Orphanage and Community Teaching - Cambodia - Volunteer reviews

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Narelle - 2013

"Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I have no other words to describe my whole experience in Takeo, other than amazing.  Like you said, I wish I could have stayed longer, two weeks just wasn't long enough but I will go back again one day!

The overall experience was amazing. Embracing the culture, meeting other volunteers and of course teaching and playing with the children were among the many highlights of the project. The kids were more than eager to learn and highly intelligent - a real pleasure to teach! Two weeks was definitely not enough time!

Each day was different. There are so many things to do. We would get up for breakfast either at the centre or ride down to the market, then play with the children at the orphanage before they went to school, come back for lunch and do some lesson planning, then ride out to the village school or monks and teach for two hours, then back to the orphanage to play with the children - mainly volleyball and head back to the centre."

What did you find most rewarding?
"Being able to teach the children something different, learn about their lives and their families."

What did you find most challenging?
"Teaching the monks was quite challenging as their English was quite advanced. They do like to converse in conversation and play hangman!"

Were there any aspects of the placement which you would like to see improved?
"I think there needs to be some structure around what has already been taught at lessons, as different volunteers go different days so sometimes the children are being taught what they already know. There is a book at the centre that is supposed to be filled out after a class but it hasn't been written in for a while."

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"Stay longer than two weeks, I can guarantee you will wish you had more time there like me!"

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"It is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. You learn a lot about yourself, others and the Cambodian culture."

Jane - 2013

"This was my third volunteer project over the last six months and definitely the most unstructured. It took me longer to settle in but once I had, I really thoroughly enjoyed it.

Cycling in the heat isn’t for everyone but I soon learned to love it. I liked that there was a variety of projects and you could choose which ones you wanted to get involved with. The children were lovely and so too were the monks. The highlight of my time there was most certainly being invited to the Chief Monks birthday party. They made us so welcome and treated us like VIP’s!

Cambodia as a country and its people really blew me away. I also enjoyed going off with the other volunteers at the weekends to discover a bit more of Cambodia. It is incredible how happy, friendly, relaxed and contented the Cambodian’s are given their recent tragic history. I will definitely return!"

Please describe a typical day at the project
"A typical day would be basic breakfast (or breakfast in the local market) then lesson planning or cycling in to the town or an early start at the orphanage. I chose to teach English at the orphanage and then teach the Monks in the afternoon. I instigated re-painting the large wall that borders the orphanage which had to be done very early morning as too hot later on! I also got involved at one of the schools as teaching assistant. Often we would cycle back in to town to buy a delicious fruit smoothie. Late in the afternoon all the volunteers would gradually gather after our different pursuits during the day. We’d have supper together and then usually sit out on the balcony and chat until late. There were many different age groups and nationalities which made the project interesting!"

What did you find most rewarding?
"I think what I found most rewarding was actually becoming a part of rural Cambodian life! Takeo is off the beaten track and tourists still a novelty. The Cambodian's are so friendly and genuine and the countryside so beautiful. I often had to stop cycling on my way to one of the projects and reach for my camera as the scenery is truly unspolit Cambodia."

What did you find most challenging?
"Most challenging aspect was probably cycling in the heat and trying to figure out which projects to settle in to! There are quite a few to choose from and it took a couple of days and much sweltering cycling to get an overview. When you first arrive there isn’t much guidance so I relied of the other volunteers to help me."

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"Take the right clothing! Be prepared as it will be hot and sweaty but dress appropriately. This is rural Cambodia and the women dress very modestly. No skimpy shorts, see through tops, cleavage or vest tops, especially with the monks! You must be covered below the knees and have your arms (to elbow) covered if going to the pagoda. Casual clothes fine for volunteer house though. Even walking around Takeo town you will see that local ladies cover up.
Oh and, drink lots of water to stay hydrated."

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"Volunteering is a fantastic way to experience another country, learn new skills and meet other people from around the world. I have made friends for life through the projects I have done and feel privileged to have discovered the authentic aspects of new countries. All hugely rewarding, you'll never regret it."

Why did you choose PoD?
"Professional, knowledgeable, helpful, good value. Would (and have) definitely recommend PoD. A huge thank you to all the team, especially Erin, Becky and Gemma, who’ve helped me with the projects I have done so far. I’ll be back for more!"

Kate - 2012

"Being in my forties I wasn't sure if I maybe too old for this project and if it was really aiming for students on a gap year or uni break. However, Becky reassured me that the project was open to all and that we would all be welcome. Having never travelled on my own before I was a little nervous but didn't need to be, everything ran smoothly and I was met at the airport as arranged by PoD and taken to my hotel (as I had arrived at the weekend and my placement didn't start until the Monday). I was met on the Monday and introduced to all the other volunteers, there was a mixture of ages and nationalities and all were very friendly and eager to answer any questions I had. After that you are thrown into the deep end and have to decide what you want to do and what you can contribute. There is the opportunity to assist with classes at the orphanage, teach in the rural schools, or help the local police and monks with conversational English.

You very quickly make friends and tend to group with the volunteers that want to do the same activities as you. So after a basic breakfast I would cycle to the orphanage with my new friends and chat and play with the children, I would assist with two of the classes, this could be anything from helping with the children’s spelling or talking to them about England, showing them postcards, photo's, coins etc. and then helping them write about the differences between the countries. The children love to find out all about you and they ask lots of questions! At lunchtime a group of us would pop in to see the "Noodle Lady" and have a bowl of noodles or rice and an Iced coffee and a catch up with how the day was going, afterwards we would cycle to meet the monks and spend time chatting and helping them with their written English. They were lovely and we were always greeted by beaming smiles and they were never in a rush for the lesson to finish!

I was only there for two weeks and I had to be realistic that I wasn't there to change the world but just to give a little bit of me in the hopes it may help in some small way. On one of the days we held a sports day - the children were paired up and had to work as a team to completed the course which were things like, egg & spoon race, sack race etc..... To see them work together, hear them giggle and see their smiles was so rewarding, basic things making them happy... that was the most rewarding part…it does make you question your own life though!

If you want to see a country and be part of the culture and community, see and experience things a tourist wouldn't, make life time friends and learn about yourself then this is for you!"

What did you find most challenging?
"The heat could be quite challenging making cycling quite exhausting. On my first day I under estimated how much I should drink and felt quite poorly. I would say to use every opportunity to have a drink of water, it really will help!"

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"Don't let your age or level of education put you off, there really is something for everyone to do and enjoy!"

Why did you choose PoD?
"The website was engaging, it made it easier knowing that Becky had been to the placement and could answer questions and advice based on her first-hand knowledge."

Julie - 2012

"I really enjoyed my time at the project, getting to know the children at the orphanage, they were all so lovely and wanted to spend time with the volunteers. It was great that you were able to choose to be involved in many different aspects of the project.
I thought that the project was very well run, and the fact that it is a community project, not just the orphanage means that it helps support so many local children, they have also recently introduced lessons to teach the local police English, so the project continues to grow.

A typical day would involve cycling to the orphanage in the morning, assisting with two of the English classes, going to the 'coffee lady' for coffee and noodles, and then cycling on to teach the Monks in the afternoon, aft which I would return to the orphanage to spend the some time with the children, then back to the orphanage for evening meal, and then would spend the evening on the veranda chatting to other volunteers!

I particularly enjoyed helping to teach English to the children at the orphanage, and also it was really rewarding spending time teaching English to the Monks as they were so keen to learn, and were such fun!

I had a really brilliant time, made some good friends, got to know people in the local community, spent time with the children, and had plenty of free time to explore Cambodia. I still miss it!!"

What did you find most challenging?
"I guess, when you get there you realise that what you do is such a small part of helping the project. But I came to the conclusion that if everyone did a little bit it would make an enormous difference."

