Safety is our highest priority for all projects and in every aspect of the program.
To protect from diseases as malaria or dengue fever or water- and food borne diseases you should follow the advice of your doctor. We recommend that you:
• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
• Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The malaria risk varies in the country according to the season and the region. In Phnom Penh for example there is a small risk, while in some rural areas there is a high risk. In any case you should bring Malaria prophylaxis as a stand-by medicine.
Please consult a doctor specializing in tropical medicine before leaving for Cambodia.
Information about health protection is available in travel guides and on the Internet. The following information is an indication of what health protection may be necessary. We highly recommend that you contact a doctor specializing in tropical medicine several months before you travel to check which vaccinations you require and to learn about health protection during your stay in Cambodia.The following vaccinations are recommended by the Center for Disease Control when traveling to Cambodia:
• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
• Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if you have not received a vaccination within the last 10 years
• Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travelers arriving from infected areas
For more information regarding vaccinations, please visit the Center for Disease Control webpage: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/cambodia
Furthermore, it is expected that you:
- Have a basic understanding of human and legal rights, democracy, social and community development or a related field. Appropriate studies and work experience would be welcomed.
- Are interested in and sensitive to the Cambodian culture
- Are at least conversational in English
Due to the nature of our programs, we have never had issues with potential applicants not meeting our basic requirements. Positive attitude is the most important factor!
1. In order to find a suitable placement, we need to receive your completed application form.
2. On receiving the application form, we will look for a suitable placement within your field of interest. The needs of each of our partner organizations vary, so we will try to connect you with the organization of greatest need during your stay.
3. If you agree to our proposal, we will make the final arrangements with the organization.
4. A minimum of two weeks before your arrival a deposit of US$50 is required (please see costs).
To avoid the long lines at the airport, we recommend obtaining a visa online. This can be done any time up to three business days before your trip. For more information on online visas, please visit https://www.evisa.gov.kh/
In addition to the members of the AVN staff, volunteers will be given a secondary contact within his or her volunteer organization. This way, volunteers can rest assured that any questions, concern, or emergencies will be properly handled.
The volunteers should consider the Cambodian seasons: The dry season lasts from November until April with cool months from November to February and the hot months in April and May. The rainy season, which can cause difficulties when traveling, lasts from May to October.