Physical and Occupational Therapy in Cambodia with Projects Abroad

  Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Inquire for dates

Description: There is a real shortage of skilled physiotherapists and occupational therapists in Cambodia. If you're currently training with at least one years experience, recently qualified, or on a career break, you'll provide valuable treatment to children and babies with a wide range of physical problems.

You will find that the experience you can gain on a volunteer physiotherapy or occupational therapy placement will help you to get an in depth knowledge of physiotherapy or occupational therapy in a developing country, while also giving you hands on experience delivering important treatments.

Volunteering Abroad on a Physiotherapy Placement

As a physiotherapy volunteer in Cambodia you'll work at either the National Baby and Children's Center or at the Veterans International Kien Khleang Center in Phnom Penh.

The National Baby and Children's center is home to over one hundred babies and children and the majority of them have some physical or mental disability.

The Center was established in 1980 to receive orphans and abandoned babies and children from the city and other provinces. The children at the center are very vulnerable and require constant care. It is important for volunteers to have a positive attitude and a real willingness to help children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities.

The physiotherapy department has put in place a basic schedule for the children allowing them to have quality time in the physiotherapy room as often as they can. Each child has different needs; some are learning to walk, other children have muscular problems, some do specific exercises and others need to have their joints massaged regularly. Extra help from a volunteer with these tasks will allow more children to use the room and get treatment more often.

The physiotherapy room is well equipped by Cambodian standards, with a variety of equipment including cushions, balls, mats and specialized chairs.

The Veterans International Kien Khleang center is one of three physical rehabilitation centers that Veterans International operates in Cambodia. Veterans International has been working with landmine victims and people with disabilities since 1991.

Physiotherapy volunteers work alongside one of the local physiotherapists and assist children and adults with a variety of conditions including landmine victims, people who have suffered from polio, people with cerebral palsy and children with club feet. Depending on your level of knowledge and experience you may be given your own patients to work with after your first few weeks.

The center has an outdoor undercover treatment area where patients can practice walking up steps, and walking on a variety of surfaces for example.

All physiotherapy volunteers in Cambodia must have completed at least one year of physiotherapy related studies or training by the time they join this project. Volunteers working at the Veterans International Center must also commit to at least two months on the project.

Volunteering Abroad on an Occupational Therapy placement

All Occupational Therapy volunteers will work at the Veterans International Center in Phnom Penh alongside some of the Physiotherapy volunteers.

Much of the work at the center is geared towards providing disabled adults and children with adequate mobility to participate in community activities. The workshop at the center is run by mostly disabled staff who make wheel chairs and prosthetic limbs used by many of the patients. There are also teams of technical staff and physiotherapists and occupational therapists who treat the patients once they have had artificial limbs fitted for example.

Occupational Therapy volunteers will work alongside the local staff to assist the patients in becoming independent in their daily lives. The center has a traditional Cambodian house built on the premises so local people can get used to some of the potential challenges they may face when they return home. Depending on your level of knowledge and experience you may be given your own patients to work with after your first few weeks.

Most new patients who come to the center for an artificial limb will stay at the center for at least two weeks to receive treatment from the physiotherapists and occupational therapists to make sure that they are able to return to their school or jobs as normal.

All occupational therapy volunteers in Cambodia must have completed at least one year of occupational therapy related studies or training by the time they join this project and must commit to the project for a minimum of two months.

Highlights: The capital city of Cambodia is Phnom Penh, a vibrant and fascinating city that is located in the southern part of the country. Cambodia's total area is 69,898 sq. miles (181,035 sq. km), and the population has reached 14 million people. Besides the capital city, Cambodia boasts many attractions that include beautiful beaches, an exotic jungle to explore and the world famous gathering of temples in Angkor, all well worth a visit.

Our volunteers in Cambodia live in shared apartments rented by Projects Abroad. The apartments are modern, bright and clean, and can hold about 10 volunteers at a time. One apartment is in the North of the city, in the same building as the local Projects Abroad office, and one is in the South. Volunteers will be placed according to where their placements are located to allow for the easiest commute.

In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Cost in US$: USD 3,745 and up

Experience Required: yes

One year of Physical Therapy related studies.

Age Range: 16 and up

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

Participants Travel to Cambodia Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992