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"Just go with an open mind, and be prepared to 'muck in' this project is not aimed at people who need to be told what to do, but it does give you many choices as you can choose what aspect of the project interests you, for example you may want to spend time at the rural schools, or spend all you time at the orphanage."

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"It’s a great opportunity to see another country, and not just be a sightseer, you feel as though you get to know the local people, and have an insight into their life, and in some small way you feel as you making a difference to the lives of the children, so the more people that volunteer the more their lives improve. I had a brilliant experience, and it has had a much more lasting impact than just going on holiday and seeing another country."

Why did you choose PoD?
"I really liked the PoD website, the Cambodia project was just what I was looking for, with plenty of opportunities to get involved in many different things. There was a lot of support from PoD from a friendly chat on the phone. Becky was particularly helpful as she had been to the project and was able to answer very specific questions. There was plenty of literature explaining everything about the project, and as a first time volunteer I really appreciated this support. I would have no hesitation in recommending PoD to friends and family."

Olivia - 2012

"Every moment of every day at the placement was wonderful, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about teaching and what I gave back to the community where I was living. I highly recommend it to anybody who has an enthusiasm for teaching and learning about rural living and culture it brings.

A typical day - I cycled to the police station where I taught some police officers from around 9-10, I then when back to the centre and ate breakfast with the other volunteers. I then went to one of the village schools at around 1 until 3 o clock to teach a few lessons with a handful of volunteers. I also taught one of the village schools teachers an hourly session a day. I also sometimes played with the children and the orphanage or taught some of the classes there."

What did you find most rewarding?
"Seeing nearly 250 children sing songs to you on entering the classroom! The Police officers we were teaching also prepared a small speech wishing us good luck on our travels and for the future, they also brought us gifts!"

What did you find most challenging?
"The travelling to the village schools! Some rural village schools demanded a half an hour cycle there and back, which was quite hard in the heat."

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"Living in a rural area you experience what other travellers do not, a true taste of life living in a community where very little amount of westerns live. Seeing the conditions of teaching and the children in general really makes you appreciate what a truly lucky and blessed life we lead. I've experienced things that other people may not be able to in their life time and has made me value things more."

Why did you choose PoD?
PoD seemed the most reasonably priced volunteering organisation I had come across"

Alice - 2012

"I had always wanted to volunteer in a developing country and I, knowing my own strengths, believed Orphanage and Community work to be more suitable than for example actual construction work. Teaching the children at Little Po Rural School was a fantastic experience. I will never forget their smiles, songs and general fun. They are so enthusiastic to learn which makes you extra motivated to teach! Teaching the Police was an experience too and they like to have a laugh with you which was nice! Just generally hanging around and playing with the children at the Orphanage was lovely, the children in the Orphanage are quite independent but once you really spend some time with them they will start asking you to play with them or asking can they do your hair!! Just by chatting to them will improve their English language abilities as it is always better to learn from a native speaker.

During my time there we had a Barbecue and a Talent Show and letting off of Chinese Lanterns, all of which the children loved! The real warmth in the children here in Takeo from the Orphanage, Rural Schools and random children saying hello to you while walking or cycling down the road is indescribable. And it really isn't just the children - everyone in Cambodia seems so genuine and warm!

On my first weekend here I actually went to Siem Reap to see the Angkor Temples with 4 other volunteers. Getting up at 4am was something different! The temples are great, while the weekend was in comparison to Takeo, expensive I don't think you can go to Cambodia and not see Angkor Wat! On my last weekend I went further south to Kampot just for a night to experience another different aspect of Cambodian life. This was definitely more of an ex-pat haunt but was great if you want some real nice Western food and a swim in the river! My last day at the Rural School Little Po and the Orphanage were both very emotional with tears as I knew I wanted to come back soon to see their smiling faces.

I left Monday afternoon on the bus up to Phnom Penh which took what felt like forever. I did all Phnom Penh sightseeing over the next two days from the Killing Fields, S21, Russian Market to the Royal Palace, National Museum and Wat Phnom to being asked did I have a boyfriend, husband and out to drinks with a Tuk Tuk Driver!

I can easily say this has been the best experience of my life and I genuinely wish to come back and see everybody again! Cambodia, Takeo, Little Po and the orphanage - you will be missed!"

Can you describe your volunteer role and daily life whilst at the placement?

"I spent four weeks in total in Takeo. During my first two weeks I went predominantly to the Rural School of Little Po which was beyond anything I had ever imagined really! I always went with other people to the school but I would teach my very own class every day Monday-Friday. It is a beautiful 30 minute cycle to the school that really even after 4 weeks did not get boring. The classes were in the afternoon so we set off around 1pm and got back around 4pm. Dinner isn't until half 6 so I would usually either go back to the house or to the Orphanage. After dinner it would be pretty dark so we would really just sit around on the Balcony, chatting about the day or playing cards, anything really. In the third week, I along with another girl took over teaching the Policemen English in the mornings just for an hour, 9am (the air-conditioning there is great). Teaching the policemen is such a different experience to teaching the children in the school. I must say they were both great in their own different ways. Unfortunately during my last week in Takeo, Cambodian schools were temporarily shut down due to a Childrens' Disease Scare. This meant I could not continue teaching the children at Little Po in the afternoons. Instead I then went to the Orphanage basically from 12pm (After Police, Breakfast, Shower and Powernap) until 6pm. While I didn't teach the children there as most I think were taking exams in their school in Takeo I just generally hung around with them and played Handball, Badminton, cards and the various random creative games they come up with! The children there are lovely and so fun!"

What would you say was most rewarding?

"I found teaching the children at Little Po the most rewarding as I really felt like I was helping them. It is most definitely a challenge but very much so worth it! Teaching them vocabulary and sentence structures was difficult but when you see that they really understand and are actively engaging with you it is such a great feeling. When I started I quickly noticed they were unable to tell the time so my main aim was this as I can remember my own primary school struggle with the time! I had come up with a simple boys vs. girls competition when teaching them the time and it was such a great feeling when on my last day they asked to play that specific game!"

What were the biggest challenges for you?

"While teaching English was most rewarding it was also highly challenging as I had never taught anything really in my life before! The language barrier when teaching was difficult so I would advise anyone who is thinking of doing this and teaching at the schools to come prepared even if a little bit! There are past volunteer teaching resources but this is lacking for the rural schools and I would not like to think that the children are learning the same things over and over again. If I was to go again I would come prepared with specific vocabulary or grammar or skills to teach the children. While there is wifi there and a photocopy shop it is still hard to prepare for lessons so I would have done more of this prior to going if I had really thought about it!

For the first two weeks I was completely unaffected by Mosquitos then I jinxed myself by proclaiming this to everybody proudly. Cue the next two weeks of being constantly bitten but luckily enough they did not itch too much.

Obviously seeing the poverty level is emotionally challenging as you want to be able to help everyone, to improve everyone's lives but you can't! I do think projects like this - that whilst having the Orphanage still also reach out to the community in terms of teaching local schools and police and even the monks English - are great. It should help the overall development of the area!"

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?

"I would advise to come prepared if you want to teach english to either the children, policemen or the monks! If you are teaching them something properly prepared and specific you will feel much more at ease and they will learn a lot more!"

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?

"This gives perspective to life and shows the Western way is not the only way and not necessarily the best way in all things in life! It may spark a desire to teach the less well off or to help in other ways. I am now more definite in my desire to further focus on developmental and human rights law issues."

Why did you choose PoD?

"My friend went with PoD to Tanzania last Summer and recommended the organisation. It seemed better value than other organisations and they seemed genuine and honest and willing to help. The fact they have a charity as well made me trust them more. I was going on my own so obviously I felt like I needed to go out with an organisation supporting me and helping me."

