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FAQs Cambodia
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 4 steps of application
- There are two options for applying to volunteer in Kenya through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 deposit (this deposit will be deducted from your final program fee.) This program deposit is required to make an application valid.
- Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Kenya for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.
- Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
- Preparation for trips should include reading about Kenya , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.
- Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Kenya staff who will arrange an airport pickup.
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| Visa : |
Though volunteers can acquire a Visa upon arrival in Phnom Penh , we strongly suggest volunteers acquire a tourist Visa in their home country before departing for Cambodia . This saves you significant time and the hassle of filling forms and waiting in long lines once you've arrived in Cambodia . The visa is your entry permit into any foreign country, you risk not begin allowed access by arriving without it. There are no volunteer visas, so volunteers should apply for a tourist visa.
Please find the Cambodia Embassy Abroad below:
http://www.embassyworld.com/dev/result.php?guest=36&host=%25&count=0&menu=1
USA
Embassy of Cambodia ,
4530 16th Street, NW
Washington , DC 20011
p. 202.726.7742
f. 202.726.8381
E-mail: mail@embassyofcambodia.org
Canada (Contact US Embassy for information)
UK
Royal Embassy of Cambodia
64 Brondesbury Park,
Willesden Green, London NW6 7AT ,
United Kingdom
Tel: (0208) 451 7850
Fax: (0207) 483 9061
E-mail: cambodianembassy@btconnect.com
Web: www.cambodianembassy.org.uk
Australia
Royal Embassy of Cambodia
No. 5 Canterbury Crescent ,
Deakin , A.C.T. 2600, AUSTRALIA
Tel: ( 612 ) 6273 1259, 6273 1154,
Fax: ( 612 ) 6273 1053
Email: Cambodianembassy@ozemail.com.au
Web: www.embassyofcambodia.org.nz |
| Health and safety : |
Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to Cambodia . We suggest you visit some of the websites listed below.
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
WHO Cambodia ( http://www.who.int/countries/en/ )
General Health Tips for volunteer in Cambodia
- Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
- Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact to avoid being sold tap water in a resealed bottle.
- Watch out for spicy dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Don't eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
- Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to Cambodia ) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.
- If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions. Beware of the health effects that the mid day sun may cause, most importantly SUN BURN or DEHYDRATION.
- Pharmacies or chemists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low (less than a dollar) compared to western countries.
In Cambodia , most modern medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is wise with any prescription drugs you require, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include remedy for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc. |
| Vaccination : |
We strongly recommended volunteers to get vaccination before travel. Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications by CDC (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationCambodia.aspx)
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Southeast Asia including Cambodia .. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
Routine: Recommended if you are not up-to-date with routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, etc.
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG): Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in countries with an intermediate or high level of hepatitis A virus infection (see map) where exposure might occur through food or water. Cases of travel-related hepatitis A can also occur in travelers to developing countries with "standard" tourist itineraries, accommodations, and food consumption behaviors.
Typhoid: Recommended for all unvaccinated people traveling to or working in Southeast Asia , especially if visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives where exposure might occur through food or water.
Polio: Recommended for adult travelers who have received a primary series with either inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) or oral polio vaccine (OPV). They should receive another dose of IPV before departure.
Japanese encephalitis : Recommended if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis, see country-specific information.
Hepatitis B: Recommended for all unvaccinated persons traveling to or working in countries with intermediate to high levels of endemic HBV transmission (see map) and who might be exposed to blood or body fluids, have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment, such as for an accident, and for all adults requesting protection from HBV infection.
Rabies : Recommended for travelers spending a lot of time outdoors, especially in rural areas, involved in activities such as bicycling, camping, hiking, or work. Also, children are considered at higher risk because they tend to play with animals and may not report bites. |
| Money Matter : |
What is the exchange rate? Where should I change my dollars? Can I use my debit card or credit card? Should I bring traveler's checks?
