Feeding Dreams Cambodia is an amazing Non-profit organisation that gives children the opportunity to shine. These children do not have the same privileges as I did growing up, yet the amount of love and happiness shown towards my friends and I was overwhelming.
VOLUNTEER
We offer volunteer experiences that make a real connection and a meaningful difference in the lives of Cambodian children and their families
As a volunteer you will have a truly rewarding experience in working closely and personally with impoverished children, youth and their families in Cambodia who need care, love and support.
We welcome people of all ages and backgrounds whether individuals, families or groups. No formal qualifications are necessary. If you are enthusiastic, have a flexible attitude and are humanitarian by nature, we would love to have you volunteer with us in Cambodia in either of the following programs.
Volunteer periods can be from a few days to 1 month, with most volunteers staying for an average of 2 weeks. There are no specific start dates and we welcome volunteers in Cambodia year round. Longer term volunteer periods are on application and need basis only.
Depending on our current volunteer needs in Cambodia, we welcome volunteers to assist in the following areas at Feeding Dreams:
Education & School Meal Program
Feeding Dreams educates over 800 students of all ages daily from very poor backgrounds. If you speak fluent English, you can contribute significantly in our classrooms. You will support a great local Khmer teacher who will guide you into assisting and becoming involved with the students and children. Creativity and interaction is encouraged. You do not need to have teaching experience.
You may select which age group of children you would prefer to work with such as –
– Kindy-age kids in Aunty Mel’s Kindergarten
– Pre-schoolers
– 8 to 12 year olds or teenagers.
Volunteer teachers will help older children and teenagers with teaching simple English, basic Maths, reading stories and games. Also you can help our cooks distribute over 600 meals daily to our students.
Click Here to view a day in the life of a Volunteer
FDC Volunteer in Cambodia
8am School assembly
This is a fun start to the morning and a great way for the children to greet the day, sing songs and skip off to class. Volunteers are introduced during this time and are invited to sing songs with the children – the children love it.
8.15am – School lessons
After greeting your teacher and children in your class, help your Khmer teacher hand out weekly lesson sheets to each student; English, math, song, worksheets and colouring. As a volunteer you can assist in many areas such as pronouncing words and lyrics of songs correctly to students, help organize fun interactive games on the whiteboard with students, and offer personal support to individual students, teaching them to hold pencils or decipher worksheet puzzles etc.
You will also have your own challenge to prepare arts or crafts, educational games etc for a 30 minute block each week. Visit our Reception area and search for appropriate resources from our stock for classes – we have plenty.
If you are assisting in our Kinder class, this involves more varied playtime including building blocks, puzzles, songs, and crowd control. Supervision and patience is a must in this area.
* We rely on volunteers to take notice of our student’s appearance – If you notice children who have scratches, sores, fungal skin infections, head lice or look generally unwell, bring them into our First Aid room for assessment and treatment.
9.15am – School Meals
Help your teacher serve up the meals to each student in your classroom. Many students will come back for seconds or thirds. Naturally our students get very excited with receiving their meal, as in many cases, this is the only proper meal they will eat in the day.
9.45am – Back to class to complete lessons
* Our school teachers will often bring a child who is dressed in ripped, ragged or dirty clothing or with no shoes to our attention. We have our own Feeding Dreams ‘Boutique’ which is stocked with donated, second hand clothes (we always need more) from visitors, volunteers and sponsors. Choose outfits, shoes and other items of clothing accordingly. Always have a Feeding Dreams staff member present for assistance.
10.30am – Time to go home, our students and teachers go home enjoy the lunch break and return before 2pm
LUNCH
2.00pm – School Assembly for afternoon students
Assembly and sing songs kick off a fun afternoon. Interaction from volunteers is again encouraged as this stimulates energy and motivation for the students.
2.15pm – School lessons
Repeat of 8.15am activities and assistance.
3.00pm – School Meals
Help our cook distribute meals to each student in your classroom.
3.15pm – Play time
Interact and play games with the children.
3.30pm – Back to class
Assist the Khmer teacher in the classroom with pronunciation, blackboard activities and resources.
4.00pm – Younger students leave for home
4.00pm – Young teens arrive for 1 hour of English lesson
5.00pm – Older teens arrive for 1 hour of English lesson
6.00pm – Time to go home
Community Support Program
FDC works with our student’s families who are living in poverty in urban slums. They may be illiterate, suffering sickness, disability or exploitation and with our support, guidance and assistance, we can work towards restoring their hope and dignity.
As a volunteer, you can support our Community Staff by accompanying them when interviewing, assessing and photographing new families or individuals, who are in critical situations. This would then involve computer work in preparing and editing profiles of those in need of ongoing support as well as preparing reports to sponsors on the invaluable outcomes from their sponsorship given.
First Aid & Medical Assistance Program
FDC has a first aid room to attend to student’s minor injuries while at school. Our full-time First Aid Officer also attends to children who are ill and determines if further medical assistance is required. Volunteers who have a medical background or are studying in the medical field are most welcomed.
Volunteer Times
You can choose to volunteer on weekday mornings from 8.00am to 10.30am or in the afternoon from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. You may wish to continue your Education Volunteering to 6.00pm for older students.
You are welcome to do morning or afternoon volunteering or both. It is up to you as you can fit in your volunteering experience and sight-seeing while you are in Cambodia.
Our school is open from Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays) so the weekends are for you to enjoy.
Volunteer Placement Fee
We kindly require a one off Compulsory Donation of US 100 $. This fee helps us to continue to provide our lifesaving programs to poor families, as well as provide staff to look after you prior to and during your stay.
You will receive:
– Online support and advice prior to your arrival
– Booking and confirmation of your preferred accommodation **
– Free Orientation tour of Siem Reap town and handy tips on services and restaurants
– Free Transport to and from Feeding Dreams on your first day of volunteering
– Induction at Feeding Dreams Cambodia on your first day
– On the ground support and contact during your stay
– Certificate of Participation upon completion of our Volunteer Aid Program
** Feeding Dreams works in partnership with participating hotels to offer special rates for our volunteers.
Feeding Dreams also specializes in providing custom Group Volunteer experiences.
To learn more about what we can provide groups please CLICK HERE.
All volunteers must sign and adhere to our Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.
To learn more about our FDC Policies/Ethical Standards please CLICK HERE.
Before applying, please view the online calendar to see when Feeding Dreams is closed for holidays.
Volunteer Testimonials
Click Here to read more of our Volunteer Testimonials over the years.
Our Feeding Dreams volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and without support from our compassionate volunteers around the globe, our programs would not be what they are today.
If you are interested in volunteering but still have questions or concerns please email volunteer@feedingdreamscambodia.ngo. We would love to hear from you.
Location
Our school is conveniently located a short 10 minutetuk-tuk ride from the popular tourist hotspot of Siem Reap, and only 45 minutes drive from the Siem Reap International Airport.
With a wide variety of tourist hotels, restaurants and activities for tourists, Siem Reap makes for a perfect location to combine giving back while also enjoying a holiday in the tropical Kingdom Of Wonder.