Jennifer - 2012

"I have never done any voluntary work like this abroad, I decided to give it a go as I wanted to just 'do something different'. However as the time to start got nearer and nearer I got more and more nervous! I had all the info, booklets, internet research and chats with Becky but when I thought about it, I really didn't know what to expect or how I would react when I got there. Maybe I would just hate it there altogether, maybe I would be of no use and wouldn't be able to actually do anything of value maybe I wouldn't fit in with the other people there and worst of all, if all these fears came true, I'd be stuck there for the 4 weeks I'd already signed myself up for... It's now been two weeks since I left the project, having stayed six weeks instead of the four I had planned to do. If I hadn't already got flights booked I'm sure I'd have stayed a lot longer. I am now missing it more than I ever could have imagined and I look back on how I felt before I went and wonder what I was making such a fuss about. This is without question the best experience I have ever had and will be returning as soon as possible.

I don't know what it was that made the experience so important to me. It could be Takeo itself, which is such a unique place that so swiftly feels like home. It could be all the other volunteers you get to meet while you are there, so quickly and easily forming friendships and bonds through this shared experience. Maybe it was the fact that I got a real sense of satisfaction that I challenged myself, teaching my own classes despite my total lack of experience and confidence that I'd be able to do it. Or it could be the amazing children you get to meet and spend time with every day. Whatever the reason, there is something very special about this project. I may have left for now but the project has not left me and I'm sure it will be part of my life for many years to come.

A typical day here really can be whatever you want it to be. There are so many places you can make a difference and so many things you can get involved in. This is a place where you are very much in charge of what you do and how you do it. You can go out to the village schools that desperately need volunteers to help teach the hundreds of children there, you can spend lots of time at the orphanage, playing games, teaching English classes or just chatting with the kids. Plus there always seems to be extra things going on, like helping to teach English to the local Police or Monks, painting classrooms or digging in the farm. It took me around a week to feel properly settled, I'm the sort of person who likes structure and routine so wanted to get that for myself as quickly as possible!

Before I arrived I was pretty certain that I wasn't going to do any actual teaching, having zero experience in this field! My plan was to be more an assistant to someone else! A typical day for me was to get up early as myself and another girl were taking the Police classes at 9am. This was such a great experience, definitely challenging but so much fun working with these officers who so badly want to improve their language skills and are so grateful that you are giving up your time to help them. After that we'd get breakfast either at the volunteer centre or head to the market if you fancy rice and meat for brekkie!

Then I'd head down to the orphanage as I had a class to teach there at 11.45 and another at 1pm... So much for not doing any teaching! Once classes there were over I'd generally head back to the volunteer centre (via the fantastic fruit shake stall!) to do some work on lesson planning or research. Having zero teaching experience doesn't mean that you can't teach. I probably know more now about grammar, tenses and vocabulary than I ever did before; you just have to put the time in to read up on it all. There are also loads of resources available at the centre, files of information are there for you to help you plan out your own lessons. This was put together by a volunteer who was there at the same time as me and is such a useful tool which everyone can add to.

Id generally then head back down to the orphanage again at about 4:30, most of the kids are back from school then so it's a great time to just hang out, play games and talk to the kids. Most of the other volunteers who had been teaching at village schools would also go to the orphanage around then too so there were always something going on. Then we'd head back to the centre for dinner with all the volunteers, food was always good!
Most evenings were generally spent all sitting out on the balcony, talking rubbish, playing cards and having a few drinks. It was a great time to get to know the other volunteers and chill out. We had a few trips to the local karaoke which was always a great night!

You can also use the weekends to see other parts of Cambodia, you are bound to meet others who want to visit places you want to go to so you really can make the most of the time you have there. I did trips with other volunteers to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh all during my placement, so feel like I also got to do the tourist bit in Cambodia.

This is definitely a project where you can do as much or as little as you like. My advice though would be to get involved in as much as you can, it’s so much more rewarding and it helps give you a sense of purpose. I'm a person who likes structure and routine so found it took me about a week to find my feet."

What did you find most rewarding?
"I'm so surprised to say this but I found the teaching the most rewarding thing. Probably in part because it’s something I never thought I'd be able to do but also because it meant spending more time with the children at the orphanage. You really feel like you are making some contribution to their education, even for that short time you are there. I never thought I'd be so excited that the children had learned a new word or finally understood a difficult grammatical rule, but I was! It was the same feeling with the Police. I really felt like I was doing something of value. It made all the time I spent reading up on grammar worthwhile!"

What did you find most challenging?
"There are lots of challenges but that is another reason why I enjoyed the project so much. I think the biggest challenge is finding your purpose while you are there. Nobody will tell you where you should go for the day, what you should teach or how to do it. You have to be proactive in figuring this out for yourself. There’s always other volunteers there though, so put the effort in and talk to them. See where they go every day, ask to go with them while you are figuring out what your routine is going to be and if you see something that you think needs doing, just do it!
The other challenge is understanding that you are only there for a short time. You can do as much as you can whilst you are there but you can't change the whole world. Just get involved in as much as you can while you are there and know that you are contributing to the bits that you can influence, don't think about the stuff you can't change.
Then of course there is the challenge of leaving, which I myself am still struggling with. No matter how hard I tried not to, you can't help but build some form of bond with the kids. When I left, I thought all the time about what they might be learning in their lessons now, who was teaching them, how the kids are doing, where will they end up in the future. There is however a very strong community of ex-volunteers, many of whom return again and again. You can always get involved in fund raising so you can continue to contribute. And you can, as I am sure I will, return again as soon as possible."

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"Don't hesitate, just go! When you get there, be proactive, this project will only be as good for you as you make it."

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"You can make a contribution, however small. It can feel frustrating that you can't change everything all at once or even at all. But there is so much you can influence, concentrate on those things and you will know that you have achieved something and had a positive impact on another community."

Why did you choose PoD?
"I wanted to know I was going to a project that was reputable. I'd heard lots of stories about dodgy orphanages and scams so I didn't want to go somewhere that wasn't genuinely supporting its community. I also knew that by PoD being a non-profit organisation, I was able to contribute more than just my time, I was also contributing extra funding to the project through my fee."

Tania - 2012

“Cambodia is such a beautiful country overall. Having arrived in Takeo with very nice people everywhere you turned I felt welcome and comfortable. I feel very grateful and have had a humbling experience to have taught the kids at the orphanage and being able to play some outdoor games with them, teaching English to Monks at the Pagoda and help out at Ben Mao rural School whilst my stay at Takeo. I've also had some time to see other parts of Cambodia and had really cherished every moment of it. You can sure hope to visit a town full of lovely, local people, local traditional markets, many exotic fruits (yum), delicious fruit shakes and you must try ice coffee (even if you don't drink coffee-its great). Everything is very affordable-which is great, you may even see an elephant on the road (I did!), and almost everyone in Cambodia seems to cycle-which extra great, although roads can be quite busy with fast drivers and motor vehicles-you just have to be very careful and cautious.

I tended to wake up early morning (due to the heat) and would head to the Pagoda to teach Monks from ages 15-25 in one class and in different levels. I would teach them all conversational English and basic level English (with help from teaching resources provided), then I would go to the Orphanage for my 4'oclock class where I would teach beginner level kids various topics in English and teach them some common school songs (which they enjoyed!) and read them story books - allowing them to join in and read some lines too. Other days I would visit a local rural school called Ben Mao, helping to assist their school teacher and help with some basic level English too. They really enjoyed the extra help and being able to meet people from other countries as I did too.

My most rewarding experience was definitely being able to give hope to many people at the projects I was involved in, by being able to teach them. I am so very grateful for that as I have also met very interesting and humbling people along the way.

