Volunteer Opportunity near Siem Reap

Cambodian school for poor and orphaned children looking for volunteers or donations. Siem Reap

15 years ago, June 19th 2008 No: 1 Msg: #39196 Delete Edit

Herecomes2
Michael and Stephanie Henry

B Posts: 13

My wife and I serendipitously met Mr. Sok Vanna, director of a small NGO-run school for local orphaned and poor children. We were lucky enough to volunteer some of our time for one week, helping the children learn in English. They are bright, artistic, and eager to learn. But the school is in desperate need of volunteer workers and/or donations.

Currently there are 6 classes, run 3 at a time, with 109 students in total. Morning class are from 8am-11am, and afternoon classes are from 2pm-5pm. Mr. Sok accepts donations of rice and noodles from local businesses, which he distributes to the children, many of whom would be unable to attend otherwise.

No experience is necessary and you don't need to book through a voluntourism agency. Just show up for one of the classes or contact Mr. Sok (see details below). Information is also available on the website (http://soidngo.org/home.html ). You can volunteer for as little as one class, or as long as you are able.

It is extremely inspiring to see local people such as Mr. Sok dedicate their life to making a better future for Cambodia. The infrastructure is in place, but now he needs your support to keep things running. This is a real and concrete way to help the people of Cambodia.

If you know of anyone who is interested, please pass this information onto them.

If you are inspired to help, but unable to lend your time, please consider making a donation. $20/month can keep one child in school. Mr. Sok will send you reports on how the money is being spent. He stresses transparency. Bank account information can be obtained by contacting Mr. Sok. Donations of rice, workbooks, pencils or pens are also appreciated.

Our lives have been blessed by the opportunity to help out for even one week. If you are in Siem Reap, take the time to visit the school, meet with Mr. Sok, we are confident you will want to help.

Contact:
Supporting the Orphan and Indigent People of Cambodia for Development (SOID) Organization
Sok Vanna (Director)
Tel:
Email:
Office: #189, Group 3, Phum Tropaing Sess, Khum Kok Chok Siem Reap Province
http://soidngo.org/home.html

We've also started a Facebook group to bring attention to the school:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31216461768

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15 years ago, June 19th 2008 No: 2 Msg: #39198 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

Hello Michael 😊

I moved this to the classifieds forum.
I also snipped the email address and the phone number from you post. We snip them to prevent spammers form harvesting and using them.
You can exchange email addresses and phone numbers with other members via the private messaging system.

Mel

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15 years ago, June 20th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #39326 Delete Edit

Herecomes2
Michael and Stephanie Henry

B Posts: 13

Thanks! Reply to this

15 years ago, July 22nd 2008 No: 4 Msg: #42643 Delete Edit

david and lorna
DAVID AND LORNA BRACKEN

B Posts: 26

we are here and know exactly whats going on.. vianna is a great guy and he deserves the best for these kids as he is trying so hard.. he is a gift from God.. we are so enjoying our time with the kids and it was a pleasure to teach them...
lorna and david Reply to this

15 years ago, January 4th 2009 No: 5 Msg: #58861 Delete Edit

angienetza
Angélica Netzahualcoyotzi Gómez

B Posts: 1

I would love to do it, I'm currently doing the same in Thailand but after here I will travel in Cambodia. For me sounds great because I cannot afford volunteer that charge.

On the other hand my friend wants to do some organic agriculture volunteer. So if you know something about it around that area. We can join for sure!! Reply to this

15 years ago, January 15th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #60340 Delete Edit

dreamweaver
Tomas Eliesen

N Posts: 13

Herecomes2; Did you guys pay anything to participate on the program? I've been visiting the website and it tells it costs money.

Cheers! Reply to this

15 years ago, January 16th 2009 No: 7 Msg: #60406 Delete Edit

deleted_49612
deleted_49612

D Posts: 24.6K

How much does it cost to volunteer there Michael and Stephanie? I presume if you volunteer casually for one class or something like that you dont have to pay anything? Reply to this

15 years ago, January 16th 2009 No: 8 Msg: #60420 Delete Edit

Herecomes2
Michael and Stephanie Henry

B Posts: 13

Hi everyone. There is a fee if you stay and do the one month program that Vanna, the director, has set up. However, he is in such need of teachers, that he is accepting short term (1-2 weeks, etc) at no cost.

There are other ways to help out, you can make a donation to Vanna directly, and you can decide how the money is spent. Vanna himself has a second job, so all money collected goes to paying the local teaching assitants, and to buying supplies for the school.

Please contact Vanna for more information. You can find the Facebook group (SOID Volunteer Cambodia) and Facebook Organization.

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15 years ago, March 2nd 2009 No: 9 Msg: #64538 Delete Edit

Chocolatemonkee
Jason Ball

B Posts: 99

Hey Brits here is the second post. Reply to this

14 years ago, August 8th 2009 No: 10 Msg: #82556 Delete Edit

Marianne Ford
Marianne

B Posts: 1

Hey Everyone

I am currently volunteering at SOID and just wanted to update this post with some more recent information as there is still a desperate need for volunteers. The school is currently operating at maximum capacity (all tables and chairs full) for both the afternoon and morning class with only 2 local teachers and 2 volunteers. I only arrived last week and don't know how they have been coping.

As above, there are classes from 8-11am and 2-5pm. No teaching experience is required (i have no formal training and this is my first time volunteering). You just need a positive attitude. The kids chose to go and are there because they want to learn and this makes them a joy to teach. Vanna also now has a few rooms which he rents out to volunteers for 5 dollars a night. The house is cool and clean and set in a local village where all the kids who attend the school live - there is a great sense of community and living there is a fantastic way to experience local life (It is my first weekend and today I walked along the river to town and the kids were all waving from their houses saying "hello teacher!") Siem Reap is only a 45 minute walk away along the river or a few minutes ($1) by tuktuk so I go the town at least once a day for dinner and to pick up groceries. The 8 orphans live 1km away and come to the house for school everyday, to eat and to play. There is no fee for volunteering; donations of clothes, books and food are needed but there is no pressure contribute anything other than your time.

If you Google SOID you can find their website with more info. As mentioned above there is also a facebook group. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me by email. Probably the best way to contact Vanna is by calling his mobile as he is very busy and does not always manage to reply to emails very quickly.

Marianne Reply to this

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Volunteer Opportunity near Siem Reap - Volunteers needed!