Location
  • Cambodia
    • Phnom Penh
Length
2 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Equipment Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Visa Wifi
Jan 02, 2020
Mar 02, 2020

About Program

Participate in ethical volunteering projects to support sustainable development in a variety of focus areas, such as; community, health, youth, and women’s empowerment. GVI measures its impact against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and sets short, mid, and long-term objectives for each program.

Visit some of Cambodia’s most affluently built golden temples in Phnom Penh, or wonder at the age-old temple complex of Angkor Wat with a history spanning over 900 years. This is an opportunity to live and work among local communities, and learn about the culture and heritage. You could join traditional cooking classes in your spare time with local community leaders, or travel across the Mekong River with fellow volunteers from around the world. This is an immersive and ethical volunteer experience that works through collaboration, respect, and empowerment.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Volunteer ethically to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals of a project.
  • Travel to one of Cambodia’s most monumental UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Angkor Wat.
  • Improve your practical skills through teaching, healthcare workshops, environmental awareness classes, economic empowerment initiatives, and youth development.
  • Meet people from around the world, while also better understanding the culture of the local community.
  • Become a global citizen as you expand your awareness on leading global issues, and actively engage in different cultural practices.

Popular Programs

Intern leading class of monks in Cambodia

Contribute to the education of Buddhist monks and local youth in Kampong Cham. By learning English, students have increased opportunities for future skilled employment. It’s also an opportunity to contribute directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. You will be gaining practical teaching experience, leadership and facilitation skills, and can travel around Cambodia while learning about the culture and making friends from other parts of the world.

A monk working in a garden in Cambodia

Join health and wellbeing workshops in the local community of Kampong Cham, expanding your knowledge and skills as a teacher, ambassador, and sanitation practitioner for UN Sustainable Goal 3: Good Health And Wellbeing. Topics range from hygiene, emergency aid, awareness on communicable and non-communicable diseases, and lifestyle practices for general wellness.

Interns working with children in Cambodia

Teach English, environmental awareness, arts and crafts, and health and exercise to children in Kampong Cham. Your efforts assist in the social and basic-skill development of community youth. Improve your own teaching skills while experiencing a new environment and culture and meeting people both locally and from different international backgrounds.

Volunteer leading a workshop in Cambodia

Support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality in this women’s empowerment initiative. Work alongside GVI’s partner Phnom Srey Organization for Development to support sustainable health and life-skills classes, English lessons, and economic education. This contributes towards the long-term goals for community employment and quality of life.

Fish market in Cambodia

Actively promote and contribute towards environmental awareness workshops in Kampong Cham, a village situated along one of the worlds longest rivers, the Mekong. You’ll be collaborating to provide training on a range of topics, such as, waste management, plastic reduction, and climate change awareness.

Program Reviews

9.58 Rating
based on 24 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 87.5%
  • 7-8 rating 12.5%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Impact 9.4
  • Support 9.6
  • Fun 9.6
  • Value 9.5
  • Safety 9.5
Showing 1 - 8 of 24 reviews
Default avatar
Stella
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

best experience ever!

This trip has provided me with so much. It has broadened my perspective on so many aspects of teamwork, creativity, and leadership. I ave loved being her in Cambodia and have felt so welcomed and accepted by not only GVI staff, but the community members as well.I have loved teaching English to such amazing and unique students. The best part of my trip has been developing friendships with so many people involved on my program.I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking for an experience to teach and help a local community of amazing people.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was teaching my first class, but I overcame this through the support of my team. They helped me through all the steps until i was confident to teach an amazing lesson!
14 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Stella, thanks for your review! You are always welcome to come back as quickly as you like! We'd love to have your input and passion back on base.

Default avatar
Xander
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

GVI HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!

This is my 2nd time voluenteering with GVI, and both times they have been absolutely eye opening expierences. Not only giving me the resources and tools to teach and lead a classroom but also allowing me to immerse myself into the culture of these wonderful places. With wonderful staff who will provide you with thorough training so you always feel like prepared for any task they put in front of you. But they are not hovering over you they allow you to plan your lessons and lead class without being overbearing, but do not fret someone is always near by if you ever find yourself needing assistance. At the time i was the only non-staff volunteer which can be daunting, but the amazing staff helped lighten the load. Twice now GVI has astounded me and I'm sure they will continue to, because I hope on working with them in the future.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Spiders yummy 😋. can't recommend them enough. Just have to get over the fact that they are creepy crawlies.
12 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Xander, thanks for your great review! I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. Please do keep on spreading your love for GVI. And obviously, we would love to see you back on base soon!

Default avatar
Harriet
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing 6 weeks!

