Project Introduction
Do you have a heart that cherishes and loves young children? Are you interested in observing children's behaviors and understanding their unspoken feelings? This project takes place in Cambodia and involves volunteering to care for children. Cambodia endured a long war, which left many children orphaned wandering the streets. As a result, numerous orphanages were established. In these orphanages, children receive an environment where they can receive education and have time to socialize with other friends.
1. It's okay if you don't speak English! Let's sing, run, laugh, and play together at the volunteer center!
The children here are under 10 years old, so you don't need advanced English skills. You can teach them Korean nursery rhymes and dances, organize sports events on the playground to sweat and play together, or engage in art activities like folding paper and drawing. Just being there for these children who haven't received enough love from their parents will make it the best volunteering experience. If you're someone who can play with children every day, and enjoy new activities without getting tired, you are very welcome!
2. It's a time for young people from around the world to return to their childhood when they were innocent and playful!
You prepare and engage in various activities for the children, but in the end, you know, the ones who prepare the activities enjoy them the most! After focusing on studying, work, and relationships, you might find yourself becoming expressionless and rigid without even realizing it. Let's make those feelings soft and playful again. Share information about what children in other countries played when they were young and introduce them to the games you played.
tip: Global friends are fascinated by Gongginori(Korean jackstones) : )
Project Activities
This project is a volunteering activity for childcare teachers in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. After Cambodia's long war ended, many children here lost their parents and ended up wandering the streets. The institution where the project takes place is a childcare center in Cambodia. It provides free educational opportunities to children who have been marginalized and greatly need love and care, enabling them to grow and become independent. Please volunteer as a childcare teacher in the center and give the gift of learning joy to these children.
Project Activity Schedule
1. The activities are divided into morning sessions from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, and afternoon sessions from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
2. You will participate in and assist with classes such as Khmer and English language study at the institution.
3. You will help prepare meals for the children and do light cleaning.
4. In addition to studying, you will engage in activities like singing songs and playing with the children.
5. You will teach the children and help them practice the alphabet, songs, and poems, reviewing what was learned each morning.
6. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:15 PM to 5:00 PM, classes are conducted at the school adjacent to the institution. Activities include playing together on the playground, playing games, or conducting classes.
* Activities may vary slightly depending on local conditions.
- The volunteer activities with children will involve using simple English for educational purposes. However, basic communication in English is necessary as you will communicate and live with local staff and other volunteers in English.
- Since most activities involve energetic children, basic physical stamina may be required. Before starting the project, assess your physical fitness level!
- Detailed participant reviews can be found on GapYear Story (click).
- More participant reviews are available under "Participant Reviews" at the bottom of the project page.
Support
Accommodation | Online Orientation | Certificate of Completion | Wifi |
On-Site Coordinator | Pre-Departure Care | KGY Mission | Free Bicycle Rental |
Local Meals | Online Consultation | KGY Note Book | Laundry Service Available (additional cost) |
OT Documents | KGY Consultation | KGY Mission Scholarship | Kitchen Amenities including Microwave Ovens |
Airport Pick-Up | Real-Time Consultation Service | Airplane Ticket | |
Local Orientation | 24hr Emergency Care | KGY Certification |
Not Included
- Round-trip airfare
- Visa Issuance Costs
- Round-trip Transportation Fees from the Accommodation to the Institution (one way approximately $2-4 expected)
- Individual Traveler's Insurance Costs
- Other Local Stay Expenses
NOTE: Please book tickets and transportation after finally being informed of the final schedule for participation in the project and departure.
Institution Introduction
This project takes place at an orphanage located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The institution provides educational opportunities for children living in difficult circumstances and cares for them in place of parents who work to make ends meet.
This shelter serves as a refuge for children who have nowhere else to go. Instead of scavenging in garbage dumps for living, the children receive instruction. Rather than suffering from malnutrition, they are provided with nutritious meals to ensure their healthy growth. Typically, the orphanage accommodates over 20 to 30 children, offering classrooms where they can study and learn.
Word from the Local Institution Representative
I'm Mey, the manager overseeing local volunteers. I've been running this program for a long time and have had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of international volunteers. One thing I want to emphasize to volunteers is not to hesitate to ask for help whenever they encounter difficult situations or problems. Please feel free to speak up without any hesitation!
I and our staff are dedicated to assisting volunteers in resolving various aspects, including cultural differences. The accommodations and the organizations where you will volunteer are very safe and well-established. However, please do not come with overly high expectations about Cambodia. Through this activity, you'll make new friends among fellow volunteers and never feel lonely. Keep an open mind when joining us!
Accommodation Introduction
During the project, you will stay with other participants in a guesthouse-style volunteer accommodation. Typically, the ratio of international participants is higher than that of Koreans, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy communal living with friends from various nationalities. The guesthouse is run by a local Cambodian family who has been operating it for a long time, and it is located in the city, ensuring a safe living environment.
Rooms accommodate up to three people and each room is equipped with a private bathroom, a fan, and basic furniture.
The common area on the second floor of the guesthouse features amenities like sofas, tables, and chairs, allowing you to relax or spend time with friends in the evenings after work or on weekends.
