vMaD Volunteer Cambodia FAQ's

Answers to commonly asked questions regarding volunteering in Cambodia, covering everything from landmines to currency.

Where is Cambodia? Where is Siem Reap?

Cambodia is in Southeast Asia, between Thailand and Vietnam. Siem Reap is in the Northwest of Cambodia.

How safe is it to volunteer in Cambodia?

Cambodia is a very safe Country for tourists, especially in Siem Reap. However, nowhere is perfect! As long as you exercise caution and use your common sense you should be fine (eg. don’t walk down dark alleys alone at night!).

Will I be at risk of stepping on a landmine?

There is a risk, but it is a very small one. As long as you stick to paths, and make sure you don’t wander away from your guide or someone who knows the area, you should be safe. Obviously, don’t go wandering off into a designated landmine area, and if you see a mine, do not try to pick it up! Road traffic accidents is one of the biggest causes of death in Cambodia – this is something you should be more concerned about!

How old do I have to be to apply?

For solo volunteers you have to be at least 18 years of age. But for group, family & school placements, we can usually accommodate people under 18. Contact us for more information.

What languages do I need to speak?

You will need to speak good English – this is a booming tourist town and English is nearly spoken more than Khmer here! However we do encourage all volunteers to make an effort to learn the local language, and our team will happily help you out. After all, how would you like it if someone came to your Country and made no effort to learn the language!?!

What is the climate like in Cambodia?

Cambodia is a hot and tropical Country with four main seasons: November to February is Cool and dry. March to May is Hot and dry. June to August is Hot and wet. September to early November is Cool and wet.

What are the start dates for the volunteer programs?

Our volunteer programs do not have specific start and end dates – they run all year round! It is entirely up to you to choose (though we advise you to avoid Cambodian Public Holidays!)

When do I have to arrive?

A day or two before your program start date (which you decide!).

Is food and drink included in the fee?

Yes. All volunteers receive breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as free tea, coffee and bottled water. Other drinks are available at the bar with 20% discounts for volunteers. MaD is lucky enough to have a very talented chef preparing our meals. Savonn, our head chef, is our resident culinary artist! Trained in a French run hospitality school, Savonn has experience working in some of Siem Reap’s finest restaurants, including Abacus. As a result, we are treated to restaurant quality fare each and every day! Further, our kitchen is capable of accommodating the individual dietary restrictions of volunteers, in terms of both the food produced, and the process behind the production (i.e. keeping certain foods separate). So, if you have any dietary restrictions – due to allergies, religious beliefs (Halal, Kosher, etc.), or even just a finicky palate – please be advised that we are happy to accommodate you to whatever extent our facilities allow! Inquire within for details.

Can you cater for specific dietary requirements?

Yes (see above), but please do keep in mind that some accommodations will come at an additional cost, purely because the cost of acquiring certain specialty foods is higher. Inquire within for specifics related to additional costs and the extent to which we can satisfy your requests.

Why do you not do interviews?

We do not conduct interviews for volunteers. The vast majority of our placements do not require that individuals have any specific skills or talent, only that they are of a certain character. It is extremely difficult to judge someone accurately on the basis of one interview, and we believe that our existing application procedure more effectively weeds out inappropriate candidates than phone interviews could.

What is a police check?

Police checks go by different names in different countries. It is confirmation from the police in your Country of residence that you do not have any criminal convictions. You should be able to apply for one at your local police station.

Can I sort out my own accommodation?

If you don’t want to stay in the accommodation we provide, in exceptional circumstances we may be able to rebate you some of your fee to find alternative accommodation. However, as an established local organization we can generally get better prices than you. It creates logistical problems for us having all of our volunteers spread across town, and we have to book well in advance to secure rooms at a good rate!

Do I need health / travel insurance?

We strongly advise all of our volunteers to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses. Backpacker insurance can be found online for around $20 per month.

Do I need vaccinations?

We advise you to consult your doctor or physician before travelling to Cambodia, and to follow their advice.

