GSC works with a unique children's center outside of Phnom Penh to bring light and happiness into the lives of children who have been orphaned because they are HIV+ or whose parents have died from AIDS. Initially envisioned as a resource for educating the community about HIV and caring for people dying from AIDS, with the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs the center now feels more like an extended family than a hospice for the hopeless. The children are healthy, happy, playful, and loving, and are quick to warm up to visiting volunteers. Despite the children’s unbelievably difficult histories, I believe that [the children's center] is the happiest place on earth. It’s a place without time, a place of acceptance, a place of second chances and a place where family is not defined by who your parents are or were. It’s also a place where children who would have otherwise been abandoned are being nurtured and told they can reach beyond the small dusty village they grew up in. I found the children were eager to learn, held a deep appreciation for any and all visitors, constantly displayed their love and affection, and demanded that I live with them in the moment. These kids took absolutely nothing for granted, and their love of life was infectious. Living there I soon became a part of their extended family. (Excerpt taken from the children's center website)
The children's center is staffed by local community members who are committed to raising the children to young adulthood, helping them transition back into the community, and supporting those who pursue university or vocational school once they leave. The center provides housing, nutrition, medicine, and education to the children as well as supplemental food, medical care, and HIV education to the surrounding community. Jointly established by an American Christian and a Cambodian Buddhist, the atmosphere of tolerance goes beyond simply religious acceptance. What truly makes the center unique in Cambodia is the rare opportunity for HIV-infected and non-infected children to live together as family, sharing homes and meals and playing together. This sets an example for the community, and its effect on increasing tolerance and diminishing fear cannot be overstated. GSC volunteers have the opportunity to become part of the center’s extended family as they live, work, and play with the children and bond with the local staff. Volunteers assist the staff by organizing a range of activities for the children that will allow them to share their own passions and talents. The possibilities for contributing are endless and may include teaching basic English, planning educational games, and leading any range of sports, art, dance, and other creative activities. As a GSC volunteer, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor and a friend to the warm and loving children you will meet.
The Orphanage Care Program is open year-round with projects ranging from two-weeks to six-months or longer. For participants who are interested in teaching English or HIV/AIDS prevention at a day center for street children check out GSC’s Teach English Abroad Program, HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention Program, and International Health Program.
NEW SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM AT THE CHILDREN'S CENTER!
While love, kindness, and service are the main forces that help the children's center to run, money can oftentimes be hard to come by. In an effort to increase the self-sufficiency of the center and in turn make it less dependent on donations, GSC is implementing and improving a range of sustainable projects to boost food security including gardening, composting, recycling, and waste management. The goal of the program is to not only provide healthy food for the children but also to train local community members in agriculture techniques that will help them to increase their own food yields for consumption and sale.
As the Sustainable Agriculture Program is just getting started, much of the work will be development oriented and will require volunteers to be flexible as they boost garden production, establish a demonstration plot, and build relationships with local community members and organizations. Along with working on agricultural projects, volunteers will also have the opportunity to spend part of their time playing with, supporting, and mentoring the children at the center. GSC is currently accepting volunteers with a background and relevant experience in agriculture who are self-starters able to work with minimal supervision. In these early stages, this program requires a minimum commitment of four weeks to provide ample time for volunteers to make meaningful contributions to this developing project.
Contact cambodia@globalservicecorps.org to learn more about the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program and to find out how you can get involved.
Request Information (*Be sure to tell us in the “What can we help you with?” section if you are interested in the Sustainable Agriculture Program!)
Program Dates and Rates
How to Enroll
Apply Now
