Volunteer in Cambodia

1 program available in Construction

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€176 per week 4 weeks - 12 weeks Age 18+ Wi-Fi available

We welcome to ASPIRE organization, School - Homestay & Volunteer ! Volunteers that choose to help children at Aspire organization, ASPIRE school and homestay can expect a wholesome and rewarding experience. Volunteering our NGO organization will also allow you to be immersed in local Cambodian culture. If you look at our photo gallery, you can see various activities that the children enjoyed with our past volunteers. These activities have been created by voluntary teachers, many of whom have given their time and resources, adding to the opportunities we can offer our children, such as Khmer traditional dance, music instruments, and other school activities. We also welcome people from all backgrounds regardless whether you are fluent in English or not. This is also a great place to volunteer as a group as we provide housing for multiple guests. We are providing 24 hour care for 20 of the 100 children from extreme poverty families in Siem Reap, free education for all the children. They range in age between 5 to 16 years old. Aspire School Organization and Home to help for poor, homeless and orphans, is located 7kms to the east of the center of Siem Reap, on National Road 6 in Trang Village. ASPIRE is a non-governmental, non-profit organization aimed to assist children who are either orphaned, homeless, in poverty or have disabilities. We try to offer free education to children, especially destitute families throughout Cambodia . Cambodia suffered greatly during the Khmer Rouge and genocide (1975 - 1979) this totally decimated the population, many of the remaining population being left homeless, without food and shelter. Since then Cambodia has been slowly developing. However even now, work is not plentiful here so a lot of people leave to work outside the country or in areas where they cannot take their children. These children would be homeless if it was not for organizations such as Aspire school.

Travel tips

Travel tips for Cambodia

Cambodia:

Cambodia is a country that is easy to remember for Angkor Wat, but its recent history is just as important to understanding it. Under the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, around 1.7 million people died from execution, starvation, disease and forced labour between 1975 and 1979. Today, Cambodia is a young country, and many communities are still shaped by that history. Volunteering in Cambodia can give you time to learn about the country through its people, schools and local communities rather than seeing it only as a tourist destination. Our volunteer opportunities in Cambodia include education, community development, environmental work and other local projects.

Why volunteer in Cambodia?

Cambodia is a country with a complicated recent history and a very young population. Volunteering gives you a reason to stay in one place, meet people and see everyday Cambodia rather than only visiting the famous places.

What should I know about Cambodia before volunteering?

The Khmer Rouge period is an important part of Cambodia's modern history. Between 1975 and 1979, around 1.7 million people died through execution, starvation, disease and forced labour. You will see reminders of this history in museums, memorials and conversations with Cambodians.

Can volunteering help me understand Cambodia's history?

It can give you context, but history should be learned from reliable sources and from Cambodians themselves. Spending time in a local community can make the country's past feel less like something you read about in a book and more like part of a living society.

What are Cambodian people like?

There is no single answer. Cambodia has many different communities and personalities. But when you stay somewhere for several weeks rather than a few days, you have more opportunities for ordinary conversations, shared meals, jokes, disagreements and friendships. That is often how you start getting beyond the tourist version of a country.

Can I see Cambodia beyond Angkor Wat?

Yes, and this is one reason to stay longer. Angkor Wat is extraordinary, but Cambodia is also villages, markets, farms, schools, rivers and ordinary neighbourhoods. A volunteer project can put you somewhere that you might never have visited as a tourist.

What can I learn from living in a Cambodian community?

You may learn things that have nothing to do with your volunteer work. How families spend time together, how people earn a living, what young Cambodians want for their future and how older generations remember the country's past can all become part of your experience.

Is Cambodia a good place for a first volunteer experience?

It can be, particularly if you are comfortable with a different pace of life and are willing to listen and adapt. You don't need to arrive knowing everything about Cambodia. Being curious and respectful is more important than trying to be an expert.

Can I combine volunteering with seeing Cambodia?

Yes. You can volunteer for part of your trip and then travel around the country. Or you can use your free days to explore nearby places. Staying longer in one community before travelling can make the journey feel less like a checklist of tourist attractions.

What might surprise me about volunteering in Cambodia?

You may arrive thinking mainly about helping, but end up learning more than you expected. A conversation with a local person, a meal with your host family or an ordinary afternoon in a village can sometimes tell you more about Cambodia than a full day of sightseeing.