I did a 6 week short term development internship where I taught English to monks and local children. It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to anyone! In between lessons I did lesson planning and research for my project. The Kampong Cham hub is really friendly and welcoming. On the weekends we had opportunity to explore the country, I visited Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Kampot. In between lessons there is time to walk about and get to see Kampong Cham, the base is situated by the Mekong River which is a really nice view, especially at sunsets. Teaching everyday was a real highlight, it really improved my confidence in leading a class and improved my organisational skills by preparing lessons before hand. I gained a lot of valuable skills during the 6 weeks of my Internship.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would bring more resources to the base e.g pens, pencils, colours
12 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Harriet, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Jessica
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English in Cambodia!

Teaching English in Cambodia was undoubtedly a life-changing experience. While empowering the community and working towards sustainable development, I also felt empowered and experienced a tremendous amount of growth! All of my fears of being unqualified for teaching, having no prior experience, were quickly dismantled. The training we received and materials and outlines given for lesson planning made it so much easier than I anticipated! I had such an amazing time teaching in the classrooms and engaging with the children in fun, educational ways!
Apart from the volunteer work, I met the most incredible people that will end up being life-long friends (we're already planning a reunion!). Not to mention, Cambodia is a beautiful country full of rich culture, colors, and nature. I would definitely recommend GVI and this location/program for anyone looking to volunteer (ethically) abroad!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate all kinds of exotic and funky looking fruits while here!
14 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Jessica, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Martyna
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English in Cambodia

It was amazing experience and the best travel that I ever have!
People in Cambodia are super nice and friendly. Stuff from GVI and others volunteers made me feel like home. Teaching younger kids English was amazing experience but also it was a lot of fun!
Teaching monks was actually the best, but it's hard to describe the feeling you have when you're doing it, but it's more then marvelousness.
Food here is really delicious, but you need to get used to it.
Cambodia is a beautiful country with a lot of beautiful places to visit. For these who are looking for a place to go and just look around i would definitely recommend Siem Reap- Angkor Wat which is old temple. We went there when the sun was coming up and the view was breathtaking.
I wish I could stay longer and made more beautiful memories and also can't wait to come back!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
2 weeks was not enough! When you finally get used to the food, people and different culture you need to go back. Cambodia is a beautiful country where there are many amazing places to go and visit.
12 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Martyna, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Camilla
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Above and beyond

Teaching or being a teacher was never on the cards. It’s not me I would say. But wow what an experience it was. I feel in love with teaching- loved being with the kids. Not only was I a teacher, I was taught so much too. From Cambodia’s culture, speaking Khmer to personal confidence growth and open mindedness.

Overall, my expectations of this experience in Cambodia went above and beyond. From the amazing culture, most genuine locals, and grateful children to the best team and staff who were all just brilliant. I was lucky to experience so many things I would never have seen myself do or have the opportunity to do. This experience will be one that I will treasure forever and has provided me with confidence, passion and an open mind which are all skills I will use in my future endeavours. Thanks GVI Cambodia. 10/10 highly recommend.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I would be lying if I said I was completely comfortable with teaching. I am not a teacher and not someone who likes public speaking BUT after the first day with the best assistance and support from the staff I taught my first class. Each day I was excited to wake up and teach as the children were so grateful, kind and adorable. I feel this experience has made me conquer my fear of public speaking which I will forever be thankful for.
11 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Camilla, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Recess from teaching in the Mekong cafe
Liz
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

An enriching experience

Overall I had the most amazing cultural experience as part of my GVI volunteer trip to Kampong Cham, Cambodia which can only be achieved through living and working in the country. I felt very supported by GVI and received TEFL training and mentorship for teaching. As a volunteer I was privileged to teach English to monks in a Pagoda and facilitated discussions on women's health with students and staff at a University. Whilst volunteering I valued the mutual respect and benefit from working with such a warm and gentle community. I gained direct experience of GVI following the UN SDGs framework which made volunteering feel really worthwhile. Volunteering was also a great opportunity for travelling and my highlights included trips to local temples, Phnom penh, Angkor wat and Hanchey. Overall, volunteering with GVI in Cambodia has been a personally enriching which is giving my life perspective. I would highly recommend volunteering with GVI to everyone!

14 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Liz, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Ryan
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

GVI: Volunteer in Cambodia

I volunteered with GVI in Kampong Cham, Cambodia and absolutely loved every second. From the minute I arrived in Phnom Penh, I felt welcome by the staff and quickly made friendships with volunteers. The staff at Moon River Guesthouse treat you like longtime friends and help you with every need you could ever have. I even attended one of their weddings! I had a blast in Cambodia and am so thankful for the stability and resources GVI gave me. If I were to come on my own, I would not have had as great of an experience. When I signed up to come, I had initially just thought I would come to help make other's lives easier and did not consider the impact that it would have on me. My three weeks flew by and I can't wait to come back. I would recommend GVI to anyone and hope to bring my family and friends with me on my next GVI adventure!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go and see as much as you can when you aren't on project! There are loads of temples, a bamboo bridge, a sunflower field, and villages just in Kampong Cham. Angkor Wat, the Vietnam border, and Phnom Penh are nearby as well. Don't waste a second!
12 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Ryan, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Questions & Answers