General Info
Angkor Wat is "one of the most beautiful and fascinating places on the planet". It's a Khmer term literally meaning (Buddhist) Temple City. It’s one of the main attractions in the whole of South Asia.
You can teach English, Music, Sports, Drama and Healthcare. Your supervisor is the school's Buddhist Monk and this very friendly school really wants you to come and help out! You’ll live in a sociable and lively guesthouse in Siem Reap, commuting daily (possibly by tuk-tuk!) into the heart of the ancient Angkor Wat ruins. You don't need any qualifications for this project and you’ll experience the best of city, history and spirituality that Cambodia has to offer… and that's saying something!
This extremely friendly school is a non-government organisation and is very keen to have volunteers. The NGO was established and recognised by the Cambodian Government in February 2006. The school is based in Siem Reap Province in the north western region of the country where 45% of people live in deep poverty. You offer the children at this school the chance to learn conversational English skills that may enable them to create better futures for themselves within this culture-rich region that thrives with tourism opportunities.
WORK CONTENT
You'll teach classes by yourself to children ranging in ages from 4-15, whose English is about Beginner level. You'll primarily teach English alongside other subjects of your choice, including Sports, Art, Drama, Music and Primary Healthcare.
There are around 370 children at the main school and hundreds of children in the surrounding local schools. The classes are quite large, although exact numbers vary from day to day as many of the kids work in the fields with their families on certain days. The school has no real English teaching resources and if you can take any useful teaching resources, equipment or props with you, this is very much appreciated.
You'll teach around 4 hours a day, Monday to Friday, and you'll compile the lessons yourself. We do provide you with a Teaching Suggestions Guide which will help you to prepare lesson plans. If you're nervous at the thought of taking classes yourself, you could do a 1-Day or Weekend TEFL course - it's not a requirement, but it will help you to boost your confidence as well as giving you some teaching skills.
The school has basic sports facilities and a library, but there is no DVD player, computers or internet currently at the school.
The NGO is also involved in other issues concerning the local people who live in poverty. Depending on how long you spend on the project, there are other types of projects that you can also help with, such as:
Construction of simple wooden houses for the poorest families.
Helping to build the village school library for the kids.
Painting the classrooms and the library.
For now, teaching the children some English, Sports, Painting, Primary Healthcare, Drama and/or Music to local kids at their school is the main project, with the building and construction options being potential future goals.
THE SCHOOL: The school opens on Mondays to Fridays from 07:00 - 11:00 and then again from 14:00 – 17:00, excluding the official holidays of the kingdom of Cambodia. School Exam period is 26th June - 28th June. There are 8 full time teachers, one of whom is the English teacher.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: School holiday period is from 31st July - 1st Oct
SPORTS PROJECTS: There is no sports teacher at this school so if you have a love of sports, you should get the kids involved - they love it! You are likely to teach the older age range of 10-15 year olds and the sports that you could coach them include football, tennis, volleyball and body exercise, amongst others. Sports classes would take place after school hours and you would coach independently.
OPTIONAL MEDICAL PROJECT THAT YOU CAN COMBINE WITH TEACHING
If you're interested in Medicine, a part time medical project is available at a Medical Centre alongside the nearby community teaching project in Angkor Wat. This project is only available as a combined project with teaching because there wouldn't be sufficient medical involvement to keep you busy all day.
Benefits:
Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £695 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.
Requirements:
No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.
