About Us
Aspire School provides free education and ongoing support to approximately 100 local children, while also offering full-time care and accommodation for 20 students who live on campus. The school is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring they have access not only to learning but also to safety, stability, and daily necessities. Through its programs, Aspire School creates a nurturing environment where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
All proceeds from this cooking experience directly contribute to sustaining Aspire School’s educational initiatives, including daily meals for students, essential learning materials, classroom resources, and the continued care and wellbeing of residential students. By participating, guests are directly helping to support long-term educational development and empowerment within the local community.
Program at a glance
Why choose us?
This cooking program offers far more than just a culinary experience—it is a truly meaningful cultural exchange that brings people together through food, learning, and shared purpose. Whether you are passionate about Cambodian cuisine, eager to try hands-on cooking with fresh local ingredients, curious about traditional recipes passed down through generations, or interested in engaging in community-based volunteering, this experience provides a rare opportunity to connect deeply with the local culture and way of life.
Guided by local cooks and community members, you will not only learn how to prepare authentic dishes but also gain insight into the stories, traditions, and values behind each meal. Every step of the experience is designed to be immersive, interactive, and enriching, allowing you to actively participate rather than just observe.
At the same time, your participation directly supports a greater cause. By joining this program, you are contributing to initiatives that create real, lasting impact in the lives of children at Aspire School—helping provide access to quality education, nutritious meals, learning materials, and safe care environments. Every contribution helps sustain and grow these essential programs.
In return, you leave not only with new cooking skills and cultural knowledge, but also with meaningful memories, personal connections, and the satisfaction of knowing your experience has made a positive difference in a community.
Requirements
- Good level of English for communication
- No teaching or cooking experience needed
- Interest in culture, cooking, and working with children
- Respectful and positive attitude
- Willingness to participate in activities
Volunteer experience
Your day begins with an optional early morning visit to a vibrant local market at 8:00 AM, where you will be introduced to a variety of fresh Khmer ingredients, seasonal produce, and traditional foods. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Cambodian culinary culture, daily life, and the importance of local markets in the community. Hotel pickup from Siem Reap can also be arranged for an additional fee, ensuring a smooth and convenient start to your experience.
After the market visit, you will travel to Aspire School, located approximately 20 minutes outside Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed and take part in a hands-on Khmer cooking class led by experienced local staff. You will learn step-by-step how to prepare authentic Cambodian dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, gaining insight into traditional cooking methods and flavors. Once the cooking is complete, you will sit down and enjoy the delicious meal you have helped prepare, sharing a relaxed and rewarding dining experience with your hosts.
Following lunch, you will have the opportunity to spend meaningful time with the children through informal games and engaging activities, helping to create a fun and supportive environment. This interaction offers a chance to connect with students, share experiences, and contribute to their confidence and social development before their afternoon classes begin.
From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, visitors are welcome to assist with English lessons for students aged 6 to 14 years old. No formal teaching experience is required—only a good level of English and a positive, encouraging attitude. School staff will be present to provide full guidance, lesson plans, and materials, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable teaching experience for both volunteers and students.
The day concludes with a beautiful traditional Apsara dance performance by Aspire School students, offering a glimpse into Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. This graceful and expressive performance is a memorable way to end the day, celebrating both learning and cultural connection.
We ask volunteers to contribute USD 20 per day for accommodation in a shared room. An additional charge applies for a private room. This includes free Wi-Fi and access to facilities such as the pool.
We also encourage a donation of USD 100 per week to support the children or to contribute toward fundraising for construction and development projects.
We ask volunteers to contribute USD 20 per day for accommodation in a shared room. An additional charge applies for a private room. This includes free Wi-Fi and access to facilities such as the pool. These funds are vital to support the home and school, including food, clothing, transportation, and school materials for the children.
Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
The free time activities for our volunteers include playing with the children, swimming in the pool, playing football and volleyball, growing vegetables in the garden, raising chickens, and helping with cleaning and environmental activities around the school, home, and kitchen, among others.
We can also help arrange any local tours of places of interest that you would like to visit.
We offer a cooking class for USD 25 per person, which includes learning how to prepare, mix, and cook traditional dishes using local flavors. This also includes a visit to the local food market to purchase ingredients. An ASPIRE School recipe book is also available for purchase, featuring drawings made by some of the ASPIRE children.
If you are unable to volunteer but would still like to support our project, we would be extremely grateful for any donations. Please contact us for more information.
📍 http://ASPIRE%20Homestay%20&%20Volunteer,%20NR6,%20Prasat%20Bakong
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