Some of the challenging moments may have been the first few nights, where I missed my family too much, the heat, mosquitos (at night) - as expected and I think that's it!

I'm usually used to things running on time and being in a structured field of work-so I had to get used to flexibility and being thrown into preparing for a class without much or any structure. At one point I had to improvise on the spot (which I didn't know I had to do) which was hilarious and nerve racking but managed - Thank goodness!”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“Just enjoy it, be grateful, respect the Cambodian way of life-as you should and stay safe.”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“Being able to volunteer abroad and having the chance to - it is such a rewarding thing to do. It also makes you feel more aware of the things around you, you learn more than you would ever think, you get to meet people you never thought you would get the chance to (I met monks - amazing), you get a better understanding of other people's way of living, you become wiser and of course not forgetting the independence and rational manner you gain.”

Why did you choose PoD?
“PoD is incredibly organised, very quick to answer to any of your queries or even simple questions you may want answered. The information to any project you want to do is very clear, understandable and Becky is great!”

Naomi - 2012

“This project was amazing! Everything from start to finish was so organised. The accommodation was basic but nice and the people there are so nice. Usually we taught at a rural school in the daytime - about 8km away teaching English and then would pop down and play with the kids at the orphanage in the afternoon. Because there were so many volunteers I found the orphanage was quite full with people so I didn't feel very useful which is why a few of us tended to go down and teach in the schools in the day time instead. Because there were lots of volunteers there when I was there we spread ourselves out between schools, police, monks and teaching lessons at the orphanage. We were able to take weekends off and travel up to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh which was brilliant. Breakfast was included in the placement as well as tea which was cooked by the staff there and for lunch you could go down to the market or local noodle stalls and get noodles and an ice coffee for about a dollar! I would recommend this trip to anyone; it's an experience I'm NEVER going to forget!”

What did you find most rewarding and most challenging?
“I LOVED the school - Little Po. The children were so grateful and appreciative and so keen to learn!
The heat was a challenge to be honest! You don't realise how exhausting it is just walking in the heat! The days seemed quite long as well - full of teaching and playing with the orphanage kids and the odd trip to karaoke!”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“DO THIS PLACEMENT! It's so rewarding and so much fun and you'll meet some brilliant people along the way! Volunteering abroad gives you opportunities you don't have in your home country. It's so rewarding and the people really appreciate your help!”

Why did you choose PoD?
“PoD was very organised and seemed a very reputable company. They are non-profit and much cheaper than many other companies that do the same thing!”

Tess - 2012

“I had the most amazing time volunteering at the orphanage in Cambodia, it was such a once in a lifetime experience. As I was travelling alone I felt quite nervous about the other people volunteering, but I really had nothing to worry about! The project and the volunteer centre is such a big happy family and you really feel part of it. There is such a variety of people volunteering and the people working at the orphanage and volunteer centre are so friendly and helpful. It's a very chilled out project but that made it all the better as it gave you time to experience everything, and include trips to the beach and Phnom Penh on the weekends. It was also such a joy to hear about other people’s experiences from years ago, the kids really have a hold on you which draws people back again and again. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to get a real insight and involved in everyday Cambodian life.

I was involved at one of the schools just outside the town of Takeo where the orphanage is located, this meant cycling out to the village early afternoon and teaching a class at Little Po school for a couple of hours in the week days. Before visiting the orphanage in the afternoon. However it really is a relaxed project which gives you the option to get as involved as you like - which is probably why many people find it so hard to leave!”

What did you find most rewarding?
“Definitely teaching my class at Little Po School, the kids were amazing and I got to know them all so well. I'd never done any teaching before so was very nervous at the beginning, but I soon got to understand the kids and what they needed help with. It was such a genuine and intimate experience and one I’ll never forget!”

What did you find most challenging?
“Leaving! It was so sad to say goodbye to all the kids and people I'd built up a bond with over the few weeks that I was there, but I'd definitely like to go back.”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“Definitely go for it! But don't build up too many expectations, I'd thought a lot about what it would be like, but it was quite different when I arrived which made me panic at first, but it turned out so much better than what I'd imagined!”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“If you're travelling alone it's a great thing to do, as you still get to see a lot of the country, but there's always people around who you build up friendships with so easily.”

Why did you choose PoD?
“It seemed like an extremely honest organisation, and I loved how genuine and relaxed the projects were, it made it such an unforgettable experience.”

Vicky - 2012

"I had booked my placement well in advance and had spent months looking forward to it, but this didn't stop me feeling nervous as my departure date drew closer! I had never travelled alone - let alone been to South East Asia!! I’d also never volunteered before and so I was apprehensive of what was expected of me. The girls at PoD continually reassured me which helped sooo much and it was also reassuring that Becky from PoD put me contact with another volunteer that was doing the same placement at the same time. It was great that I was already speaking with someone that was going to be there.

On arrival in Cambodia I was met by my taxi man that was already waiting for me and the following day I was transferred and arrived at my placement in Takeo. I was shown my accommodation then was then taken straight to meet the children at the orphanage - this is where I also met other volunteers (it was great to hear a language that I understood...!) It really was an eye opener to the cultural differences, but within days I had found my way about, met other volunteers, found my feet and decided what I wanted to do for the following 8 weeks. My 2nd day there I went up to the rural village that was about 3km away and there I met all the children in the village school (a small hut). Instant tears were in my eyes and was overcome with not only how little they had but how happy and welcoming they were. I thought I’d be there to help other volunteers with teaching English but I was given my OWN class, this is where I fell in love with country and the people but most of all the children that I spent so much time with... I would recommend this to anyone!!! It was truly an amazing experience...

my typical day at the project would be breakfast, then either cycle down to the local market to buy bits and bob's or to sit and organise the next lesson that I had to plan for that day, after lunch I’d then cycle to the village that was about 3km away (this could be very challenging at times as the route to school was dusty and extremely hot and most of the other traffic was livestock!). The volunteers would get to school for 1pm have a small assembly then you would group off to your own classes, my class and I would sit under the trees for shade next to pagoda. We had a break at around 2.30 when all the volunteers would met up for an ice coffee (best ice coffee in Cambodia) and at 4pm we would start our cycle back to the centre. In the evening you had a choice of what you wanted to do... beers on the balcony!! Prepare lessons or mark home work!! Go down to the orphanage and play with children... dinner was served around 6.30 were consist of Cambodian or western food and after dinner we'd all sit and chat about our day until going to bed.

It’s truly an amazing experience!! Life changing to say the least.. it makes you realise just how good we have it in the western world and what we take for granted, its only on my return home that you really appreciate what we have."

What did you find most rewarding and challenging?
"Although teaching the kids is what I found most challenging it was also the most rewarding thing ever!!! I wasn’t prepared to teach the kids and it really took me out my comfort zone, but with the help of other volunteers and guidance from the Khmer teacher (of which I must add was totally amazing) and obviously encouragement from the children I found my feet and really enjoyed what I was doing, The kids just wanted to learn more and more, they were so enthusiastic and grateful, and surprisingly the kids taught me just as much but in different aspects.. Also seeing the gratitude from the Khmer teacher and families that live in the village, they were all so appreciative of the volunteers’ work and time and commitment."

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"It’s normal to feel nervous and apprehensive but seriously, there is no need!!! The people at the other end really take you under their wing... to go prepared and have resources available to teach the kids, you can’t depend on what’s donated as things get used so quickly. Take lots of mosquito repellent and use the weekends to explore the rest of Cambodia!"

Why did you choose PoD?
"They were a non-profit organisation!! The website was fantastic and explained everything I needed to know, I had continual support before leaving for my placement and whilst I was out in Cambodia… I felt as if I knew Becky although I’ve never met her... Thanks Becky and the rest of the PoD team, you do a fantastic job here in England and the efforts you put in around the world!!"

