Located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s 14.8 million inhabitants live under the constitutional monarchy that has been in place in the country since the 1990s. As one of Asia’s fastest growing economies with 6% growth each year, Cambodia is famous for its textiles, agriculture, garment production, tourism, and recently the discovery of oil and natural gas deposits that has led to significant foreign investment.

As a country with a deep history of empires, colonialism, and war, as well as a supermajority of Cambodians practicing Theravada Buddhism, and with 50% of the country under 22 years of age, Cambodia is a delight for those interested in how history, religion, and modernity shape the society of a country as a whole. Possessing a tropical climate with a variety of wildlife and plants, Cambodia is also perfect for the warm-weather seeking volunteer.

Interested yet? The following are just a couple organizations available for your Cambodian adventure!

Plan My Gap Year Cambodia

Plan My Gap Year (PMGY) is dedicated to providing assistance in organizing gap years for college students and recent graduates without the messiness and expenses found with most travel companies. PMGY is primarily centered on volunteer opportunities in Asia, as the founders, who are volunteer alums and lovers of travel in Asia, have the most connections there. Plan My Gap Year expanded to South Africa in the spring of 2012, and is excited to launch more volunteer programs across Africa as well in the coming months.

Plan My Gap Year Cambodia provides three main opportunities for volunteers: teaching English and providing disadvantaged youth the tools necessary to find employment and break the cycle of poverty, working with NGO’s dedicated human rights, and serving the children of an orphanage in one of the country’s poorest cities.

• Location: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang
• Program Duration: 2 weeks to 6 months (depending on project area)
• Accommodations: Home-stays or volunteer housing
• Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
• For more information, check out: www.planmygapyear.co.uk/cambodia

Projects Abroad: Conservation and Environment Volunteering in Cambodia

Projects Abroad, founded in 1992, is one of the most popular volunteer abroad organizations in the world, placing over 8,000 volunteers in service projects and internships overseas each year. With project sites all over the world, Projects Abroad offers a variety of experiences for volunteers while also providing integration support for the volunteer in each of the hundreds of projects available. Only 20 years old and 40,000 volunteers strong, Projects Abroad is dedicated to providing meaningful volunteer services that impact not only the target community, but the volunteer as well through mutual learning and cultural exchanges.

Projects Abroad Conservation and Environment Volunteering in Cambodia provides volunteers unique opportunities for marine and environmental conservation projects, particularly in marine conservation and preventing illegal fishing and monitoring fish populations through surveys in relation to development and growth within the country’s economy that threaten species survival. Diving projects available include both marine surveying and salvage diving to investigate and study the biodiversity of the coral reef area while also removing debris and garbage from the sea.

Volunteers can also choose to work on community projects in the local village that includes environmental awareness activities for children, such as beach clean-ups and educational classes, or simply by serving in a youth center, teaching English at a local school, and performing other physical tasks such as gardening.

A health clinic was recently set up, so medical volunteers are needed as well!

• Location: The island of Koh Rong Samleom
• Accommodations: Volunteer bungalow
• Duration: 2 weeks+ (depending on project)
• For more information, check out: www.projects-abroad.org

And these are only two of the many amazing volunteer opportunities you can find throughout Cambodia. Have suggestions or stories of your own? Post them below!

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

Since January, I have been studying in the beautiful city of Leiden, the Netherlands, through my home institution, Central College. Over the past four months I have had great experiences, met amazing people, and fallen in love with the city that Albert Einstein and John Adams both used to call home. The following are my top 10 reasons to visit Leiden—although I assure you there are many more!

Family Orientation

While the entire country of the Netherlands is arguably very family-orientated with its policies on child welfare and education, as a smaller municipality, Leiden is arguably the most family friendly city I have ever visited. Not only do parents work normal 9—5 schedules, but stores and shops also close around 6pm daily to better suit the family atmosphere and keep away the hustle and bustle feel of larger cities like Amsterdam.

Children can safely play in the streets while their parents are either inside or nearby, and it’s safe for children to ride their bicycles around town unaccompanied. Most restaurants have both indoor and outdoor seating, so accommodation to a child’s needs and preferences is always possible. No matter who you are or where you come from, Leiden is sure to give you the feeling of being at home with your family.

