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Cambodia
Co-ordinators: Holly Clark and Lewis Morrison
Project
E-mail: svacambodia@yahoo.co.uk
The Country
Cambodia, in SE Asia, is a country still
recovering from a turbulent past and decades of international isolation as
a result of continued political unrest and violence under the Khmer Rouge
Regime. When in power, the regime was responsible for one of the most
devastating genocides in history, along with the extensive destruction of
the country’s limited infrastructure and education system.
In recent years Cambodia has seen something
of a tourist boom and this has become increasingly important for the
Cambodian economy. Located in the North West of the
country, Siem Reap, where he project is set, has
become one of Cambodia’s most popular tourist destinations owing its
popularity largely to its proximity to the Angkor Temples, a UNESCO
heritage site of over 1000 temples built between the 9th and 15th
centuries.
Aims
of the Project
1.
Teaching at the VDCA school in Siem Reap and
enhancing the ties already held between Glasgow students and the teachers
and pupils there.
2.
Teaching at a more rural school and being involved in the beginning of a
new relationship.
3.
Embracing a completely different way of life and increasing the awareness
of our volunteers.
Details of the Project
The project involves 8 weeks
of teaching at the Volunteer
Development Children’s Association School (VDCA) in Siem
Reap, Cambodia between June and
early August. During this time the volunteers will stay in 'Our Best Western
Guesthouse'
in downtown Siem Reap.
An ever-growing level of tourism
has necessitated the rapid need for English as a second language in
Cambodia. Private English schools are common, but for the majority of
Cambodians, these are inaccessible; costs of 300 riels (approximately 6 US
cents) per day prevent most children from attending. Thus, facilities for
free and open English teaching are indispensable. By living in one of
Cambodia’s most popular tourist destinations, local people are perfectly
placed to take advantage of the tourist boom, if they can gain the
education they need. The Volunteer Development Children’s Association
(VDCA)’s position just outside the town centre allows children from the
local area to learn English for free, giving them the chance of a better
future.
The
school teaches English, Japanese and Buddhism; computer skills; HIV
Awareness; and health and hygiene issues to over 500 students aged between
5 and 25. Students study at the school for 1 – 2 hours each day between 2pm
– 8pm.
Primarily,
volunteers will be teaching English to classes that are divided by
ability rather than by age.
Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to teach other skills
they may have such as music and artistic skills. Playing sports and games is a huge part
of the volunteer programme as well.
This
year the project is introducing volunteering at another school (a smaller
project connected with VDCA) just outside of Siem
Reap in the morning, again teaching English. SVA Cambodia has a close relationship
with this school, as last year’s volunteers donated money for the building
of a library at the school and we are hoping this relationship to go from
strength to strength.
Costs
Each volunteer is required to raise
£600 resulting in a group total of £4800.
The cost of accommodation will be covered
by the fundraising.
The cost of flights and vaccinations is
not covered. Flights to Bangkok,
Thailand cost approximately £550 - £600 and then onward travel to Siem Riep is between £40 and
£70 depending on the method of travel.
The cost of vaccinations is dependent on which vaccinations you
choose to get. The compulsory
vaccinations are free on the NHS.
Rabies and Japanese B. Encephalitis cost around £150 each for the
full vaccinations. Malaria tablet
prices vary depending on brand but are generally not too expensive.
Volunteers
SVA Cambodia is looking for 8
volunteers who:
are full of energy and don’t mind standing up in front of a
classroom full of children
are very
enthusiastic and like to have fun (maybe
up for some singing as Cambodians love to sing and dance!)
want a new and exciting challenge in a
completely different country and are able to embrace a new culture
No previous English teaching skills, TEFL
course or similar certification are required for this project. We would just like enthusiastic people
with a lot of energy and a passion for making a difference.
Non-Governmental
Organistation (NGO)
VDCA
was founded by two Buddhist monks, the late Venerable Nn
Rathana and Mr Togh and
has worked with our charity for five years. The organisation
itself is very well run, with the former monk director Mr Togh’s genial demeanor
masking a well-honed ability to coordinate a growing project. By Cambodian
NGO standards, the facilities used by the school are good with classrooms,
a library and IT room all adequately equipped. VDCA also maintains strong
links with the community it serves, as best demonstrated by Our Best
Western Guesthouse’s tie up with the school which provides a degree of
income as well as opportunities for students to practice their language
skills.
Our Best Western also has ties with the
school that volunteers will be teaching at in the morning. This school is still quite underdeveloped
and currently doesn’t have a website.
Tropeang Sess
Village, Kork Chork
Commune, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Phone: (855+) 92 27 12 08
http://vdca-cambodia.org/
Useful Websites
http://www.ourbestwesternguesthouse.com/
http://www.cambodia.org/
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