Meals are provided three times a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can choose your preferred menu in advance, and lunch can be packed as a takeaway. Breakfast usually consists of simple items like bread, eggs, and fruit, accompanied by tea. Lunch and dinner offer a variety of options including sandwiches, fried rice, noodles, curry, and meats. The accommodation is located in downtown Phnom Penh, making it convenient to participate in the project during weekdays and explore the area on weekends. It takes about 35 minutes by tuk-tuk, a common Cambodian mode of transport, to reach the activity site from the accommodation.
Shared rooms / Private bathroom (hot water available) / Three meals a day (breakfast/lunch/dinner) provided / Fan available |
* Participants who wish to change their accommodation options can choose air conditioning and single/double/triple rooms for an additional fee, subject to room availability. Please note that the hottest period in Cambodia is typically from March to May, and rooms fill up quickly between July and August.
* Travel time to the activity site may vary depending on traffic conditions.
* The photos above are for illustrative purposes only; room layouts and furniture may vary depending on the time of participation and local circumstances.
*If you are sensitive to heat, you can pay an additional fee locally to switch to an air-conditioned room, subject to availability based on local conditions.
Cambodia lacks a developed transportation infrastructure, such as city buses or subways. The primary modes of transportation in Cambodia are motorcycle taxis, where passengers sit behind the driver, and three-wheeled vehicles known as "tuk-tuks," which are modified motorcycles. Motorcycle taxis are very risky in terms of safety. Therefore, despite the slightly higher cost, we recommend using tuk-tuks for your safety. Unlike regular taxis, tuk-tuks do not have a fixed fare; instead, prices are negotiated with the driver each time.
Typical one-way fares start at around 2 USD, but costs can vary widely depending on distance, time of day, and number of passengers. You might feel bewildered by the unfamiliar transportation system at first, but if you understand this relatively basic system and respect local culture, you can enjoy your time in Cambodia even more despite its relatively poor transportation infrastructure!
Location Introduction
ㅣ Location : CAMBODIA, Phnom Penh
Cambodia's formal name is the 'Kingdom of Cambodia,' located in the southeastern part of the Indochina Peninsula, bordered by Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Its capital, Phnom Penh, serves as the economic and political hub where the painful past of French colonial rule coexists with modern development.
The city is full of attractions such as the National Museum, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Independence Monument, making it a fascinating destination. However, behind the rapid economic development, one can also witness the challenging lives of the Cambodian people. The country has faced economic collapse and widespread corruption in politics and business.
People live day by day without the strength to fight corruption or the motivation to drive development. This is why education for children is crucial. We believe that through education, effective solutions for economic development and national progress can be found. Therefore, we strive to provide diverse educational opportunities to children.
Requirments
1. Who are 18 years of age or older and healthy
2. Someone dreaming of becoming a future childcare teacher.
3. Someone who loves children and playing with them together.
4. Anyone who wants to spend time with new-made international friends and do volunteer work
* COORDINATORS: TARGET - Someone who has been diagnosed with either 'Self-Reflection' or 'Lack of Affection' Working with children may seem easy, but actually handling young children every day may not be as easy as you might think. Communication may not always be smooth, and it can be disheartening when children don't listen. However, the volunteers in the institutions said that their sadness melts away in an instant when they see children approaching them, hugging them, and smiling. If you want to build unforgettable memories by going through this kind of struggle with children, this opportunity is highly recommended for you. |
Schedule and Prices
■ This Program starts on every FIRST and THIRD Monday of every Month (Sun Checkin & Sat Checkout)
■ The minimum of duration of participation in this project is at least 2 weeks.
Duration | Costs |
2 weeks | 1,490,000 KRW |
4 weeks | 1,990,000 KRW |
6 weeks | 2,270,000 KRW |
8 weeks | 2,630,000 KRW |
12 weeks | 3,530,000 KRW |
* For popular projects, there may be no guarantee of availability, so please apply promptly to secure your spot.
■ KGY Mission (▶MORE)
■ Notice of Installment Payment
If you are unable to pay in full, please deposit 500,000 KRW in advance for the registration fee and deposit the balance within two weeks. The process of confirming participation in the project will be conducted based on the date of payment of the registration fee to check the availability and TO. It is important to secure a position as soon as possible to participate in the desired date and period! (No refund when confirmed participation)
*However, if the start date is imminent, the balance deposit schedule may vary depending on the situation.
■ Early Bird And Late Application
We recommend that all projects be applied three months before the start date of the project participation with normal procedures and KGY's preparation periods, and in principle, you can apply at least two months before the start date. However, if you need to participate in the project urgently or urgently, we will help you with the procedure as soon as possible by paying an additional amount through the emergency application service.
*We are helping you with the quick procedure as soon as possible, but there is a basic time such as communication with local organizations and time to confirm participation, and all procedures are the same as regular participants, so those who participate through the late application service should actively cooperate with the Korea GapYear operation team.
** Those who apply 180 days before the start date can get an early bird discount.
*** The emergency late application service can be applied from the selection option at the top, and if you have any questions related to the emergency application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
☞ Provision: Automatic application for gap-year missions and notes / Full provision immediately upon confirmation of participation in OT materials / Additional emergency personnel / Support for preparation if documents are required
* If you have a hard time calculating the date, please refer to NAVER's date calculator >> 네이버 날짜 계산기 바로가기
Note: In the case of an emergency late application, there may be no TO depending on the local situation, and subsequent procedures will be carried out in accordance with the gap year refund policy. In addition, the participant is responsible for any problems caused by the participant's non-cooperation.