Location

Leiden is centrally located in the Netherlands, and is less than an hour by train away from other cities, such as The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, and many other historic sites. A short train or bus ride will also take you to the beach, tulip gardens and fields, and more! Bike trails also connect Leiden to its neighboring villages and cities, so you can get your exercise while travelling about!

Universities

Home to the oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden University, as well as American schools such as Webster University (based out of St. Louis, MO) and Central College (Pella, IA—my home institution!), the streets of Leiden are constantly filled with international students and faculty. I have personally been living in an international dorm building, and have shared my evenings with students from all over the world.

Another great aspect about Leiden being a university city—international nights hosted at various pubs across the city allow students to meet each other, network, and share experiences. There’s also a variety of other clubs and pubs that fit every age and interest—from sports bars to discos.

People

The international community is the not the only group of fantastic people to encounter. The Dutch and native Leiden citizens themselves are wonderful—always friendly and willing to help the lost traveler! I have found everyone to be not only accommodating and thoughtful, but generally interested in the stories of visitors and their homes as well. And the best part? Nearly everyone you will encounter speaks English, so the city is incredibly tourist friendly for those who cannot speak Dutch.

Museums and Churches

Like most other cities in Europe, Leiden is home to some great museums and old churches. Did you know Leiden was the city in which the Puritans took asylum while waiting to board the Mayflower for passage to America? In Leiden you will find not only a museum dedicated to the pilgrims, but the church they built as well.

Also in Leiden—an ancient Egyptian museum full of mummies, art museums that feature Rembrandt (a Dutchman himself), and a fort built nearly a thousand years ago to protect the Dutch from invading Norseman, just to name a few!

History

Leiden preserves its rich history not only through the preserving of its historical sites, but the entire city is treated as a historical site itself. Roads are paved in cobblestone and brick, traditional brick homes line the many canals that run though the city, and even the interior of some of the city’s oldest homes cannot be altered without government approval. Imagine, walking on the same road, past the same canal every day that the likes of Albert Einstein or John Adams (who lived in Leiden while serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands; you can see his house to the right!)—the Leiden you see today is almost exactly the Leiden that was seen centuries ago.

Safety

If you are concerned about safety while travelling—fear not! Leiden is an exceptionally safe city both during the day and at night. You are more likely to stumble into the canal after a few too many Heinekens during international pub night than encounter any danger due to criminal behavior. Typical safety rules still apply—such as advising women not to walk around at night alone; however, know that crime rates are low and access to potentially threatening weapons such as guns and pepper-spray are illegal in the country.

Accessibility

Leiden is easily accessible, both within the city and from outside. Within the city, buses regularly circulate and taxis are always available. The city is also home to an NS train station—the major train company in the country—meaning you are easily connected to cities from all around the Netherlands. Trains are frequent and run 24 hours per day, with fewer trains in the late night hours.

Biking and Canal Touring

Want a less conventional way of touring a city? Tired of walking and bus riding? Biking is a fantastic option in Leiden, as most citizens bike everywhere themselves, and the roads are biker friendly. You can rent a bike by the hour or day—so whatever your needs, you have one available to you. Canal touring is also another option—whether you choose to take a guided tour or cruise alone in a kayak or canoe that are always available for rental.

Volunteer Network

Volunteer opportunities are plentiful! Whether you enjoy park cleanup, teaching children how to respectfully play with and care for farm animals, walking dogs from the animal shelter, or wrapping fair trade items made in Africa to be shipped across the world—Leiden is home to some great volunteer spots!

So, have you been to the Netherlands? What’s your favorite spot? Post your tips and stories below!

As you may know, I have been studying in Leiden, the Netherlands, this semester through my home institution, Central College (I will talk more about Leiden in a blog to come!). Throughout the course of my time here, many things have become evident—such as the necessity of canals in Dutch cities to prevent flooding, the popularity of Dutch cheese, and not surprisingly, the importance of family and instilling a sense of social and community responsibility in one’s children.

As a result, it is estimated that approximately 30—40% of the Dutch population takes part in some type of volunteer or community service project each year, and are usually active in more than one project or organization. In Leiden alone, Volunteer Day took place on March 16^th and 17^th, and the streets were filled with people out and about helping others, whether through assisting an animal shelter, making crafts with children with disabilities, or cleaning one of the city’s canals or parks.