How much money do I need to live?

We recommend that you bring $5-$10 per day to cover any social activities, plus an extra $100 to see the many sights & sounds of Siem Reap. But with 3 meals a day, drinks, accommodation and project transport included in the fee, you could get away with bringing not much money at all!

How do I apply for a visa?

You can get a visa on arrival at the airport, and at most land crossings. A business visa costs $25 for one month, and can be extended indefinitely (a 3 month extension costs approximately $80).

How many other volunteers are there?

It varies significantly – from one up to ten! On your project, you could be the only volunteer, or you could be working with up to five others. It really depends on the time of year, and the volume of bookings we receive.

What hours will I work? Will I have time off?

Generally you will work from Monday to Friday, early morning until late afternoon, though you will need to be flexible! On your evenings and weekends you will be free to enjoy the many attractions that Siem Reap has to offer.

Where will I be living?

You will be living at MaD Base Camp (MBC) on the outskirts of Siem Reap city. You will have your own room (unless you are a couple!), complete with a fan, a comfy mattress under a mosquito net, a 19" LCD TV with cable, free WiFi access and free laundry service. You get your breakfast, lunch and dinner provided for you by professional chefs from our MaD Eatery Restaurant, which is also located on site. The MBC is located in a beautiful tropical garden, with hammocks and verandas spread across the site for you to relax in after a hard days work!

How will I get to the project?

We will pick you up from and drop you back off at MaD Base Camp in a Tuk Tuk. Project Transport is included in your volunteer fee!

Can I choose which project I will be placed with?

We will do our best to accommodate preferences, but we cannot promise anything! We can usually arrange for volunteers to spend time at more than one project if they wish, but all volunteers will be officially assigned to one project.

Will there be opportunities for travel during my stay?

During your weekends you are free to travel to Phnom Penh or elsewhere in Cambodia. If you arrange it with us in advance, you are usually free to take a day or two off your volunteer program and take a long weekend away.

Can I extend my stay?

In most cases, yes, extensions can be arranged.

How do I get to Siem Reap, Cambodia?

Siem Reap International Airport has flights to and from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Korea. Alternatively, you may want to fly into Bangkok or Vietnam, and then take a bus or taxi to Siem Reap. More information is provided in your pre-departure guide, and we are on hand to answer any specific questions. 

What do I need to bring with me?

We will explain in more detail in your pre-departure guide. But to summarise: not much! Clothes for warm weather, a laptop (if you have one and want to bring it) and your mobile phone - there are plenty of cafes in town where you can get WIFI and SIM cards available for about $15 locally.

Will I get any support from vMaD whilst I am in Cambodia?

We will give you an induction meeting on arrival, show you around town, provide you with local guidebooks, language information and answer any questions you may have. We also organize regular social events, supervise you on the project and hold regular informal progress meetings. We are available 24 hours a day, so if you ever need help with anything, we are here to help!

Will I be supported on my project?

You will be assisted by a teacher, project coordinator, or other MaD staff member at all times whilst you are volunteering on your project. For the Teaching & Child Care Program, you will be provided with basic teaching materials. We won’t just throw you into a teaching environment unprepared and unsupported, but we do expect you to be the type of person to thrive in an uncertain environment!

What is there to do in Siem Reap?

Far too much to summarize in a sentence or two! See our Siem Reap Attractions section for more information.

Can you cater for specific dietary requirements?

Yes - please contact us for more information.

Can we volunteer as a group or family?

Yes – we encourage volunteers from all walks of life to volunteer with vMaD. For more info see our Who Can Volunteer section.

Where does my money go?

Your fee pays for your accommodation, transport, food, drinks, airport pick-up and drop-off, in-country, and pre-departure support. We are a non profit organization, and all funds left over after these expenses are used to fund our charitable work. More info on how your money is spent is available in our Ethical Volunteering Policy.

How do I apply?

Download a volunteer application form, fill it in and email it back to us. For more info on the application process, click here.