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Thank you for being interested in coming to help us! As you may have gathered from reading all about us, and our kids, volunteering with us can be a hugely rewarding experience. And don’t just take our word for it, click here to read some testimonials from a handful of our previous volunteers.
CCPP is a Cambodian NGO and all our full time staff are Khmer. It is our hope that eventually we will be able to hand over the NGO and its running to a fully Khmer team. We hope our volunteers can bring something a little extra by sharing their relevant skill set with our staff and helping the project grow. Whether that’s carpentry, teaching skills, or just being great with the kids, we welcome people from all walks of life to join us at CCPP.
How do I volunteer?
To start the process please fill out the application form – CCPP_applicationform09.doc. We also request a photocopy of your passport in addition to this and as you will be working with children we will require a police check from your country of residence. We also need you to abide by our strict Child Protection Policy so this document will need to be read and signed by you on your arrival. After that, its time to start enjoying your time at CCPP!
How long can I volunteer for?
We encourage volunteers to be with us for 2 to 3 months, as this gives ample time for the children to get to know you and for you to settle into a beneficial routine with them. Of course we accept those who are available for less time than this, but 1 month is a minimum requirement.
Can I just visit for a few days?
We tend to be pretty full up most of the year with volunteers so we don’t encourage drop ins but if you have a few hours to spare please contact us before you are arriving and we will see what we can organize for you.
When can I volunteer?
Please forward your ideal volunteering dates and we will try to accommodate you. Due to our limited onsite volunteer accommodation we may need to get back to you with a suggested timeframe.
FAQS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING
So what’s it like?
Volunteering at CCPP can be a wonderfully rewarding experience, but you need to be ready for the realities of working in a third world country. Although Sihanoukville is quite advanced compared to a lot of Cambodia, the poverty and possible culture shock you may experience may affect your time here. We wto be emailed to you for more general information about what life is like as a volunteer. Any questions you have please feel free to forward them to us and we will answer them as quickly and honestly as possible.
What hours will I be working?
The centre is open 8am till 5pm, with a two-hour break at midday. Depending on how many volunteers we have we split the shifts into half days. We have one day off a week, being Mondays.
What are the kids like?
Our kids are all from impoverished backgrounds, and a lot have suffered abuse. Most have no parental guidance and live without rules or structure. They can be challenging and a hand-full but on the whole are amazing and inspiring little characters. You will have so much fun with them and we ask that you always remember their backgrounds and treat them with the love and care they deserve.
Volunteer accommodation
CCPP provides excellent on-site volunteer accommodation, and as an added bonus we are situated just 500 metres from the beach. There are 4 bedrooms in all, each with their own bathroom, and we have full kitchen facilities, a TV room, communal balcony and a CCPP motorbike for market and day trips.
What is appropriate clothing/behaviour?
Cambodians dress modestly and we ask that you do too. We provide you with a uniform of sorts, CCPP t-shirts that can be worn with shorts, long pants or skirts. We ask that you remember to keep modestly covered when around the kids and when visiting the beach they frequent. It’s all about respect.
What will I be doing at CCPP?
There are many ways to help while volunteering at CCPP, depending on your skills and experience.
While our core activity is painting, which we encourage the kids to do everyday, there is so much more going on at CCPP on a daily basis.
You may find yourself playing, reading, running a craft or sports activity, holding a skipping rope, or just giving encouragement to the kids. We always need assistance with our English classes and specific projects around the centre so don’t be shy. Also, there’s a fair bit of hugging and band-aid application work involved also so be prepared!
Are any of the children sick?
It is an unfortunate and saddening statistic that exists among the poorer of the area that AIDS is a reality amongst these families. Precautions should always be taken when dealing with any cuts and bumps by wearing disposable gloves.
What about my health and safety?
Sihanoukville isn’t without its underbelly so caution is advised when walking alone and at night (more details in the volunteers handbook). The centre itself is very secure and we offer lockable drawers in all rooms for personal belongings.
As far as personal health is concerned we recommend personal health insurance as the nearest decent hospital is a 4 hour drive away. There is an adequate medical clinic in the centre of town but anything more serious will require a trip to Phnom Penh or Bangkok.
How much does it cost? What about fundraising?
To cover our rent expenditure we require all volunteers to pay a monthly contribution, which also helps fund the running costs of the program. This is includes full access to all the centre has to offer, including fresh drinking water (you cannot drink the water from taps), Khmer cooking classes, and language classes weekly. For the current monthly rate or for more information please contact us at ccppvolunteers@gmail.com.
CCPP is a Cambodian registered NGO (non-government organization). We receive no financial support from any government or aid agency, we rely solely on the generosity of our benefactors and supporters who donate what they can to keep us up and running. If you are able to raise money for the project we would love to welcome your ideas as to how it could be spent.
We hope you will return to your homes inspired to continue your association with CCPP and to support the kids! |