Similar to in the United States, it is generally older, married individuals who volunteer the most, and typical projects that the Dutch care to volunteer for the most include programs for sports and hobbies, environmental associations, youth and children, religion, political affiliations, trade unions, women’s organizations, and other various aid organizations, whether they be dedicated to the Netherlands or abroad. However, the Dutch are not just willing to donate their time, but they also donate their money, and it is estimated that over 1.5% of the country’s GDP goes toward charitable giving each year.

For the Dutch who are looking to get involved, volunteer resource centers, such as Vrijwilligers Centrale (www.vca.nu/english) and i doe (www.i-doe.nl/), exist all over the country for assistance in finding an organization that is the perfect fit. For travelers or students studying abroad who are looking for a volunteer experience in the Netherlands, these resource centers also provide the information and support needed for a successful volunteer experience. These resource centers can generally be found in tourist information guides; however, don’t be surprised if organizations turn you down due to your short stay or their lack of need—many of these organizations are already full of volunteers, which is great, but makes it difficult for the international volunteer wanting to lend a hand!

Here is a look at just a couple organizations that are available to you in the Netherlands:

Humanitas

With over 600 projects for volunteers to work on, Humanitas provides those who suffer from loneliness and grief the level of human support needed for a healthy recovery. Since 1945 Humanitas has become the leading welfare organization in the Netherlands. Each year over 11,000 volunteers (supervised by over 300 professionals) assist their clients, approximately 40,000 per year, in finding the confidence they need to get back on their feet, provide the elderly assistance in what is known as active aging, and overall helping all ages participate in society. With 90 local chapters supported in 5 districts throughout the Netherlands, Humanitas reaches the country at large.

Volunteers are typically recruited for work in housing and care of the elderly, persons with disabilities, children, and other kinds of social services such as financial assistance.

Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and have a prolonged service to the organization.

For more information, check out: www.humanitas.nl

Plan Netherlands

Plan Netherlands has been working since 1975 in some of the most complex circumstances to provide children, particularly young girls, the support they need in over 50 countries of the developing world. Plan International (a worldwide organization founded in 1937, not unique to the Netherlands!) strives to ensure a safe environment for the millions of children around the world that grow up in poverty while also providing basic health care and the means to an education so that they might see a better future. Through providing girls with the same opportunities and rights as boys, Plan Netherlands also tries to break traditional gender roles and stereotypes that often keep communities impoverished and families without the economic means to sustain their household.

Volunteers are always needed at Plan Netherlands, and can work on a variety of projects such as event organizing, participating in nationwide actions and events, providing assistance at the main office, serving as a press and media expert, assisting in selling merchandise (of which the proceeds go to the cause), and distributing publicity materials. Jobs also frequently open, especially for networking, coordinating, and translating!

Internships are also available!

For more information, check out: www.plannederland.nl/watwijdoen

World Relief is an organization that has been dedicated to serving those in need since the aftermath of World War II. A national organization based in the United States, World Relief has offices all over the country, but all with the same determination: to provide vulnerable communities around the world the resources they need to lift themselves from devastating situations and live a life of dignity, a life that everyone deserves. World Relief is dedicated to serving those who cannot provide for themselves in fulfillment of the Christian values they are committed to preserving.

Types of Work

Throughout the United States, churches work closely with World Relief in initiatives that include education, health care, child development, agriculture and food security, anti-trafficking, immigrant services, micro-enterprise, disaster response, refugee resettlement, and more. They strive to serve those most in need—whether they be widows and orphans, persons displaced by war, survivors of natural disasters, or those seeking asylum—working with them to not only heal, but become empowered economically, socially, and spiritually.

Volunteers and interns are always needed in World Relief’s many offices, specifically in equipping churches and communities to help the victims of natural disasters, hunger, poverty, war, and political or spiritual persecution. Volunteers are also able to serve internationally in order to gain a better understanding of Christian relief and development work abroad. Volunteer and intern positions can range in time commitment from two months to two years of unpaid service, so dedication to the vision of the organization is key.

If you’re interested in volunteering or interning with World Relief but are not able to cover your expenses, look into fundraising options, as well as assistance from you college, university, or church, as they oftentimes have relationships with the World Relief office in your area.

In The U.S.

Offices within the U.S. span across the country, including the states of California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Maryland. Each of the 23 offices has a shared mission of serving thousands of refugees each year, generally victims of war and persecution, who are integrating into life in the United States, making it the biggest evangelical refugee assistance agency in America. Volunteers at each office are responsible for helping assist refugees in adjusting to American culture, finding employment, learning English, finding schools for their children, and taking the necessary legal steps towards becoming a citizen. Every volunteer makes a positive impact on the lives of refugees, especially those with children who are the most vulnerable.

