Specials Needs Care for Children

As the health care system in Cambodia is still very basic, disabilities cannot be treated very well yet. It is very hard for families to care for their disabled children at home so large number of disabled children live in care facilities. The center provides appropriate living conditions to the children such as housing, food and nursing. Daily medical care is also available. Recreational activities are created to improve the living environment for the children. Volunteers assist the local staff to help care for the children. 

Volunteers will help in the center wherever it is needed. Volunteers work approximately four to six hours a day. Taking care of children ranging from infants to 6 years old. Most centers expect the volunteers to play with the kids, create activities for them to do and also to help with other tasks like feeding, moving and cleaning up. Volunteers may also help them during their rehabilitation and therapy exercises (if experienced).

Educational facilities are available for children such as a kindergarten classroom from 4 to 6 years old and special education classrooms for disabled children. Children over six years are sent to the primary school. Discrimination against those kids is a huge problem as well: Cambodia is a Buddhist country and people therefore believe in reincarnation. If a baby is born handicapped, the disability is often seen a sign for something that happened in a former life of the child.

Volunteers will get the weekend off. There are many places volunteers can visit at the weekend including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, National Museum, Killing Field... Volunteers can also travel by bus to visit many provinces at weekend or during national holiday such as to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat, the famous historical place or Sihahouk Vill and Kampot to see beaches. Phnom Penh is a very international city, you will find a lot of western bars, supermarkets offer western articles, and especially the riverside is the spot for diplomats, travelers and international NGO-workers. But of course, you will also find the Cambodian Culture everywhere in the city. Walk around the different markets, try the food of the food stalls at the street or just walk around the streets, there is really always something to explore. Phnom Penh is a good base for trips through the country as it is very central.