Mari - 2012

"Go for it - just immerse yourself totally into Cambodian life!

I loved my time in Takeo! Especially teaching at the rural schools, the children are the best kids in the world and I would not have missed it for anything. Go to the market for lunch and head to behind meat section to a lady always wearing a pink hat - best noodles and bean sprout omelette in town! I would recommend to anyone! I truly hope to return before the end of my Asia trip - that’s how much it affected me!

The most rewarding part was teaching and playing with the children at the rural schools. Little Po was a few miles away and I had 70 children in my class!

The most challenging of all was saying goodbye after 6 weeks, it truly tore me apart!

I love love loved it!"

Why did you choose PoD?
"Becky and Beth were both so friendly and helpful - thanks guys!"

Helen - 2011

“I loved the experience and the location, the gentle, smiling people and the flat quiet roads that were a delight to cycle on.”

Faye - 2011

Please describe a typical day at the project, and the most rewarding and challenging aspects:
"A typical day at this project would start with breakfast at the accommodation or even better a bike ride to the market for breakfast, this often proved to be a little adventure in itself. I can recommend the yummy coconut waffles and iced coffee from the ladies at the market. I would then pick up any supplies from the market needed for any arts and craft activities or English lessons. I also did lesson plans for the beginner classes held in the afternoon at the Orphanage. I would usually get to the Orphanage around 12 noon and spend time with the children doing arts & craft activities, playing sports and games and then teach two beginner level English classes late afternoon. I also helped out with some of the projects other volunteers were doing like building and vanishing a new fence around the pond.
Personally I found teaching English to the kids the most rewarding. I tried to make the lessons enjoyable by using fun activities and games. It was great to see their progress in just a couple of weeks. The heat was most definitely challenging for everyone!"

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"This placement offers an authentic volunteering experience in South East Asia. Go with an open mind and the more you get involved the more you get out of it."

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"Volunteering abroad gives you an insight into a completely different culture and people. You can give some of your time and skills to a project and come away with some amazing and rewarding experiences, friendships and a broader view of life."

Why did you choose PoD?
"This volunteer placement was the first one I have done. Out of all the volunteer organisations I looked at, I found PoD the most personable, good value, flexible and very knowledgeable about all its projects."

Rida - 2011

"It's not something you can really explain to people, but if I had to put into words then I'd say it's an experience that should be required from everyone because it really does put things in perspective and is impossible to escape the reality of such simply amazing characters that will invariably capture your heart and have you planning your next trip back before the first one is even over! I was there for 2 weeks and regret not being able to stay longer but as mentioned above am already planning my return. There is something magical about the country, people and children at the orphanage. The routine never got dull and every minute spent in 45 degree weather, often in the sun was eagerly awaited by the next day."

Please describe a typical day at the project
"It is quite laid back with a loose plan that most abide by, mainly focused around the schedule of the kids. Volunteers wake between 7-10am (give or take), and have their breakfast. Often we bike to the market for an ice coffee (yummy) and anything else you may need, then bike down to the orphanage, usually arriving around 11:30. This is when most kids come back from the first half of their school. There are usually plenty of things to do from small building projects to teaching English or just playing with the kids. We usually stay until 5:30pm so we can bike back before it gets dark. You can come and go as you please and make your own schedule but most volunteers enjoy themselves so much they tend to stay on the premises majority of the day."

What did you find most rewarding?
"The children, I never expected them to be that AWESOME!"

What advice do you have for other volunteers?
"You also need to be resourceful and willing to throw yourself into things and will find that you ease in quicker than expected."

Why did you choose PoD?
I was happy with Becky from the PoD office. I found them helpful, efficient and quick with replies.

Roberta - 2011

"It is a great way to see Cambodia and I probably would never have gone without the support of PoD. It has been a better experience better than I expected, people in Cambodia are so friendly, and it has a great feel about it. My view on Asia has changed a lot, so much so that I am now travelling through Vietnam! Children at the orphanage are amazing and are used to meeting different people every day. While I was there I taught English, and I’m not a teacher. We took the kids out for a day to the beach, which was 3 mini buses - 69 of us all together. Their faces were a pleasure to see on our 3 hour journey to get there. I certainly wouldn’t take that many UK kids out for a day but they were so well behaved - beautiful memories. Whilst I was there the group erected a new fence around the lake area, we cleaned up the first aid room, and Jackie, a nurse attempted to give them a lesson in basic first aid, which everyone took great notice of. Also we redecorated the salon, which made it look lot brighter, so I think our time there made a great difference. Certainly would love to go back and see the kids again. Only down side would be to say that you do get a lot of volunteers there, at certain times I guess - but we did have a good group. Also I had a great afternoon going out to visit one of the little rural schools, that is a must and I wish I had done that more often."

What advice do you have for future volunteers?
"I would prepare for lessons, as not much happening in the mornings. I took my class at 12.00 for 45 mins. Also do other things around the orphanage that needed doing, even help the staff learn English; the cooks and Soa the gardener are amazing people also willing to learn.
Be prepared to take thin clothes it is roasting! Most importantly remember you are only visiting you cannot change things, only improve surroundings - you will be gone when the kids still carry on."

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
"I went with PoD last year to Peru and enjoyed my experience, I think this one in Cambodia has been even more memorable! If you really want to travel and you are single especially it is ideal, you will love the experience."

Aine - 2011

"My friend and I travelled to the orphanage for 16 days and loved every minute of it. The whole experience is overwhelming and you don't truly appreciate it until you come home and you realise how much you miss it. The children are so sweet and are so interested in everything about you. Everyone is so kind and helpful, and thankful for everything you do for them. I would recommend it to anyone.
The project is very easy going, a typical day for me consisted of cycling to the orphanage in the morning at around 10am, cycling back to the centre for lunch, going and teaching the monks at 1pm, then back to the orphanage for 2 to teach some of the older boys. I grew so close to them and really miss them."

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"It is so worthwhile and so beneficial, definitely do it!"

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"It is so rewarding and makes you appreciate everything you have."

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
"Because they had great reviews and I would definitely recommend them!"

Andrew - 2011

“My experience at the orphanage has given me an insight into my own career direction and a positive take on my own life.”

What did you find most rewarding?
“Teaching English to the monks at the local school. They were so eager to learn and really appeared to absorb everything. Their progress was amazing and with a few months and some careful planning of syllabus, their English skills would develop exponentially.”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“It is great in the sense that you have the liberty to teach the children whatever it is you like. You can do any kind of activities you like with them, provided they are interested. It is great to have the freedom to teach them spontaneously without any text books or directions.”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“The staff are very helpful and friendly.”

Edward - 2011

“This was my first experience of volunteering and my first experience of travelling of this kind. It was therefore very important to me to have the support of a professional organisation like PoD. The information and support provided by PoD was excellent and put my mind at ease. The project itself was wonderful - a brilliant opportunity to see the 'real Cambodia' based in the rural provincial town of Takeo. The project was very varied with options for teaching and playing with the kids at the orphanage, teaching the monks and students at 'monk school' and helping out at Little Po, the rural primary school about an easy 45minute bike ride from the project centre. The accommodation was very good and the food provided there ranging from average to very good. The facilities at the project centre where we stayed were pretty good with for example internet access via the laptops used for teaching the kids. Volunteers were coming and going all the time, some staying for two or three weeks and others for a few days. Not only PoD volunteers visited the centre, and there were at times up to between 6 and 12 volunteers at any one time (although it really did vary).”

