BSDA Volunteers come from all kinds of backgrounds. Newly graduated, mid-career, or retired and wanting to help to improve the communities abroad by using their skills.
Our programs have different time commitments and requirements. All offer the opportunity to serve Cambodian vulnerable people and make a difference in the world.
We are always looking for passionate people to help us have as much impact as possible.
If you are at least 18 years old, ready to get involved with us for a 3 to 12 months unforgettable experience, you are welcome! Volunteers prepared to stay for 6 months or more can be offered free food and accommodation for the duration of their stay.
Thank you for choosing to volunteer with BSDA. By reading this page, we hope that you will find a brief introduction about our organization and Kampong Cham. It should be used as a reference. For up-to-date information it is advisable to consult locals.
To ensure that you have a productive professional experience, it is important to meet with the Executive Director and your supervisor during your first few days. Proactively scheduling regular meetings with your co-workers will also help to prioritize your work appropriately and have the support needed to accomplish tasks. Monthly or quarterly, international volunteer meetings open lines of communication. with the management team.
As volunteer will work in contact with BSDA’s children, we ask a criminal records check from the volunteer’s country and send their certificate to BSDA. One of our staff will get in touch with you to arrange this. You should be able to find information online about how to obtain this certificate.
British citizens can arrange a check online here: www.onlinedbschecks.co.uk
French citizens can apply here: www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20
Volunteers should check the latest visa information on the website of the Cambodian embassy in their own country. There are two options; tourist or business (name now normal or ordinary), both valid for 30 days only and need to be extended if you plan to stay longer in Cambodia.
The main difference is that with the tourist visa is single entry only, and can be renewed once for an additional 30 days while ordinary visa is multiple entry and can be extended without having to leave Cambodia for 3, 6 months or a year, as many times as you want.
Volunteers are rarely asked for evidence of the work they will be doing in Cambodia, but it is a good idea to have some with you.
To get to Phnom Penh city center from the airport, there are tuk-tuks waiting outside the airport. Alternatively, you can take a cab or a motodop. If spending the night, many tourists choose to stay by Wat Lanka in the BKK (Boeung Keng Kang) or by the riverside.
To get to Kampong Cham from Phnom Penh, most people choose to take a bus. Sorya bus company is good and the station is located by the Central Market. Tickets are around $5 for a 3 hours ride.
Many volunteers choose to stay in a guest house/hotel when they first arrive. Moon River, Monorom VIP or Da Ry are close to the office. For the volunteering period, many people look for a roommate and decide to rent an apartment. Around « LICADO » there are many houses where you can rent an apartment for around 100$/month per person. There is another apartment where you can rent a room for around 30$/month near by the Phnom Penh Bakery.
You should seek medical advice before traveling to Cambodia to get the most up-to-date information about vaccinations and anti-malarial if necessary. Should you have any health concerns whilst in Kampong Cham, there are many pharmacies (the Central pharmacy by the roundabout next to the Kizuna bridge is a reliable option). There is also a hospital and doctors.
If something serious happen, Phnom Penh has many high-quality doctors. Likewise, if you require dental treatment, it is recommended that you seek a quality private dentist in Phnom Penh.
I joined BSDA in 2015 to help out with project planning, reporting and proposal writing. I immediately felt welcome. Working with BSDA has been a wonderful and rewarding experience and I am grateful to them for letting me be part of their family.
BSDA has an inspiring background story and the staff are motivated to make positive impact in the community. It was an amazing opportunity to learn about Buddhism and NGO industry. I also learned new skills that has helped me in my professional career. Overall, I would recommend people to volunteer for BSDA because it’s an organization that has their heart in the right place.
To make sure your application is fully complete, please download the BSDA Policy and the Code of Conduct for Child Protection, read it carefully, sign it and send us back!