WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
Poverty, and the consequential lack of education that results from it, traps the children of Cambodia in a cycle of deprivation that causes many problems in their lives such as becoming vulnerable to child labour markets where they can be forced to work hazardous jobs, or even be sold into prostitution. The ever present poverty causes malnourishment, homelessness, and lack of access to healthcare and sanitation, amongst other things. With nearly one in three 7-14 year olds unable to attend school, the prospect of escaping this 'poverty cycle' is bleak indeed.
You can give hope to these impoverished children, giving them the love and affection that they have been denied for much of their lives. You will dance, sing, and play games with children as well as help teach them English. Literacy is key to education and future jobs for poor children, enabling them to move beyond subsistence farming. Illiterate children have few educational options, and your presence in the school gives them the gift of English, the language of commerce and tourism, allowing them access to more stable and secure jobs, and potentially high school and college scholarships.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
You will be working with a registered NGO in Siem Reap, an organisation which is self funded and fully supports local children which cannot afford an education. You will be working at the heart of the community, where you will have the freedom to be creative and inspiring with your teaching, using the innovative and fun techniques of TEFL as the basis for your teaching framework. The children you are helping to teach will be very hard working and appreciative of your contribution to their education, and will be incredibly responsive to your presence on the project.
Teaching these children is a powerful way to enable them to access opportunities that would otherwise be entirely denied to them, and is also an enjoyable way to build up your own skill base and independence with practical TEFL experience, whilst embracing the exotic and friendly culture of this spellbinding pocket of Asia.
If possible we recommend that volunteers try to stay for three to four weeks to maximise the benefit of your presence within the classroom. Those volunteers joining for less than four weeks may not have the opportunity to teach their own class but will play a key part with kindergarten, organic gardening and arts and crafts exercises.
Sample Itinerary*
Weekdays
0700 – Wake up and get ready for the day
0800 – Start travelling to school locations
0845 – Arrive at school and prep for the first lesson
0900 – 1100 – The morning shift arrives to be taught
1100 – 1500 – Lunch and self-validation of the mornings activities. Begin prepping the next days’ lesson plans so that you can maximise on the cool of the night to have fun!
1500 – 1700 – Afternoon shift arrives for more schooling
1700 – School finishes
1800 – Volunteers and staff prepare food Khmai style.
Evening – Explore the night markets, chill, grab a cool beer or even a cocktail in the Red Piano or Café Central. If you are feeling really brave try getting a foot massage from the fish spa … or if you are really brave a street massage!
*This itinerary should only be considered as an example of the kind of activities and timescales to expect. Actual itineraries may vary depending on the season and the requirements of the project.
Weekends
The weekends are to do with as you wish. Wake up at 0400 and grab a tuk tuk to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat or sleep in and have a lazy day being spoilt in a snazzy spa and everything in between. Visit the famous floating villages of Tomle Sap Lake or explore the countryside by horseback (or even quad bike)! Learn Khmai cookery and take the daring street food tuk tuk tour, or just go to a free resort pool and eat chips. It’s entirely up to you! Whatever you do you will have deserved it! If you don’t know what to do, ask the PC and they will be able to point you out to all their favourite haunts!
What Next? Apply Now!
