PROJECT OVERVIEW
You'll teach disadvantaged children in a rural village school on the paradise island Koh Rong Samloem off the coast of Sihanoukville. There are approximately 80 children on the island who are in desperate need of education. They range from Kindergarten (4 years) through to teenagers aged 16. The school itself is very small with just two class rooms. The children who attend the school are very poor and many also do other jobs on the island at the same time, such as fishing and farming. Although some English is taught in the school, it often taught by local people (Khmers) who also have difficulty with the language. The teachers are in desperate need for any help they can get.

The schools are very different to schools in Western countries and the children have a hunger to learn, particularly from native speakers. When you're not teaching, you can walk or ride around the villages and interact with the local people. You can also play volleyball, pool, visit the jungle on the island or go swimming or diving - there is a lot to do.

Facilities in villages on the island are well below the basic standard. Cambodian children have a cultural and moral obligation to help and provide financial support to their parents once they grow up, so they are often forced to leave the villages in order to seek a better education and ultimately a way to financially support their parents. This often proves exceptionally challenging and, unfortunately, many of the children resort to easier, more drastic measures such as factory work, drug trafficking, theft, prostitution. The organisation we work with on this teaching project (MCC) hopes to provide the villages with alternative options by supplying the best possible education for the children so that the children will stay in the village and also help support the families. This is why your work here is so important to the village. 

This project has two possible aspects, teaching and community involvement. You'll be encouraged to get involved with the beach clear up, which may also include snorkelling out in the waters to help collect rubbish. You're also likely to have a direct involvement with daily life in the village, a great opportunity to learn about the people and the community. To add to your enjoyment, you can also take optional lessons in the Khmer language. You'll probably be much in demand from the locals as well who will want to practice their English on you!

You may also get involved in other subjects, like Drama, Arts or Sport. Like most children, they also love sports. Just imagine ... you could be playing either beach volley ball or soccer by the crystal clear waters while at the same time helping the children to improve their English in an informal setting.

Many of the children at the school are not used to seeing Westerners, so you may find yourself being the centre of attention - they'll welcome you into their school and you'll soon find that Cambodia feels like a second home. All of the children and teachers are incredibly welcoming and friendly!

WORK CONTENT:

WORKING HOURS:
You'll normally work around 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. However, you can do less or more, should you wish. Initially, you may act as an assistant to the English teacher, helping take small groups and practice conversational English. Once your confidence grows, you may be put in charge of the class and asked to help within other areas, such as sport or drama, if you have an interest in these.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN CAMBODIA:
School holidays can differ quite widely. Normally there are 5 term breaks in the year for schools throughout Cambodia. The term breaks vary from state to state, but generally they fall roughly during the later part of the months of January, March and October, with a three month break over July, August and September. However, because this is an independent school, classes tend to go on throughout the year, regardless of holidays, so you will be able to do your placement at any time through the year.

QUALIFICATIONS
Don't worry about not having special qualifications. The whole idea of Travellers is to provide any help possible, whether it is merely enabling children to hear English pronunciation from native English speakers, or providing additional help with other academic subjects or showing them how to use a computer - anything you can offer is very much appreciated and everyone knows you're not a qualified teacher. The emphasis is on much-needed language development, additional learning and cultural contact. It gives your pupils valuable experience.

We provide you with a Teaching Guide and suggestions on inexpensive resources to take with you. Children are always fascinated with volunteers and want to learn as much as possible about you. They love to hear stories about you, your family and where you are from so it is ideal to take pictures, maps, magazine articles and photos of your family and friends with you. You can also use these as excellent resources for a lesson to promote discussion and interest.