It is easy to buy local SIM cards at the airport, in some shops, and at the night market in Phnom Penh.

The Samrong management appreciates having you as a volunteer and will try to be flexible.  Saturdays and Sundays are usually free from lessons and if you wish you will have time to travel to Phnom Penh or a bit further afield.  That said, if you have agreed to volunteer for a 2 week period it is not really acceptable to take 4-5 days off.

If you are volunteering for a longer period then a longer break can be negotiated should you require it.

Yes.  When you register, if you mention this on your form every effort will be made to accommodate you both.

You most certainly do.  This can be done online with an e-visa or in person when you land.  See our section on how to get here for more information.

All foreigners require a visa to enter Cambodia. Visas may be applied for from your country’s Cambodian Embassy/Consulate or via the internet.

An e-visa is simple to apply for, valid for 90 days from the date of issue and is valid for a length of stay of 30 days. It is only valid for a single entry so re-entry will require a new visa. You require a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport and the visa sticker will use a complete page so make sure you have enough pages.

Please check specifics for your country of origin.

We do not recommend travelling to Cambodia without some form of travel insurance but no specific insurance is required for volunteering.

No, but of course learning a few everyday words or phrases will be helpful and will help to make life a bit easier.  However, the children will enjoy teaching you some basics.

No, of course not but a start date must be agreed in advance and adhered to.

220 volts, AC 50 Hz.  Plug sockets in Cambodia bay be of 3 types: 3 prong UK, 2 prong round European (most common), or 2 prong flat.  It is recommended to bring an adapter and be aware of the voltage of your appliance.

There is no time scale but obviously to save disappointment the earlier the better.

Samrong Farm is about 8km from Phnom Penh International Airport.  It takes about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

We have many options.  A minimum of one week can be arrange but to allow for consistency, the follow through of projects, and for the relationship between the volunteer and children to develop we prefer a minimum of a two week period.

We have had several volunteers stay for a month or more.

By Tuk-Tuk it takes about 30-45 minutes to get to central Phnom Penh or Sisowath Quay.  If not using recommended means of transport, then make sure you have the address and a map as many drives will not know where it is.

Volunteers are expected to work between 5-8 hours a day.  The children’s schedules vary, due to having morning or afternoon schooling and some of the older children attend university and have longer hours.  Therefore, working hours can vary depending on the projects you are involved with.  There may be times when you are not involved with teaching or preparing projects and you can be helpful in other ways around the Farm.

All of your payment will go to the Farm. The administrators of this project do not charge for their time.

The total amount you pay will go directly to the running of the farm, for food and for essentials for the children, unlike many other options for organising volunteer placements, which only pass on a small percentage of the total fee you pay, (sometimes less than 10%).

As mentioned before, if you are volunteering for 2 weeks or less, it would be better to travel around the country before or after your placement, though of course, your weekends are free to do what you want. Due to distance, you may be restricted as to how far you can go. PP is within easy reach but Siem Reap (158 miles/254km) or Sinhanoukville (112 miles/181km) although not that far in distance, may take at least 6-7 hours travelling, one way.

Compared to western standards Cambodia is relatively cheap.  Cambodia is rapidly expanding in the international travel market and this in turn means higher prices.  Naturally, depending on standards and quality, it can be possible to live on US$5-10 per day; bargains can be found but need to be negotiated.

There is Wi-Fi at Samrong but it may not be the consistent or strong signal that you are used to.

The rooms for volunteers can be set up for individual or double occupancy.  We realise some people like to have their own space, equally others prefer to share.

Cambodian currency is the Riel.  The US Dollar is widely used and is about 4000HKR to US$1. (February 2017)

No qualifications are required but a good command of English is essential.  A willingness to ‘muck in’, be outgoing and be adaptable are advantageous but are not essential.

Childhood immunisation for MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Diptheria, Polio and Tetanus should be up to date.

Hepatitis A and B, and Typhoid are highly recommended.

Cholera, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies are recommended.

There is some risk of Malaria in more rural areas but nowadays many Doctors do not recommend prophylaxis due to increasing drug resistance and recommend practising Mosquito Bite Avoidance by using repellent and covering exposed skin. This is highly practical advice as there is no medication to prevent Dengue, Chikungunya or Zika which may also be transmitted by mosquito bites but are not a serious risk unless pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Immunisation can be expensive but it is important. You may find that Hospitals in Asia can provide immunisation at a lower price than at home but some vaccines may require more than one shot, several weeks apart so plan ahead.

There are several car/motorcycle hire shops in Phnom Penh and on Sisowath Quay.  Word of warning though, the traffic is hectic and not for novice riders.

If you want to volunteer, by choosing Samrong you will make a big difference to the lives of the children there.  You may not feel that you have much to offer but just by being there you can enrich the lives of the children, provide additional support to the staff, and gain valuable experience.