Cambodia International Health, HIV/AIDS Prevention, and Orphan/Disabled Care Program

  Cambodia

• Other Cities in Cambodia: 
Phnom Penh

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Throughout the year

Description: Global Service Corps participants discover Cambodia by living, working and learning with Cambodian people in their own communities.

Participants join the staff of a health care facility, residential children's center for orphans or a community-based education program, sharing their time, talents, experience and knowledge with teachers, students and community members. Living in a Cambodian community at local accommodation, participants are immersed in the customs of the local culture by taking part in daily community activities.

Evenings and weekends provide time for excursions around the area, seeing artisans at work producing hand-made crafts, visiting temples and museums, and perhaps joining a local festival.

Global Service Corps provides a variety of project placements in hospitals, clinics, orphanages, private nonprofit schools, and community-based organizations. By evaluating each participant's interests and skills as well as the community's needs, every effort is made to match the participant with the appropriate placement to ensure a mutually rewarding experience for both.   

Highlights: Cambodia, the Kingdom of Wonder, is home to majestic temple ruins, rainforests, laid-back coastal resorts, an increasingly cosmopolitan capital, and warm and gracious people.

English for Life

The English for Life Program provides direct education, and builds the skills of local teachers in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and HIV/AIDS Prevention. English is not part of the Cambodian public school curriculum. However, many residential children's centers for orphans, private nonprofit schools, and community-based organizations offer English language instruction, recognizing its importance to the future livelihoods of the children and youth in their care. Both teachers and students often have poor speaking and listening skills and this is where GSC orphanage and conversational English volunteer participants are truly valuable. In addition, Cambodia has made great strides in turning the tide of the HIV epidemic; however, young people remain vulnerable and often do not receive sufficient attention from HIV/AIDS prevention organizations. Teachers are often shy to bring up issues related to HIV/AIDS in the classroom. GSC HIV/AIDS prevention volunteers have the opportunity to help close this knowledge gap, increase teachers' comfort levels in teaching HIV/AIDS prevention, and keep future generations safe from this disease.

International Health

GSCs Cambodian volunteer program in International Health teams up with selected local non-profit organizations and private health care facilities to provide essential local services and mitigate against this poor state of Cambodian public health. Public servants, including doctors and teachers, earn USD30-50 per month, so there are the inherent problems that doctors and teachers are poorly trained, do not show up for work, and often rely on corruption for their subsistence. Staff of GSC partner organizations work long hours with minimum support -- your presence and professional input as an international health volunteer in Cambodia will be greatly appreciated. Our partners have requested that our GSC volunteers participate for a minimum of four weeks, our minimum time requirement for participation on this GSC volunteer program. Please see our website for further information on Internship and Fellowship programs.

Orphan/Disabled Care

Poverty and abandonment have led to an increase in the population of orphans and left many deeply mentally and physically scarred. Together with local non-profit organizations, GSC is committed in transforming the lives of the abandoned, orphaned and disabled children in Cambodia. GSC is currently working with a local family-based orphanage in Phnom Penh to bring light and happiness into the lives of disadvantaged children. The orphanage is staffed by well-educated local volunteers who are committed to raising these children to young adulthood. Collaboratively, GSC volunteers assist the local staff to help organize activities for the children, teach basic English classes and coach sports. As a GSC volunteer, you will not only be a teacher, but also a mentor and a friend while having the unique opportunity to be a part of the family and live with the children and staff.

Cost in US$: Program Costs Start at USD 3,140

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 - 80

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

Participants Travel to Cambodia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Global Service Corps's Mission Statement: Working from offices on three continents, Global Service Corps is dedicated to fulfilling our mission of designing and implementing effective service-learning programs that provide maximum benefit to our program participants and the communities we serve. Through the hard work of our staff, support of our advisory board, collaboration with our partners and the participation of hundreds of volunteers each year, Global Service Corps has earned its reputation as a leader in international volunteerism, service-learning and community development.

Year Founded: 1992