About Cambodia: Cambodia is now a peaceful place, but its people, social structures, and institutions remain deeply scarred by the turbulence of its recent past. Sadly, societal dislocation and poverty continue to exact a serious toll, particularly on children. The international community has stepped forward to create programs in education, health care, family services, cultural reconnection, and combating human trafficking. By lending a hand with these efforts, participants come to understand fully the challenges Cambodians face, and are able to evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches to assistance.

Phnom Penh: The group begins its visit in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The spectacular palace and temple complex reflect an earlier period of prosperity, but daily life for many Cambodian families is a struggle, with the government providing little support. The people are committed to improving their situation, and their attitude toward foreigners is consistently positive and welcoming. After a brief orientation in Phnom Penh, the group travels to the small city of Kompong Cham to spend five days assisting at an orphanage. Through their work on projects like improving a playground, and as they build relationships with the orphans, students learn first hand about the challenges the orphans face. Returning to Phnom Penh, the group focuses its efforts on assisting at the Aziza School for kids from the city’s squatter settlements, but also visits and works with numerous NGOs involved in issues including education, health care, social enterprise, human trafficking, and reviving traditional arts and music. There is also time to visit the sobering relics of the Khmer Rouge genocide, as well as the city’s temples and markets.

Siem Reap: During its final week in Cambodia the group spends several days in a village near Siem Reap, a small city adjacent to Angkor Wat. Since most Cambodians still live very simply in small, rural communities, hands-on experience in that environment is crucial in understanding the challenges they face. In the village students assist in teaching basic hygiene and English in the local school, work on small-scale projects to improve village infrastructure, and learn how village life both supports children and presents serious challenges including access to health care and development of skills and job opportunities that could help break the cycle of poverty. In Siem Reap, the group visits active NGOs including the remarkable Angkor Hospital for Children to learn about its work responding to the enormous unmet health care needs in the region.

Continued Exploration: In the evenings there is time to discuss and process the experiences of the day, but also to enjoy the richness of Cambodian life. The group attends productions of the extraordinary performing arts and music that are returning to their traditional prominence in Khmer culture. On a weekend visit to Angkor Wat, students explore this enormous complex of ruined temples and palaces.