Help Poor and Street Children, Orphans in Cambodia

  Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: On going

Description: Hope of Children Orphanage
The orphanage was founded by a monk as a response to the growing number of children losing their parents to AIDS. The monk, orphaned himself as a young boy, started out taking in seven of these orphans, and begging for their food himself. Today the orphanage has around 120 kids, ranging from infants to 20 year olds.

Poveal Pagoda
Poveal Pagoda is a temple school that was setup so poor monks would be able to receive better English education than what public schools offer. Situated on the banks of the Sangker River in the heart of Battambang, the students are mainly young monks, but also other young and poor children that can't afford private English lessons. The teachers are also mainly monks

Ptea Teuk Dong (Street Families Center)
Ptea Teuk Dong (PTD), located in the rice fields outside of Battambang, takes in families living on the street along with abused young women, and aims to teach adults a trade or skill, and the children get a chance to attend school.

Highlights: Hope of Children Orphanage
As a volunteer, your primary duty will be in assisting with the English classes in the afternoon, one of your most important roles at the school will be just hanging out at the orphanage and giving the kids some attention. All these kids have lost their parents and the volunteer is both as a parent and a friend. Volunteers live in the Openmind House in Battambang.

Poveal Pagoda
As a volunteer, you will work 3-4 hours a day at the school, always with a Khmer teacher. The students here rely on the volunteer mainly for conversation skills and also help with pronunciation.
They rarely have the chance to speak to a foreigner, so they love to practice their conversation skills with the volunteer. At this placement you will stay at the Openmind House in Battambang.

Ptea Teuk Dong (Street Families Center)
As a volunteer at PTD, you will get to experience every aspect of Khmer culture. Your main duty will be as an English teacher, teaching both the primary students (ages 6-13), and also the young women and staff.The volunteer will also be working closely with the Khmer staff exchanging ideas and helping each other.

Qualifications: Volunteers with empathy, patience, adaptable and willing to help are welcome

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Any age, from North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, other countries too with an interest to travel , help and learn about new ways of living, and willing to adapt to new cultures

Age Range: 18 plus

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Cambodia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Open mind projects's Mission Statement: Open Mind Projects is a bridge to knowledge and cross-cultural understanding, bridging digital and knowledge divides between rich and poor. Open Mind Projects arranges placements for international volunteers to schools, Orphan Homes, other institutions and projects, in Thailand and Laos. Open Mind Projects cooperates with these schools and institutions with learning ideas, technology and international volunteers. Schools and other learning/youth institutions in developing nations are understaffed and under resources. New information technology and international volunteers help offset this advantage. Open Mind Projects wants to facilitate valuable cross-cultural experience, personal development, for volunteers and local childeren and students. An opportunity to learn about other cultures while making local and international friends, within an affordable backpacker budget.

Year Founded: 2001