Savong's School - volunteer teaching

There are a number of schools around Siem Reap providing free language education for students - languages such as English or Japanese provide a passport for young people to get jobs in the only major employer in town: the hospitality sector.

Savong's School was built in 2005 and the Director Svay Savong is dedicated to providing quality free education to rural students. The school is 25 minutes east of Siem Reap, and by phoning him 0855 12 531 037 you can easily arrange transport. The website www.savong.com has his email address also.

Where many schools seek volunteers on a long term basis, Savong's School also welcome day visitors - for example back packers - who wish to experience really wonderful contact with locals. The students welcome the visitors (attendance actually drops during the tourist off season) for English or Japanese practice, and likewise the team of teachers welcome seeing teaching methods and classrooms games introduced by visitors.

You are accompanied by a local teacher, and after the initial "nerves" all volunteers report feeling immediately welcome and at home. Blame the students for that! They're eager, fun and good natured.

Things to take. Bottled water. (It's hot work!) Bring a flag from your home country if you remember. (A semi-tradition.) And yes, a donation will be expected. Many volunteer schemes charge a fixed fee for volunteers who stay a week or month, but here the arrangement is less formal. Cash is always welcome, or - good suggestion - suggest a budget you're comfortable with ($US20 - 50 is a guideline) and ask to go shopping with the teachers to select books and stationery for the new library.

Volunteering in Cambodia is an unbelievably rewarding experience. This reviewer is visiting Savong for the 4th time this year (I'm a supporter of the school) and I'm not alone in saying that the initial experience changed my life. Go ahead and make a difference.