“This was an excellent opportunity to meet new people and everyone was very friendly. Some of us also took the opportunity of doing some sightseeing whilst in Cambodia, heading to Siem Reap and the incredible temples at Angkor to the north (about an 8 hr coach ride via Phnom Penh but don't let this put you off and it was very straightforward and the air conditioned coach very comfortable). This is a must see for anyone visiting the country - Angkor Wat is touted by many as the Eighth Wonder of the World. We also visited the coast at Kep to the south. These weekend breaks really helped to break up the stay and ensured that we came back to the centre energised and motivated for more teaching and helping out at the project.”

“I made a number of great new friends, visited the most incredible places (particularly Seim Reap and Angkor), met the most wonderful kids (at the orphanage and school), the Cambodian people were so welcoming and beautiful, and the teaching satisfying and lots of fun. I can really recommend this project.”

Please describe a typical day at the project
“I'd get up around 9:30am and head downstairs to have some breakfast. This would usually consist of some bread, butter and marmalade, a boiled egg or two and some fruit. I'd then check my emails using one of the laptops in the computer area. I'd buy some water from the shop at the centre (a 2 litre bottle costs about 40p) to make sure I stay hydrated throughout the day. Between 10:30am and 11:30am, I'd take my first lesson which was a computer class with some of the kids from the orphanage. We'd teach them for about 45 minutes and the last 15 minutes or so would be for the kids to use Facebook as a reward for their attention (all the kids seem to have a Facebook account!). After the lesson I'd sit down in the lounge area at the centre and plan the daily English grammar class I take with the monks and students. Around 12pm we'd have some lunch at the centre (sometimes rice, meat and vegetables, sometimes a fried egg and noodles and occasionally fish or burger and chips). Two or three of us would then cycle off to the school buildings in the town to teach the monks and students at 'monk school'. It’s only about a 10-15minute bike ride away and we use one of the many bicycles kept around the back of the centre. We'd cycle to the school via a photocopy shop we found to print off hand out sheets and written exercises from the English grammar book we are using from the project centre. The class with the monks and students lasts around 1 to 1.5 hours. The students are technically very good at writing English and we encourage them to take in turns to read the grammar notes from the worksheets at the start of the lesson. After monk school, I cycle to the orphanage for a 2:30pm class I have with two or three of the older boys (it's about 10minutes from the school). The boys are going to university in Phnom Penh next year and I am teaching them English, mainly from the English grammar book they have but also introducing lessons of my own such as letter, story and CV writing. After the class I sometimes play football or volley ball with the kids (most of them are very good indeed!). I then head back to the centre by about 5pm and have a short nap in my room before dinner. Dinner is normally served around 7pm. It is usually very good - generally rice, fried meat and vegetables (there is always a vegetarian option available too), washed down by a soft drink or beer that can be bought for very little expense at the in house shop in the centre. After dinner I check my emails again and maybe do some internet surfing. Sometimes several of us then take the bikes out and cycle into town for an 'ice cream run' at one of the petrol filling stations in the main town. Typically, I would read and chat with the other volunteers in the lounge or on the balcony upstairs. A couple of evenings we headed into town for some karaoke (you hire a small private room for the group and can sing until your heart's content), accompanied by a couple of the resident tuck tuk drivers from the centre. Cambodians seem to be karaoke mad! Then it’s headed to bed, maybe doing some more reading or watching a little TV in my room (mostly Premiership football which seems to be on the tv 24-7!). Lights out and fan on (a must to keep cool at night), some sleep and then getting up to do it all over again.”

What did you find most rewarding?
“Meeting and making friends with the other volunteers; teaching and spending time with the kids at the orphanage; teaching the monks and students at 'monk school', sightseeing whilst we were in Cambodia (particularly Siem Reap and the temples at Angkor); the beautiful countryside; and beautiful Cambodian people.”

What did you find most challenging?
“The hot humid weather (I stayed during the wet season) was tough as were the insects!”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“It was suggested that volunteers bring paper, pens and crayons for the kids when they come over. However, if you are volunteer who is serious about teaching then it would be a much better idea to bring a couple of resource books to work and plan lessons from - basic to medium level English, English grammar or maths would be ideal.”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“It changes your perspective of life hugely and is an unrivalled opportunity to meet new people and have new life changing experiences.”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“Extremely well organised, thorough planning, lots of carefully thought out and useful information and excellent support (both before and during the stay).”

David and Emma - 2011

“We had a fantastic time at orphanage and we really enjoyed the relaxed nature of the project. We were able to lend a hand where we felt we could be most helpful and we weren't pressured into doing anything. Their schedule is very flexible and a lot of time is spent playing with, talking to and getting to know the children and you learn as much from them as they do from you! You were made to feel like an important part of running the orphanage and not just 'another volunteer' as although you are not forced into doing anything the kids grab your hand and take you round the moment you arrive. The staff were very helpful and friendly, (they don't seem like staff after the first day) and we were made to feel at home in the big house straight away, but most of all it is the children that make your time so memorable and make it so difficult to leave. We haven't spoken to one volunteer who isn't planning to go back!”

Please describe a typical day at the project
“Get up whenever you want. Have breakfast or lunch depending on what time it is. Get down to the orphanage on your bike or on the tuk-tuk. Play games, chat, play football, chase the kids round the soft play area, make things, or enjoy the girls' take on a makeover! Teach lessons (if you are assigned some) and head back for tea exhausted around 6.30 looking forward to tomorrow. Have tea and then relax on the balcony or watch a film or two with the other volunteers. There are opportunities to also teach at the village schools during the day which is very rewarding.”

What did you find most rewarding?
“Forming a meaningful relationship with some of the children and teaching them something and then coming back the next day with them eager to impress you with what they've learned.”

What did you find most challenging?
“The harrowing nature of some of the children's stories.”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“Do it!”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“Because you get to help a country whilst enjoying its fruits.”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“It is a non-profit and reputable organisation- I.E not making inordinate amounts of money out of needy children and gap yahs.”

Any other comments?
“Thanks we would not have found the orphanage without PoD and there are a lot of bogus orphanages and such that people need help avoiding.”

Lois - 2011

Please describe a typical day at the project
“Morning is fairly relaxed, can visit local schools around 11:30am, visit English school around 13.00pm and then spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at the orphanage.”

What did you find most rewarding?
“Working with the children at the orphanage and with the monks at the English school. Communicating with the members of the community.”

What did you find most challenging?
“The heat. Once you adjust to it though then it’s fantastic.”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“Removes you from your comfort zone. Gives you a chance to experience different cultures and customs.”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“I chose PoD because they were able to arrange my placement in a short time frame. Other volunteering organisations I looked at required you to apply up to 3 months in advance.”

Megan - 2011

“This was the best and most influential trip I have ever made, I discovered new things about myself and also a new part of the world i knew nothing about. When I first arrived in Cambodia I struggled with the heat, when first walking out the airport I thought there was heaters blowing on me! However I got used to this quickly as there was no getting out of it and 4 cold showers a day helped! I never thought I would have the confidence to teach and control a class of 130 kids at the local village school and was suprised at how much I enjoyed it.

When originally applying for the project I thought I would be spending every day at the orphanage but was pleasantly surprised that I had the freedom and choice to go to the village school, monk school or the orphanage and also having free time to travel, go out for meals and visit the local market. The social aspect of my trip greatly changed me as a person; I was worried about starting uni a few weeks after my trip as I am a quiet person but I ended up being the first volunteer to introduce myself to everyone and quickly settled in. Karaoke in Cambodia was also a great experience and one unlike any other I’ve ever had! I suprised myself in grabbing the mic the moment we got into the room and singing and dancing all night!! Overall my Cambodia experience was life changing, fulfilling and incredible. I will definitely be returning to Takeo and am already trying to get friends to share my experience next year! And I’ll definitely be going for at least a month then, two weeks wasn’t enough!”

