Volunteering in Cambodia

Working at CPOC Foundation

Cultivate a heart of love that knows no anger. - Cambodian Proverb

Travelling is more about fulfilling a personal need to experience another way of life, it becomes less about what you can do for others. At this point in our travel, we wanted to make it more about impacting the lives of others. After viewing positive reviews of CPOC Foundation on WorkAway.com and their Facebook page, we contacted Mr. Kim.

DAY 1
​
Mr. Kim arranged for our pick up from Mondial Center (an area where a lot of weddings take place). The journey was quite lengthy as the minivan picked up other passengers, but we managed to make it to the drop off point and paid our $5 USD each. Next up was climbing on the back of a motorbike for a 10 or so minute ride to CPOC. The $2 USD ride was a bit nerve racking as the driver tried to balance my backpack between his legs, as well as try to talk to me in Khmer and navigate the bumpy roads.
​
Upon arrival we were greeted by volunteers, Kim and Antonin. Dropping our bags at the volunteer shop, we were whisked away on a tour of the house, farm animals, school and finally back to the shop. 

​As a class was already in progress, we watched as Antonin taught Vid (a boy living at the foundation) how to use the tools to help build a washing machine. For those of you back home, a washing machine is a luxury you miss as you travel, and the amount of clothes the children wash everyday, it can definitely improve their lives to wash in bulk. 

The volunteer shop is run by the volunteers and all proceeds go back into the orphanage. The ultimate goal is to make the shop profitable enough as to fund volunteer projects at the orphanage (for example, building a washing machine) and not rely on outside donations.

​Around 7 pm we were called for dinner by the girls. The girls at the orphanage are the ones who cook everyone lunch and dinner. Typically, it consists of some sort of vegetable with/without meat and rice. The rest of the night was spent chilling in the shop with the other volunteers, as the children go to bed at 9 pm. 

Total Cost = $17 USD

• Tuk Tuk Ride to Mondial $7 USD
• Minivan Ride $5 USD
• Motorbike Ride $2 USD
• Accommodation at CPOC Foundation $3 USD