Worldwide

Because a heartbreakingly low number of individuals are able to immigrate to the U.S. as refugees each year, global offices exist to serve those in some of the poorest and least developed countries on earth. Global offices include Burundi, Cambodia, China, Congo Darfur, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Kosovo, Malawi, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Sudan, and Zambia, where World Relief works alongside local churches and communities as well as partnering with other organizations, serving approximately 2.8 million annually in the areas of maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, child development, agriculture and food security, disaster response, and reliable microfinance.

Giving

Not only does World Relief provide great volunteer and internship experiences for those passionate about serving refugees in the United States and those in need across the world, but you can also purchase a gift (in your name or someone else’s) for an individual, family, or community around the world. Examples include: a volleyball for youth in Indonesia, a goat for a family in Haiti or Zimbabwe, counseling for a victim recovering from human trafficking, backpacks, chickens, and more! Ethical gift buying for the holiday season? Check.

For more information on this awesome organization, check out www.worldrelief.org

Photo and logo credits: Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy volunteering with children? Want to help bring joy and love to an amazing group of human beings (and their families!) that were handed some of life’s toughest circumstances? Then volunteering in pediatric wards may be the right choice for you! Whether done at home or abroad, volunteers who serve in pediatric wards bring smiles and comfort for children who are in need of the extra love and play time—not to mention the assistance given to the medical staff that serves them full time. Volunteering in pediatric wards is a sure way to impact the lives of every person involved in that child’s life, making it a truly inspiring type of volunteering that most people overlook.

The following are just a few of the benefits to consider while deciding if volunteering in a pediatric ward is right for you:

Benefits to the Children

Children that are living in or frequently visiting pediatric wards at hospitals are terminally ill and/or fighting cancer or another serious illness, have generally lived in the hospital for an extended period of time, and are approximately 6—12 years old. Volunteers who visit weekly give these children human interaction outside of their families, doctors, and nurses—giving them something to look forward to that provides positive energy these children need to be happy and hopeful. Having a friend and role model that they can expect visits from, whether it be to play, read, talk, watch movies with, etc., allows them to escape the hospital setting with an outside friend that isn’t upset or asking questions about how they feel. Being treated like a child is what these kids crave!

Benefits to the Families

Accepting the reality of your child’s terminal illness is one of the greatest horrors that can ever be thrust upon a parent. Dealing with the gravity of the situation is oftentimes too much for the parents and other family members to handle, and it naturally becomes difficult to stay positive and provide comfort, while also treating the child like a normal child. Volunteers of pediatric wards provide these families a small break to personally deal with the tragedy as to remain in the best demeanor for their child—an outlet for support and comfort.

Benefits to the Medical Staff

Volunteers in pediatric wards also provide great assistance to the medical staff of the ward, as it places less of an obligation on the staff to give attention to the kids while they are busy with other tasks. Although volunteers are not able to help with medical treatments, they are oftentimes asked to assist in keeping the play areas neat, so providing a bit of assistance in that area allows the staff to focus on their main priority of medically serving the children. The staff has emotionally draining work, so extra help is always appreciated.

Benefits to the Volunteer

Quite possibly the person that will benefit most from the experience of volunteering in pediatric wards is the volunteer himself/herself. Not only will hanging out with some of the most exceptional and resilient children and adults in the world give the volunteer a great sense of happiness, but it is also a platform for providing the volunteer inner strength, grounding, and a new perspective on one’s place in the world and how the miracle of life is truly precious.

Fast Facts

• Long-term volunteers only! These children need a friendly face and stability.
• Volunteers must also be present frequently—about once a week. No floaters need apply!
• Volunteers must apply through the hospital they wish to serve. Volunteer organizations that provide pediatric volunteering placements are scarce and probably a bit sketchy.
• Volunteers are oftentimes required to submit recommendations, background checks, fingerprints, etc.
• Hospitals with pediatric wards generally have a shortage of volunteers because many people are not comfortable with the situation, so opportunities are almost always available!
• Most volunteers in pediatric wards range in age 16—26, but note that depending on hospital policy, the minimum age may be 18.

Be prepared for the most rewarding, yet probably challenging, experience of your life!

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons