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This project provides free meals to children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia who do not have a proper meal even once a day.
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Asia. In fact, 35% of the population lives on less than $1 a day and often does not get a proper meal. In such extreme conditions, the plight of children becomes even more severe. Children who do not get proper nutrition are susceptible to malnutrition and weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Come visit the restaurant that shares love!
The place where you will be volunteering provides free meals to street children and offers services such as hygiene management and education. Until now, the only hope these children had was collecting valuable trash. However, the meals at this restaurant provide not only health but also hope and courage for their future. Please combine your love and courage to give the children in Cambodia a wonderful day!
This project provides free meals to children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Most of the children who come for free meals are either orphans or so poor that they cannot be properly cared for. As a result, they spend most of their days scavenging for trash or begging on the streets. Therefore, participants will engage in various activities (such as English education, hygiene education, outdoor activities) in addition to supporting free meals, helping with the physical and emotional growth of the children.
- This project is conducted in English.
■ English Requirement ★ ☆ ☆ ☆☆
- Since most of the staff and volunteers communicate in English, participants will be exposed to an English-speaking environment.- However, since the main activities involve supporting free meals and spending time with the children, basic communication in English is sufficient!
- The children participating in the free meal program are mostly under 14 years old.
- The free meal program serves 150 to 200 children daily.
- Project activity hours are from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
- Participants generally assist with meal preparation, serving, washing dishes, and cleaning up.
- Depending on the restaurant schedule, participants may teach basic English, hygiene education, etc. (e.g., how to greet in English, brushing methods, etc.)
- Guide street children to the free meal program.
- Plan and organize outdoor activities and picnics for the children who come for free meals.
- Engage with the children who come for free meals to create a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere.
* Detailed participant reviews can be found at Gap Year Story (Click).
* More participant reviews can be found at the bottom of the project under "Participant Reviews".
 Local Orientation |
 Online Orientation |
 Online Consulting |
 Local Institution Certificate |
 Gap Year International Experience Certificate |
 Participant Dispatch Procedures |
 Gap Year Mid-Consulting |
 Gap Year Mission |
 24-Hour Emergency Contact Network |
 Flight Ticket Purchase Assistance |
 Real-Time Counseling Service |
 Gap Year Notebook |
 Project Registration and Participation Fee |
 Gap Year Mission Scholarship Payment |
 OT Materials |
 Local Volunteer Accommodation |
 Airport-Hotel Pickup Service |
 Local Meals (3 meals per day) |
 Local Dedicated Manager |
 Project Management and Training |
 WiFi in Accommodation |
 Fan in Room |
Not Included
- Round-trip airfare
- Individual travel insurance
- Other local accommodation costs
- Visa issuance fees (invitation letter from local organization)
This organization running the project is an NGO that supports free meals to extremely impoverished children living on less than $1 a day. Since 2010, the organization has established its own restaurant, providing meals not only to 200 children daily but also offering hygiene management, haircuts, and educational services.
The children coming to this restaurant are those who cannot go to school due to their need to beg or collect garbage from the streets to sustain themselves. Rather than aiming to change the world, this organization is dedicated to steadily improving the reality faced by Cambodian children. To date, they have provided 370,000 meals to street children.
Message from the Local Coordinator
I am Mey, the coordinator in charge of managing local volunteers. I have been running this program for a long time and have had the chance to work with many diverse international volunteers. What I want to say to volunteers is not to hesitate to ask for help when you encounter difficult situations or problems. Please feel free to ask!
Our staff, including myself, work tirelessly to address many aspects including cultural differences for the benefit of the volunteers. The accommodations and the institutions where you will volunteer are very safe and verified. However, please don't come with overly high expectations about Cambodia. Through this activity, you will make new friends and won’t feel lonely. It’s great if you come with an open mind!
During the project period, you will stay with other participants at a guesthouse-type volunteer accommodation.
Generally, the ratio of foreign participants is higher than that of Korean participants, so you will be able to enjoy communal living with friends from various nationalities at the guesthouse. The accommodation is operated by local Cambodian families who have been running it for a long time, and it is located in the city, so it is safe to live there.
The rooms can accommodate up to 3 people, and each room is equipped with a private bathroom and a fan, along with basic furniture.
The common area on the 2nd floor includes facilities such as a sofa, table, and chairs, where you can relax after work or spend time with friends during dinner time or on weekends.
Meals are provided for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can choose your preferred menu in advance, and lunch can be packed as a lunchbox.
Breakfast usually consists of simple items like bread, eggs, and fruit with tea, while lunch and dinner include a variety of menus such as sandwiches, fried rice, noodles, curry, and meat dishes.
The accommodation is located in downtown Phnom Penh, making it ideal for participating in the project during weekdays and for sightseeing around the area on weekends.
It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the accommodation to the activity center, or approximately 15 minutes by tuk-tuk, which is Cambodia's local mode of transport.
Shared room / Private bathroom (hot water available) / 3 meals a day (breakfast / lunch / dinner) provided / Use of fan
* Participants who wish to change the accommodation options can pay an additional fee to select air conditioning and single/double/triple rooms based on the accommodation TO.
Note that Cambodia is generally hottest from March to May, and spaces fill up quickly between July and August.
* The time required to move to the activity center may vary depending on traffic conditions.
* The above photo is an example for reference. The layout and furniture of the room may vary depending on the time of participation and local circumstances.
* If you are sensitive to heat, you can opt for an air-conditioned room by paying an additional fee locally, though availability may vary depending on local circumstances.
#Small Tips on Cambodian Transportation
Cambodia has a weak transportation infrastructure, and public transport systems such as city buses and subways are not well-developed.
The main modes of transportation in Cambodia are motorcycle taxis, where you ride on the back of a motorcycle, and tuk-tuks, which are three-wheeled vehicles adapted from motorcycles. Motorcycle taxis are very dangerous in terms of safety.Therefore, even though it might be a bit more expensive, it is recommended to use tuk-tuks for safety reasons.
Unlike regular taxis, tuk-tuks do not have fixed fares and prices are negotiated with the driver each time. The usual one-way fare starts at around 2 USD, and costs can vary widely depending on distance, time of day, number of passengers, etc.
| Location : Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Cambodia's official name is the ‘Kingdom of Cambodia’ and it is located in Southeast Indochina, bordered by Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is the economic and political center where the painful past of French colonial rule and modern development coexist. The city is full of attractions such as the National Museum, the Royal Palace, the Water Palace, and the Independence Monument.
On the other hand, one can also see the struggles of Cambodians who live hard lives amid rapid economic development. Political instability means that the benefits of economic growth are not evenly distributed. Therefore, many international NGOs and aid organizations are working to rebuild society in Cambodia through efforts in education, economy, agriculture, and politics.
■ Introduction to the Travel Destination
1. Riverside
Riverside is an area along the Mekong River that is densely packed with hotels, restaurants, and cafes. It is close to the city center and is relatively safe and clean due to its location by the riverside park. Travelers who wander around during the day often gather here at night to end their day, making it a popular resting place for tourists. Located right next to the Mekong River, it is a great place to enjoy a coffee or beer while looking out at the river's gentle flow. There are also cafes where foreign journalists wrote articles during the Cambodian Civil War and the Vietnam War, and pubs with beautiful night views, allowing you to experience a lively evening atmosphere.
2. Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is an iconic building of Cambodia. It was built in the traditional Khmer style and is about 100 years old, still preserved as a historical building. As a tip for visiting, note that sleeveless tops or short shorts are not allowed in the palace. You should prepare long sleeves and pants beforehand or rent appropriate clothes at the palace entrance for a small fee to gain entry.
3. Russian Market
The Russian Market is a traditional market for Phnom Penh citizens. It is named ‘Phsar Toul Tom Poung’ in the local dialect, referring to the time when it sold Russian products. You can find a wide variety of items including traditional Cambodian food, books, and clothing, with many souvenirs and handicrafts popular among foreign tourists. Exploring such traditional markets is a great way to experience local culture. Spend some time at the Russian Market to get a feel for the everyday life of Cambodians.
Target Audience
- Healthy adults aged 18 and over
- Anyone currently working as a childcare teacher, kindergarten teacher, or interested in these fields
- Anyone interested in international NGO activities
- Anyone who wants to participate in volunteer activities with friends from various countries
- Anyone looking for a special experience during vacation
- Anyone who can communicate in basic English
- Anyone with an open mind
■ The recommended start dates are the first and third Mondays of each month.
■ The minimum participation period for this project is 2 weeks .
■ Project Fee
2 weeks 1,490,000 KRW
* For popular projects, there may be no available slots, so please apply quickly to secure a spot.
■ Gap Year Mission Scholarship (▶ View Details)
■ Installment Payment Information
If you cannot pay in full, please make an advance payment of 500,000 KRW for the registration fee and pay the remaining balance within 2 weeks. Based on the date of the registration fee payment, the process to confirm participation and check availability and slots will proceed. It is important to secure your spot quickly to participate on your desired dates and duration! (No refunds once participation is confirmed)
* However, if the start date is approaching, the schedule for the remaining balance payment may change depending on the situation.
■ Early Bird Discount and Emergency Application Information
All gap year projects recommend applying at least 3 months before the project start date due to standard procedures and preparation time. The principle is to apply no later than 2 months in advance. However, if you have urgent reasons or need to participate quickly, we offer an emergency application service for an additional fee to expedite the process as much as possible.
* Although we assist with expedited procedures, there is basic time required for communication with local agencies and confirmation of participation. All procedures are carried out the same as with regular participants, so those using the emergency application service must actively cooperate with the Korea Gap Year Operations Team.
** Applicants who apply 180 days before the start date can receive an early bird discount.
*** Emergency application services can be applied for in the options above. For inquiries about emergency applications, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
- Provided Services: Automatic application for gap year missions and notes / Full materials provided upon confirmation / Additional urgent staffing / Support for document preparation if needed, etc.
* For those having trouble calculating dates, please refer to the Naver Date Calculator >> Naver Date Calculator
* The above information is subject to change based on the actual project schedule and availability, so please refer to the latest updates.
■ Estimated Additional Costs (per week)
| Item | Details and Remarks | Amount | Category |
| Round-trip Airfare (including TAX) | Varies by flight | Approx. 350,000 ~ 800,000 KRW | Not Included |
| Visa Issuance Fee | Visa processing and issuance fee | $30 | |
| Individual Travel Insurance Fee | Varies by insurance company / duration | Approx. 10,000 KRW |
*Airfare may vary depending on the flight.
*Local living expenses are based on average standards and may vary depending on the participant's preferences.
*Travel expenses and personal spending money are separate.
■ Reference (Estimated Local Prices)
| Accommodation | Per Night | Meal | Per Meal |
| Guesthouse | Approx. 10,000 won | Local Meal | Approx. 2,000 won |
| Hotel |
Approx. 20,000 won |
Restaurant | Approx. 5,000 won |
* The estimated local prices are based on average standards and may vary depending on the participant's preferences.
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