Village Children Caretaker

 Tourism in Cambodia contributes a tremendous amount to the economy. This means those who are able to converse in English with foreigners have far more prospects than those who do not. Exposure to the English language during a child’s early years helps initiate the development of this life-long skill of multilingualism. Exposure to native English speakers, therefore, provides a great starting point for this.

Our programme in Cambodia is based in Takeo Province, south of the country’s capital, Phnom Penh. The kids attending our Childcare Programme are from villages nearby, dropped off either by their working parents or collected by our team’s minivan. The childcare centre is located on the same campus as our team’s English Teaching programme for older children and teenagers. As the children progress and grow older at the Childcare project, it is hoped that they will continue their journey with our team with the help of our English Teaching Volunteers. The childcare project therefore aims to also help with this eventual transition and integration.

Participants on this programme will be based within a classroom setting. In addition to developing core English skills, this project focuses on promoting social interaction and routines from a young age. Volunteers will work to advocate all of these aspects through itineraries set by the local team.

There is an office of resources and textbooks, usually managed by longer-term volunteers on site, which you can use to assist you. Volunteers are encouraged to introduce creative and engaging ways to manage the class.

Volunteers and co-ordinators have also introduced a Fun Friday aspect to the programme. This is where if volunteers wish too they come together to organise social activities, plan games and perhaps even organise an afternoon trip outside of the programme for the children. Volunteers usually contribute a small expense to facilitate this, but contributing and participating in Fun Fridays are by no means compulsory.

Volunteers on PMGY Cambodia’s Childcare Programme make an impact by caring for these children and representing a positive influence that is much needed at their tender age. The kids on the project will carry the skills they learn during their time in the programme for the rest of their lives.

 Volunteers of PMGY Cambodia’s Childcare programme can expect to spend between 3-4 hours on the project each day. Time on the project will include various roles and tasks for the volunteers. Days will usually begin with a lively and energetic first hour of songs, games and basic hygiene tasks like teeth brushing. After burning off any excess energy, approximately one-hour will be dedicated to learning. This may include activities such as learning and recognising the alphabet, understanding phonics and the coaching of basic greetings. Combined, these types of tasks help to familiarise the children with this foreign language and also advances their learning ability for other subjects in the future. A typical day on the childcare project will end with various activities that focus on practicing fine motor skills and dexterity. This may be through arts and crafts or group games. Participants on this programme will also have the opportunity to assist or lead an older class on our English Teaching project. However, this is optional and not a mandatory requirement of the programme.

IN & AROUND PHNOM PENH

PMGY volunteers are based 90 minutes away from central, exotic Phnom Penh. Set along the banks of the mighty Mekong, Cambodia’s capital is the Asia many dream about as well as an attack on the senses. And that’s all part of the attraction!

From the glimmering spires of the Royal Palace to the trendy café culture, the city is one of the hippest in the region and fast becoming an essential feature in the itinerary of anyone travelling to South East Asia.

PMGY’s volunteer programmes in Cambodia allow you to engage with some of the most disenfranchised members of the community and see a side of this magnificent country to which the average visitor will be totally oblivious. Whilst you’re not volunteering there a number of wonders throughout the whole country that will keep you entertained.