Please describe a typical day at the project
“I went to Little Po setting off at 11.30am or sometimes helped with computer classes from 10am. We taught English to the teacher at Little Po for one hour and then taught the children English for an hour before returning to the centre at about 2.30. We would then get on our bikes and go to the orphanage, visiting noodle lady on the way for lunch and coffee :). We would play games with the kids and make bracelets and we stayed there until about 6/6.30pm. Tea was served at 7pm at the centre after which we would relax on the balcony with the laptops and each others company, or on the odd saturday and wednesday we would venture to karaoke at 9.30pm which was fantastic!”

What did you find most rewarding?
“The children giving me friendship bracelets at the orphanage and the children at Little Po drawing pictures asking us to teach them english and not to forget them.”

What did you find most challenging?
“Learning the names of all the kids!”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“Take things for the kids and school such as exercise books, colouring books, pens, pencils, water balloons and any other small gadgets they would enjoy. You don’t need as much stuff as you think you need! 20kg is plenty. Don’t be fussy about dirt or you will end up being hungry and unhappy, be experimental with food, I wasn’t very and I wish I had.”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“It’s the most rewarding experience that I’ve ever had and it would take something amazing to beat it. You can see how happy the people and children are and discover a new culture where people are poor but happy with what they have.”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“PoD was the cheapest company I found and gave me a lot of information straight away before signing up. I would recomend PoD to volunteers travelling for the first time.”

Raichel - 2011

“I spent two fantastic weeks in Cambodia - teaching English at the orphanage and a rural school as well as just hanging out and playing with the kids. It's amazing how quickly you can form an attachment to the children, which makes leaving pretty emotional. I also managed to find time to visit the temples and night market at Siem Reap and to understand the horror of Cambodia's recent past at the Killing Fields and S21. Karaoke in the local town is also an essential part of the experience! It feels like I was there for months not just a fortnight - highly recommended.”

Please describe a typical day at the project
“Skip breakfast to head out to the local market for a sugar can drink and fresh cake. Head out to Little Po, one of the rural schools, to spend an hour teaching English to the teacher and then an hour teaching English to the class of approx. 140 children! Back to Takeo - a quick stop at the noodle lady for a much needed cold drink and yummy noodles before going to the orphanage. Take your English class; chill with the kids; play footie, tag, skipping, cards etc. Leave orphanage about 6.30 to head back to the volunteer centre for dinner. Watch a film; go to karaoke, play cards etc with the other volunteers or teaching English to the staff.”

What did you find most rewarding?
“Taking my English class at the orphanage.”

What did you find most challenging?
“Using the squat toilets at the karaoke bar!”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“Go with an open mind and an open heart.”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“It's really rewarding - gives you a better view on life through the eyes of other cultures and makes you really appreciate the smaller things in life.”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“Sheer luck and yes definitely!”

Rosie - 2011

“I had an amazing time on the project! There is so much to get involved with, the project really is whatever you make of it. I personally got really involved with teaching English in the rural schools and to Monks in the local Pagoda, but while I was there other volunteers focused more on the orphanage, playing sports and games etc. The placement is based in Takeo, which is a really rural area and is definitely the "real" Cambodia: there's no tourism there. In fact, the orphanage is the only thing that brings people from outside Cambodia into Takeo. Whilst the project is advertised as a "Cambodian Orphanage Project", I think really it should be advertised as "Takeo Community Project", as that really is what the project has become. The placement is brilliant and I would definitely recommend it!”

Please describe a typical day at the project
“Get up about 8.30, have breakfast, either plan a lesson or go to the market, leave at 11.30 to go to Little Po school, give a one-on-one English lesson to the teacher at Little Po at 12.00, then at 13:00 teach English with the Little Po teacher to 150 students aged 5-15. Leave the school at 14.15, get to the noodle lady next-door to the orphanage at 14.45, have noodles and an iced coffee, then head off to the orphanage until about 18.30. After that, cycle back to the volunteer house, have dinner, then play pool or chill out on the balcony till bedtime!”

What did you find most rewarding?
“Teaching English at Little Po. Whilst I was only there a couple of weeks, I am so proud that I played a small part in potentially giving the children a better future.”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“Go for at least 4 weeks. I only went for 3, and I wish I stayed longer! There is so much to get involved with and do, you really need at least a month to get the most out of it.”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“There are so many reasons! There is so much of yourself that you can give that can really make a difference to other people, there';s so much that you learn about yourself while you are volunteer, and you can learn so much from the other people that you are working with while you are out there.”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“As my fist time travelling on my own, I wanted the security of knowing that I was going to be picked up from the airport, that I was going to be put up in a house and that I was going to be living and working with other volunteers. When choosing an organisation to go with I looked at so many different ones, and so many of them were absolutely extortionate. PoD appealed because it seemed very genuine. The fee I paid covered my food and meals, plus a donation to the project to keep it going. I would recommend PoD to someone who is going abroad with the sole purpose of volunteering, rather than someone who is going travelling who wants to do a little bit of volunteering whilst they are out there, as someone doing that will be able to just stumble across a project while they are away and they won;'t have to pay to volunteer. I don't think i'd go through a volunteer organisation again, because now I think that I would have the confidence to fly out somewhere on my own and then to just find a project while i'm out there. For this trip, however, I am very glad that I went through PoD.”

Any other comments?
“I had a wonderful time, without PoD I would never have found this amazing project. Thank-you for an incredible 3 weeks, I wish I booked the trip for longer!”

Haniah - 2011

"It was absolutely amazing. Lots of things to do, either volunteering at one of the village schools are just hanging out with the kids at the orphanage or teaching the kids at the orphanage. You need to have confidence and just get stuck in, especially when it comes to teaching as pretty much all of the kids rely on volunteers to teach them English. Might seem a bit nerve-wracking at first, but it's actually really quite easy, it's just the initial feeling of nervousness. The kids are amazing, really friendly, really easy to get on with. If you go, take a pack of cards, they love to see magic tricks and new card games."

Please describe a typical day at the project
"Wake up in the morning, have breakfast, perhaps go to the market and get something outdoor-y to play with, eg skipping rope or something. Then head over to the orphanage and hang out with the kids or help out at the 12, 1.30, 2.30 or 3.30 class. Play games with the kids until you want to head back for dinner. Then hang out with the other volunteers in the evening, perhaps watch a movie. Head off to bed. Or during the early afternoon head off the village school and then go to the orphange after classes have finished."

What did you find most rewarding?
"Teaching English to the kids."

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
"Get stuck in."

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
"It is amazing, and you realise how much people have in England, and what people take for granted."

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
"I chose PoD because it seemed really friendly, had good reviews and yes I would recommend it to others."

Julie - 2011

"I had a fantastic time on this project and met some lovely volunteers (mostly people travelling through Asia). The kids were great and inspiring. Almost all of them speak some English so communication is not a problem. The town is a great place in which to experience the real non-touristy Cambodia - there are few Westerners and local children will constantly call out 'hello' as you cycle along the streets. I'd love to go back one day!"

Please describe a typical day at the project
"Some mornings we went to do English conversation practice with some local monks. Midday at the orphanage to help with English lesson etc, then back to the house/market for lunch. Afternoon to early evening with the children, then dinner at the house, evenings chatting with a beer or two maybe!"

What did you find most rewarding?
"Teaching English to the children."

What did you find most challenging?
"Nothing in particular. The heat sometimes!"

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
"I was impressed with the range of placements and reasonable costs. I would recommend them!"

