Info

IVHQ cooperates with a network organization including 41+ local Non-Governmental Organizations in Phnom Penh and the provinces that focus on community and rural development, democracy development and gender issues.

The organizations support the poorest of the poor and those who have become landless, offering capacity building opportunities and organizing advocacy for the reconstruction of the country. Local NGOs usually have very limited (if any) financial resources, and often struggle to run their programs and to raise funds from international donors. Many staff members are volunteers receiving no or a very small salary. All NGOs urgently need support in e.g. fundraising and proposal writing, organizational development, administration and research. For volunteers studying at a university it would be more of an internship experience as some professional development workers support some of our placements. Placements are offered in the following fields: Community development, Health/ HIV/Aids awareness, prevention and rehabilitation, Women and Child issues, Advocacy and Human Rights Issues, Environmental issues, and Education. The responsibility of the intern depends on his/her skills and interests and especially the length of the stay. The volunteer will work 3 to 8 hours a day also depending on the length of the stay. If you only stay a few weeks you will mainly help out with your English skills for a few hours (no less important and necessary) or write proposals for fundraising, case studies and reports. You may also help with IT skills, teach English to the staff or conduct research on the success of the programs or future plans. You would also visit the field and projects in the countryside to get a firsthand idea of the problems people are facing. If you stay longer than two months you will have the chance to work within the human rights programs. Volunteers with more specific skills, knowledge or experience may assist e.g. in arranging campaigns, meetings or public forums or implementing new projects as well as developing the internal structures and new initiatives within the human rights programs. Volunteers also might develop a newsletter or a website. NB In order to do this program volunteers must be staying for a minimum of 5 weeks. If you are staying for less than 5 weeks you can do the teaching or orphanage program.

IVHQ PLACEMENT: PADV
PADV is a local non-government organization established in 1995, with offices in Phnom Penh (head office) and Siem Reap. Its aim is to prevent, reduce and eliminate domestic violence and help its victims. PADV has 25 staff members and almost all of them speak English. The tasks of volunteers at PADV may include for example; proposal writing, and assistance in administrative duties as well as supporting the local staff by teaching English and joining field visits. NB This is only an example placement which is one of many offered by IVHQ in Cambodia and not necessarily the one you will be working at.