Samraong - Construction Effort

Samraong is the capital of Oddar Meanchey province, which is Cambodia’s newest province. The province is located north of Siem Reap province and borders Thailand. The city of Siem Reap is about 120 km away from Samraong, currently about 2 hours by car, depending on the condition of the road. During the rainy season the trip may take considerably longer.

This project aims to improve the quality of life for under-privileged citizens in and around Samraong. The construction projects greatly improve the environment of the poverty-stricken people within this area. The main project site is the Greenway School. However, we assist the local people with all development construction projects as well.

You don't need special qualifications or even experience in construction, but do consider that this job requires physical strength and endurance in hot weather conditions. In addition, your work will depend upon the needs of the school, community or recipients at that particular point in time or you can look forward to working out in the local community, if construction and renovation jobs arise. However, your main roles will be, but are not limited to:

- Assist in the construction and renovations of communal infrastructures such as schools, Buddhist Temples, local houses and so on
- Digging and assembling construction materials
- Help & Assist in the construction and renovations of school playgrounds
- Make school pathways and fence around the school
- Repair and renovate school walls
- Help and assist in building new classrooms or any other school facilities, such as computer rooms, school libraries, school toilets, etc.
- Help in painting school buildings
- Gardening and andscaping
- Repairing and making tables & chairs
- Building a registration and information office for parents to meet and get some information about the school
- Building a place for compost/trash
- Planting trees

In addition, during the construction activities, please be careful and mindful when using construction equipment and material, ask assistance from your local coordinators for heavy tasks and of course to enjoy and make the most of your stay and make memorable learning experiences.

This action-packed week will get you sightseeing, learning about Buddhism, interacting with the local people, enjoying Cambodian culture and more!

Explore the lively Siem Reap, a backpacker’s hotspot in the North of Cambodia with lots to do, a world famous temple close by and a vibrant nightlife. This is your chance to experience Cambodia from a local perspective, while you see and feel how most of the population live.

Week One First Monday - Introduction Day
Your project starts with an introduction day on the first Monday including a tour of the area surrounding the accommodation, available facilities, cultural "do's and don'ts", safety concerns as well as some basic local language lessons.

Monday to Friday
The actual volunteer work begins with a meeting with the coordinator, discussing what is required during your stay at the project. The focus is on light construction work and you will be expected to help paint the school buildings, make tables and chairs, construct and renovate the playground, make pathways, build toilets, repair the school wall and help build the new classrooms. Construction and renovation work is available in more places when required in the local area.You can expect to engage in construction and renovation work at the project location for 4-5 hours per day with a lunch break in between.

You don't need special qualifications or even to have experience in construction efforts to participate, but this role still requires some physical strength and endurance in hot weather conditions, however, activities focus only on light constructions.

Please note that the volunteer activities and schedule can change at any time based on the needs of the project, local conditions, the weather and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings & Weekends
During the evening the volunteers are generally free, no program activities are scheduled. Weekends are always free. Relax at your homestay accommodation, take a bicycle into town, or expand your sightseeing and visit the many sites in the Oddar Meanchey province, or take a taxi to Siem Reap for the weekend. Our friendly staff are always there to make your choice easier with advice.

Minimum age of 18
Basic level of competency in English
Police Clearance Certificate on sign-up
Passport copy required on arrival

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.