Find the Exchange Rate of Cambodia Riels http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi
The local currency is the Cambodia Riels. You can change your money upon arrival to Phnom Penh International Airport . There are many bank counters at the airport. We suggest you change $400 in the beginning as you can change money in any bank (some banks are near to our office).
Your credit card information can be stolen and used fraudulently just by making a credit card payment. For this reason, cash and travelers checks are suggested to settle most accounts. You will have trouble paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them at local banks. Traveler's checks are recommended as a safe way to carry money with you, make sure you write down the check numbers and contact information you need to cancel stolen checks. Different brands of traveler's checks work better in different countries so consult your local financial institution about which company you should buy your checks from.
Travelers should have a credit card for large and emergency purchases so you won't go broke if something goes wrong. If you've requested a pin number for your credit card, you can use it to get cash advances at the ATM.
You can also carry a debit card that can be used at ATM's to withdraw local currency. Debit card is the best way of getting money and ATM vendors are available in major bank and department store in Phnom Penh . Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but not accepted in smaller cities.
How much money you bring depends on your personal spending habits. Thrifty people can get by on less than $10/day. Your budget should also include money to explore Cambodia in free time as well as for your personal use. A good rule of thumb for money management is the 1/3 method, bring 1/3 cash, 1/3 traveler's check and leave 1/3 of your money in your account - plus a credit card for emergencies. |
| Field Support and supervision: |
Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff will stay in touch with volunteers. We visit our volunteers every 2-4 weeks (in Phnom Penh ). During busy season and when a volunteer's project is a long distance from the office our local staff maintains communication by email and by phone. Our Cambodia coordinator maintains a 24/7 mobile phone so you can call him at any time. In many occasions, our local partners assign a local mentor or support volunteers. |
| Communication : |
Volunteers are requested to bring their mobile phone. Once you arrive in Cambodia , you can change sim-card and use it. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and Rustic Volunteer Travel office in Cambodia . Internet Café's are available in most areas of Phnom Penh . |
| Climate of Cambodia: |
Take advantage of the Web which can bring you current weather and forecasts for your destination:
The Weather Channel: www.weather.com
The Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/44454.html (www.wunderground.com)
Nepal has a diverse climate; summer is normally the hot, humid and rainy season. Winter is cold in the morning and warm during the daytime. The temperature drops during winter nights. Volunteers should bring appropriate clothing according to the season and activities. The months of fall and spring are wonderful.
*Please bring a raincoat in June-July-August
Temperatures in Degrees Celsius (maximum - minimum Temperature)
AVERAGE RAINFALL IN NEPAL
Take advantage of the Web which can bring you current weather and forecasts for your destination:
Yahoo Weather: http://weather.yahoo.com/regional/CBXX.html (www.weather.yahoo.com)
The Weather Channel: www.weather.com
The Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=cambodia
Situated in the tropical zone, Cambodia is bathed in sun almost all year around. There are two main seasons: the rainy season and dry. Each season brings about a refreshing change. The humid, rainy season lasts from April to October. Temperatures range from 27-35 degrees Celsius. The hottest month is April when the temperature can reach 41 degree C these days. The cool, dry season lasts from November to March, with temperatures ranging from 17-27 degrees C. December to January is the coolest period at about 27 degrees C.
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| Materials to Bring |
Most of stuffs of daily use are available in Cambodia at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things.
• Camera
• Mobile phone (you can use mobile phone after changing sim card)
• Sleeping bag
• Mosquito repellents
• Insect repellents
• Sun-block
• Working gloves (if you are joining conservation or construction project)
• Some books about Cambodia
• Map of Cambodia
• Toiletries
• First aid kit
• Flash light
• Electricity adopter/converter
• Sun glasses
• Footwear (for work and travel)
• Towel |
| Gift for Host Family and Project |
It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the family that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown logo, or pictures of your family and some local post cards.
If you want to bring gifts for your project (and if you are working for an orphanage or a school please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing. |
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