of skills – maybe a one week project building a classroom or painting a room. Some of these will be planned with set dates others will just happen when funds permit.
Health
Things in Cambodia are basic and although there is an international hospital in Siem Reap most health problems, other than simple day to day things, require a trip to Bangkok. You MUST have Travel insurance which automatically includes full health cover including evacuation. There is no free health cover in Cambodia.
We are in a malaria area so you will need to visit your doctor before leaving home to get all the necessary inoculations and malaria tablets.
Medicines are available from the many pharmacies in Siem Reap but it is better to bring enough malaria tablets from home to last the length of your stay.
You need to be fit and in good health to participate in our volunteer programme and because of the basic working conditions Cambodia is not the best place if you have any disability (please check with us if in doubt). It is also very very hot due to the high humidity and anyone who thinks they may be adversely affected by the heat should consider carefully before applying.
Money
Cambodia uses two currencies – The Riel and the US Dollar. Most things are charged in dollars and you will receive change in both dollars and Riel. At the time of preparing this information the exchange rate was about 4000 Riel to 1 US$.
Bicycle hire approx $1 a day
Tuk Tuk (carriage pulled by Motorbike) approx $1 per person anywhere in the centre of Siem Reap.
It is not allowed by law to hire a motor bike in Siem Reap but you can buy one. This can be a very good option if you are staying for a few months and you can sell it at the end of your stay and often recover your original purchase price. Prices range from $500 to $800 for a reasonable second hand machine ( Honda Dream 125cc electric start)
A beer will cost about $2 (bottle 640ml)
A good meal at a restaurant less than $10
A Tuk Tuk journey in Siem Reap up to $3
A swim at a hotel $5
3 day temple pass $40
30 day business visa $45
There are modern banks in Siem Reap and a range of ATM’s so transferring funds and using international credit cards is no problem.
Things to bring.
Firstly please remember that one of our main roles is fund raising. All the projects are desperate for money to cover their day to day running costs. We ask all our volunteers to try and raise some money before leaving home. This is a very rewarding task and often helps to build up the excitement and anticipation before joining the project. Money is more useful than donated items. Often we can buy things locally much cheaper than you can buy them in your home country and the money will go to local market stalls and directly benefit Cambodians. We can also buy exactly what is needed rather than donated items ending up sitting in a cupboard.
Cambodians love to learn about you, your family and your home country. So try and bring pictures, maybe an album, and as much stuff as you can to show them. A picture of your pet, of your house, of your place of work, of your kitchen, of your favourite national dish etc.
As far as your own clothing is concerned stick with old clothing, T shirts and shorts are best for working in the hot dusty climate with a change for going out in the evenings. Most people wear open shoes such as flip flops. The temperature only drops a little in the evenings so you don’t need any thick warm clothing. A sun hat is advisable as are sunglasses and plenty of insect repellent. Don’t forget your swimming costume and sun cream. A lightweight rain coat and/or umbrella are essential for the wet season (May to October).
This is the main way we bring skills and expertise into most of our work. We welcome both short term and long term volunteers, some people are with us for months and others may only do one week. One week is our minimum period.
"Osborne House is a very special place for me, an oasis of love, compassion and education for disadvantaged Khmer Children of all ages. The time I spent working as a volunteer in this extraordinary place has enriched my life and left me with numerous marvelous memories."
We are very lucky to have Sue Osborne (who Osborne House is named after) working on our behalf in the UK as a ‘local’ contact for prospective volunteers. Sue has been out to visit us on a number of occasions so she has first hand knowledge of Cof’s work and is happy to answer any questions you may have. 
