Construction and Renovation in Siem Reap, Cambodia

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day & 2 p/day at weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI). You must arrive between 06:00 – 18:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer and any extra nights for an additional fee.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this). 

From the airport to Samraong, it takes 3-3.5 hours by by Airport Bus and Taxi, and from the airport to our local centre in Siem Reap around 1-1.5 hours by Airport Bus and Tuk Tuk. 

Monday

• Kick things off with an introduction meeting where you’ll go over house rules, set expectations, and receive health and safety advice, including how to handle important documents.
• Dive into Cambodian culture with a Khmer Do’s and Don’ts session, Khmer culture lessons, and even some basic Khmer language tips to help you settle in.
• Take a tour around the compound and local area to find nearby shops, and we’ll help you arrange a SIM card if needed.
• Get an introduction to the project and visit the project site to understand your role. After this, you’ll be ready to jump in and start contributing!

Tuesday to Friday

• After breakfast, head out to the construction project, which could be at our school, local homes, or community facilities. Your coordinator will brief you on the tasks for the day.
• Expect to work for about 4-5 hours per day, with a much-needed lunch break in between. Lunch will either be back at the accommodation or near the project site.
• Your tasks might include construction, renovation, painting, or building furniture, all of which directly help the community.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

Here are a few things to do in Cambodia…

Angkor Wat

You can’t make a trip to Cambodia without visiting Angkor Wat. This is a stunning temple. Head there for sunrise to get the reflection over the water. Angkor Wat can easily be reached from the friendly backpacker town of Siem Reap. 

Rabbit Island

Koh Tonsay or ‘rabbit island’ is situated a 30 boat ride from the town of Kep. This small paradise island has no wifi, only a handful of cafes and that’s about it! All the accommodation are simple wooden beach bungalows, which just adds to the simple way of living. This is a great chance to get away from the crowds, enjoy the sunset over the ocean and to really and truly relax. 

S21 Prison & Killing Fields

The Khmer Rouge era was a tragic and horrific few years in Cambodia’s past, where millions of people were killed or sent away to work at various camps. Visit the S21 prison, where people were held as prisoners. This is quite a saddening visit but one that allows a better insight and understanding into exactly what happened during this time. The killing fields are situated just out from the capital. Again, a sad but very humbling visit. 

Sihanoukville

This beachside town is popular with backpackers, for its lovely beaches and great nightlife. The best beaches are found off from the mainland, where there are plenty of island-hopping tours. 

Siem Reap

The main town closest to Angkor Wat, this is very backpacker friendly, with plenty of cheap places to stay of you want to visit on a weekend. There are many bars, clubs and entertainment in the evenings. During the day you can visit the nearby temples, floating markets, get a fish pedicure in town or a relaxing massage. 

Jungle Trekking

There are plenty of hiking and trekking trails available in Cambodia. There’s lush jungle, gorgeous waterfalls and plenty of wildlife. You can head into the Cardamon mountains, Mondulkiri province or head to natural waterfalls on the outskirts of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.

Battambang

This countryside town is known for it’s colonial buildings and artsy vibes. While still quite rural, the town has lots of cafes and western places to eat, as well as markets of all kinds. Head out into the country and check out the bamboo train. This used to be a very basic wooden panel which you sat on to ride through the countryside. It has now been updated with proper seats but still a fun and unique thing to do!

• Additional Requirements

  • Genuine interest in construction and community development.
  • Physical fitness and ability to engage in manual labor and construction tasks.
  • Energy, patience, and adaptability to work in a team and diverse environments.
  • Medical clearance for participants over 65 years.
  • Signed parental consent for participants under 18 years (if applicable).
  • Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  • Respect for local culture, customs, and community values.
  • Willingness to follow safety protocols and work under supervision.
  • Have completed or recommended the following vaccines: Polio, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria/Tetanus, Typhoid, Malaria, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis.

  Additional Equipment

  Packing List
  Clothing

  • Modest clothing (covers knees and shoulders)
  • Comfortable walking shoes, sandals, water shoes
  • Sun hat, fleece sweater, windproof rain jacket (depending on weather)

  Documents

  • Passport
  • Flight info, insurance, vouchers, visas, and vaccination certificates

  Health & Safety:

  • Hand sanitizer, face masks (if required)
  • First-aid kit (medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, rehydration tablets)

  Essentials:

  • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
  • Day pack, small travel towel, reusable water bottle
  • Moneybelt, locks for bags
  • Personal entertainment (books, cards, music player)

  Optional Items:

  • Work-specific clothing (old, durable clothes for construction)

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: KH – Holidays – All Programs

Although the Kingdom of Cambodia is rich in natural resources, decades of war and internal conflict have left it one of the world’s poorest countries. The average salary in Cambodia is less than US$1.50 a day, and around a third of people live below the national poverty line. Poor living conditions are particularly  prevalent in rural parts, where access to safe drinking water is barely above half.  Human traffickers exploit the vulnerable with heart-breaking cruelty.

Cambodia’s poor people number almost 4.8 million, and 90 per cent of them are  in rural areas. Most of them depend on agriculture for their livelihood.  Two thirds of the Cambodia’s 1.6 million rural households face seasonal food  shortages each year. Rice alone accounts for as much as 30 per cent of household  expenditures. Rural people are constantly looking for work or other  income-generating activities, which are mainly temporary and poorly paid..

Involvement Volunteers programs in Cambodia enable you to experience Cambodia as a local, participating in their daily activities while offering yourself in the benefit of those less fortunate. All the projects are grass rooted; working with local people for local people. Within all the projects we value the education factor and the intercultural exchange very highly delivering an educational experience for volunteers.

Cambodia is warm and tropical throughout the year, with a wet and dry season and temperatures ranging from 21 to 35 °C. 

December to Febuary are considered the best months to visit, due to the cooler climate (although still warm).

March to June is very hot, sometimes over 40 degrees but it’s usually dry.

June to September is hot, humid and monsoon season. The positive of travelling in this season is that everything is so grean, prices are cheaper and there are less tourists.

October and November also have showers but the weather is slightly cooler. Showers are usually predictable and happen for short bursts in the afternoons. 

Cambodia has a rich culture, with around 97% of the population following the Buddhist religion. They have many great temples, including the most famous one, Angkor Wat, which is a must visit. Cambodian people have a great respect for their elders and put an importance on having a strong family unit. They are very kind, a little shy but very friendly and will be eager to learn about your culture back home. Cambodia also has a dark past and you will see many reminders of the Khmer Rouge era where millions of innocent people were captured and killed. Despite this, Cambodia nowadays has a relaxed, friendly and welcoming vibe, with lots of arts and culture. 

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