Faq - Asia Volunteer Network

Frequently asked questions

Do I safe in Cambodia?

Safety is our highest priority for all projects and in every aspect of the program.

We provide project details, guidance, and an orientation before you start working and mentoring during your stay.

We organize the program from the beginning to the end the program

Our office is in the center of Phnom Penh, right where our volunteers work.

Our volunteer guest houses are located in safe, convenient areas.

We will be waiting for you at the airport or the bus station when you arrive in Cambodia.

Our volunteers will be living in a shared room with the same sex. The guest house is very clean and has only received positive reviews from our previous volunteers.

You will have safe drinking water.

We provided 24 hour emergency contact for the duration of your volunteer program.

Our staff will give supervision of any activities you are involved and need support.

Which medicines are necessary?

Please contact your general practitioner concerning the medicine you should take with you.

What about possible tropical diseases?

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.

What vaccinations are needed?

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

What happens after approval of a volunteer?

After approval we finalize the arrangements with the partner organization and will start to prepare your stay according to your particular needs and interests.

How does the AVN decide on an application?

Above all, we trust in your sincere interest and commitment with our ideas and activities.

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!

What happens after sending the application form?

After receiving the application form, we will look for a suitable placement and will hopefully be able to offer you a suitable and interesting placement.

How does the application process for the AVN program work?

The application process goes as follows:

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).

How long is visa valid?

Both the tourist and the business visa are valid for 30 days. A business visa can be extended officially for long periods. A tourist visa on the other hand can be extended only once and only for a month.

How much does the visa cost?

The tourist visa costs US$30, the business visas US$35. We recommend those volunteers who will be staying longer than two months to buy a business visa, as these can be extended officially for long periods.

How do I apply for a visa?

When arriving in Phnom Penh International Airport most nationalities can receive a visa on the spot. To obtain the visa you will need $30 for a tourist visa or $35 for a business visa and a passport-sized photo. If you do not bring a photo, you can have your passport photo scanned for an additional $2. While both visas are valid for one month, we recommend that volunteers buy a business visa as this can be extended officially for long periods. A tourist visa on the other hand can be extended only once and only for a month.

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/

Does the volunteer need a visa?

Yes, most nationalities (including the US) need a visa.

What is the fee used for?

You will find that AVN is extremely affordable when comparing against some of the other programs available. We are based out of Cambodia, where the US dollar goes a lot further. With the small program fee that you provide we are able to help support the following activities:

Administration and Cambodian volunteer support
Rent and maintenance of office space
Telephone, e-mail, website
Local Advertisement and printing materials
Accounting and legal services
Food and accommodation for volunteers
Support Coordinator and volunteer field expenses, including local transport, and management
Coordination with local partners
Government tax
Orientation, City Tour and Welcome Dinner
Donation to AVN's Network and the working place

Why do the volunteers have to pay a fee?

The AVN program is run by Cambodian Volunteers and is not financially supported by any donors. To cover the program costs we have to require a program fee according to the volunteer’s length of stay. Our fees are very affordable in comparison to other programs and are just enough for us to keep the lights on.

Who is the contact person for the volunteers?

Any of the members of AVN are happy to answer all questions before and during the volunteer’s stay. The Executive Director, Brem Nhov, of is in constant communication with our volunteers and is available 24/7.

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.

Where and in which regions are placements available?

Currently the Asia Volunteer Network has placements are based in Phnom Penh and in the provinces of Cambodia. We thoroughly screen our partner NGOs to ensure a great experience for all parties involved. We hope to further expand our reach in Cambodia and the rest of Southeast Asia in the future.

In which fields or branches does the AVN program offer placements?

The partner organizations work in all fields of development policies, such as health, rural and agricultural development, human rights protection, women and children’s rights protection, teaching English, microfinance, legal rights work, environmental issues and child care

How long should volunteers stay?

The length of stay depends on the volunteer’s interest and varies between one week and six months. To have the maximum impact and to gain a valuable insight into the organizations and their activities we recommended a minimum stay of six weeks. Any help our volunteers can provide, however, is immensely valuable.

What is the best time of the year to volunteer?

Internships are possible throughout the year, but should be timed to coordinate with Cambodian public holidays such as Khmer New Year. (please check Cambodian public holiday)

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.