Mercedes - 2010

“When I arrived at Cambodia, my case had been left by the flight people in Bangkok. At only 18, for my first experience alone and in Asia I was beyond worried however relieved to be met by the English owner of the orphanage along with two Cambodian co-workers one with also very good English. They calmed me down and spent a lovely day with me in Phnom Penh so I forgot my troubles and had a good day. During the placement, the children were all gems. And the trip to Little Po school where I helped teach English was amazing. I formed a close bond with a couple children who I will look into sponsorship and have Christmas presents for. We had fun crafts, I helped children with homework and took them all on a beach trip on my last day. It was an amazing experience and I do miss it and it has affected the way I live. I would recommend it to anyone and say it was such an eye opener and experience of a life time. If you are worried about travelling alone, simply don't be. All the team made me so welcome and if I can do it anyone can :)” 

Will - 2010

"The children at this orphanage are some of the happiest, most able and mature people you will ever meet. They have so little, and they do so much for themselves, and yet they are so happy with what they have and in everything that they do. Their eagerness to learn is incredible, and I quickly realised how lucky I am to have been given the education I have - something many people in the western world take completely for granted. The project truly does make you appreciate what the important things in life really are, and how ignorant many of the values we consider important in the western world are. This project is definitely the most enlightening and rewarding thing I have ever done. I will miss the children there with all my heart, and I hope to return to the orphanage as soon as I can.

A typical day: Walk up to the orphanage in the mid-morning after a simple breakfast at the volunteer house. Play sport or read with the children, or just chat with them. In the afternoon, after lunch at the volunteer house, you can perhaps help out with any tasks there may be at the orphanage. There may be things such as building, repairing, or painting to be done. There are also some structured lessons at the orphanage that volunteers can help out with (although volunteers are free to take lessons with the kids whenever they like, if they can organise it). In the evening, when it is cooler, the kids usually play more sports, or just sit around chatting. Volunteers leave the orphanage in the early evening for dinner at the centre, and then you have the evenings free to relax in the house with the other volunteers.

The thing I found most rewarding was playing football with the kids. At home, football is such a big part of my life, and such an important thing for me, that it was amazing for me to play the game with kids who shared my passion for the sport. You realise that no matter what language you speak, and how different your cultural background is, that sport is a way in which we can all communicate.

Go there with an open heart and an open mind. Get as involved as you can, and give these kids as much of your love as you possibly can. You'll quickly see when you get there how much they deserve it.

I chose PoD because they seemed like they had a very personal relationship with their projects, and because they seemed more interested in helping both the projects and the volunteers than in earning money. I would definitely recommend them to other people looking to volunteer.

Thank you so much for organising this placement for me. It was the experience of a lifetime, and it truly has changed me. I believe I am truly lucky to have been able to do something like this, so thank you."

Donna - 2010

"I chose PoD because i wanted to do a kids summer camp and PoD had the perfect project in Thailand but 2 weeks wasn’t enough time for me so I decided to do the orphanage in Cambodia too. I would recommend PoD to anyone that’s interested in voluntary work. I've gained a great experience from both projects and I would happily do another project with PoD in the future."

Laura - 2010

"Cambodia is an amazing country and, considering its sad history, the people are so open and friendly. The orphanage itself is a very relaxed atmosphere (allowing you to go off and explore this beautiful country as well as working there) and the children welcome you immediately with open arms. I had such a fantastic time, the high points were having water fights with the kids in the monsoon rain and the discos at the orphanage!! I would definitely recommend both this project and this country to anyone looking to have genuine adventures off the usual tourist trails and meet some amazing children."

Rajiv - 2010

"As my first volunteer project I felt POD made it extremely easy for me to organise the trip as well as offering great support while I was at the project. The staff are friendly and helpful and my experience with them has given me the volunteering bug. I just got back a week ago and I am planning my next trip already! The projects give real help to those that need it and furthermore the company is a non- profit organisation unlike many other major volunteer organisations, which means all the money you pay goes towards the projects and the administration involved in organising the project. In Cambodia the staff at NFO are extremely helpful and friendly! The children are loving and will appreciate any time you are willing to give them. The activities are fun as you make them and the hours are flexible, so you spend as much time at the orphanage as you like however during the hottest part of the day the kids will not be up for anything strenuous. It is a good idea to read the histories of the children to get a better idea of where they are coming from although you may want to brace yourself for a few harrowing stories. I would recommend POD to anyone that wants to volunteer to aid various causes, and I will be using them for my next trip. I hope this type of volunteering/holiday gets more popular as in my experience this project especially allowed me to get a REAL taste of rural Cambodia's culture whilst providing the opportunity to contribute towards a good cause.

A typical day: Wake up Early for Morning exercise ( if you can that is), Have a cool refreshing shower! Plan your day with the kids (although you may have to throw it out the window as the kids may not be in the mood to do what you want). Walk to the orphanage 5 mins away, Entertain the kids after they get back from school with whatever activity you can think of, then back to the commune for home-made delicious lunch, back to the orphanage and play football volleyball etc when it is not so hot/Teach English , painting, help out with the building until 7 when you get back to the commune for dinner where you can chat about your day with the other volunteers. spend the rest of the day doing what you want(Karaoke bars, Chill out at the commune where you can swap stories with other volunteers and complain about mosquito bites :) . Then repeat until Friday, then you can have a three day weekend to travel around Cambodia (usually Siam Reap or Sihanoukville) or spend more time with the kids and see their dance routine at the Lakeside then back on Sunday!

When you get through to a particular child that is closed off from everyone due to their experiences, when they open up to you it is a very rewarding moment that doesn't compare to any job I have ever worked in.

DO IT! Fun and fulfilling

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend it to other?

Because it is a non Profit organisation that has a great support team with great projects and Yes- I would reccomend PoD to others!"

Jonny - 2010

"ITS AMAZING!!
Arrived safe and swiftly, was introduced to the orphanage as soon as I put my bags in my room and all the children knew my name the next morning! They are all so friendly and just want to play and talk with you like you said, but recently we have started organised reading sessions where the kids can come to the library they have here between 11 and 12 and they can choose a book they want help reading with. Its so popular its awesome, even though I’ve never read to a child before, they are so enthusiastic about learning new words it's incredible! And I’ve learnt my fair share of khmer, good and bad :D

We are putting on a talent show this weekend for them so that’s going to be really exciting! I’m hoping they all take to it full heart, I think they understand the concept!

What I think is good about PoD is that it didn’t lie on explaining the project. It's so laid back, some people don’t even turn up to the orphanage, you can turn up whenever, for how long you want etc do whatever you want, no structure exactly how you guys at PoD explained it on your website. A few people here are complaining to their respective project companies because they were told it was for under 4's, you would be getting them ready for school, they paid for khmer cultural and cooking lessons that don’t exist, all these extras other companies claim but PoD have told it how it is so I knew exactly what to expect, so thank you :)

I have one week more and wish i could stay longer, I know if I ever come back to Cambodia (which I think I will ) I will be back to Takeo, that’s a definite.

I know I’m going to be sad to leave, but its been an amazing time and met so many people here. Cambodia is definitely my favourite place so far!"

Shaun - 2010

"It is absolutely fantastic here, I love it...I have been hard at it since I have been here doing all the jobs Boonseng has had having around for a while.......It's a shame that I am only here a short time, if it were not for work I would love to stay longer and do more. I will definitely return.

I would strongly recommend Takeo to those people that want to see the non touristy side of Cambodia and the realities that come with it. There are also a couple of trips you can do, well one in particular that assist the region spread it's history to westerners. Takeo is very very poor and has because it was once the bread basket of the country has suffered significantly due to the American bombing and Pol Pot regime.

In summary it is a fantastic project in a fragmented but lovely place. The Khmer people are without doubt the friendliest people I have ever come across, generosity abound.  I intend to return."

Click here to go to the Cambodia Orphanage and Community Teaching page