Be part of our most ambitious programme to date!
This November we are excited to return to Cambodia to expand on 2019's amazing pilot project, vaccinating the WHOLE PROVINCE of Phnom Penh (that's 100,000 dogs!) in just 10 days! You will be providing life-saving protection to 13% of the population of Cambodia, working closely with dedicated local government and charity partners along with other volunteers from around the world.
Based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, you'll be working in teams going door-to-door, delivering canine rabies vaccinations. You will be exploring this amazing part of the world and will be trained to use our state-of-the-art WVS Data Collection App. All in a standard days work!
We welcome all volunteers to join this awesome project, whether professionally trained or not, you can play a crucial role in making a difference!
Please note, this trip is not currently open for applications. Please check back at a later date or email enquiries@missionrabies.com for more information.
Suitability: | Vets, Vet Nurses, Vet Students, Vet Nurse Students, Non-Vets |
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Location: | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
Cost: | £600 participation fee for 1 week campaign participation +£350 suggested fundraising contribution Please email enquiries@missonrabies.com for discounted rates if you'd like to join us for the full 2 week campaign |
The campaign participation fee covers the cost of your accommodation, soft drinks and meals, project related travel and airport transfers. On application you will be asked for a deposit of £300 to secure your place, this is deducted from the overall campaign participation fee and is non-refundable. We also kindly ask you to fundraise £350 (or more!) to support Mission Rabies' projects.
Please read our fundraising guidelines to get more information about fundraising for Mission Rabies.
You will be responsible for booking your own flights to and from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, but we will gladly assist you with this process. You will also be responsible for covering the costs of your visa, insurance and travel vaccinations. Please read through our Volunteer Information in the Resources section of the homepage to get more information about the structure of our volunteer programmes.
Select the project block you wish to apply for
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Duration
Arrive
Depart
Upon arrival in Cambodia, you will be picked up from Phnom Penh airport by a Mission Rabies representative and brought to your accommodation in the city. Here you will be welcomed by our the Mission Rabies team leaders and meet the rest of the volunteers - spend the evening recuperating and getting to know your fellow members of team Cambodia 2020!
The following day you will get a full briefing on what to expect from the next week, alongside training on how to use our data collection app. Using the App, you will help to collect data on every dog vaccinated to ensure we reach our target coverage, and to obtain further data about the dog population that will help Mission Rabies have a sustainable impact in the area. Throughout our time in Phnom Penh, we will be working hard to ensure we reach 70% of the local dog population - the working days are therefore long and the climate can make them tiring. However, though the work can be physically demanding it is very rewarding, you will end each day knowing you contributed to eliminating this deadly disease!
In the evenings, you will have time to catch up with the rest of the group and exchange stories about the people and dogs you have met that day - all whilst enjoying delicious local, vegetarian dishes.
By coordinating ahead of time and building contingency plans we strive to make the potentially challenging job of vaccinating hundreds of dogs a day, go as smoothly as possible. However, the nature of field work means that each day can be difficult to predict, and being able to ‘go with the flow’ is therefore essential!
Of course, we do want you to be as prepared as possible, so we would like to highlight some of the more challenging parts of volunteering here:
Transport and Accommodation
The standard of the roads, vehicles and driving in Cambodia may be less than you are used to. We conduct vehicle safety and driver checks for all the vehicles we use but this is something you should be aware of. The accommodation, although not luxurious, is clean, comfortable and safe.
Physical work and early starts
It is worth mentioning again that in order to reach 70% coverage of a dog population, we have to work very hard! You must be comfortable walking at least 15 km a day over variable terrain and in hot sunny weather - a typical day will also be starting at 6 am to get into the field to start work at 7am. You should make sure you come prepared for walking over such terrain so sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.
Emotional stress
There is a chance that you will witness suffering, be it human or animal, while on this project. You cannot know how you will react to seeing a dog suffering from a terrible case of mange or with a fractured leg, seeing people in need or finding a personal bond had been shattered by illness. It may simply be alarming to see dogs who lived chained outside, or are handled roughly. It is perfectly normal to feel a range of emotions in response to this. We can help support you and ensure that all the hard work you put into this project makes a long and lasting change to the lives of people and animals you meet.
Sharing Rooms
To ensure we can get as many volunteers in the field as possible and keep the in-country costs low for you, you will be sharing a room with another volunteer of the same sex. If you specifically request to have a single room this may be arranged, however it will be at an extra cost. In addition if you are volunteering with a friend we will endeavour to accommodate this, so please mention this upon application.
Food
The local food available in Cambodia offers a delicious array of flavours, trying these local dishes is all part of the fun! As an animal welfare project, the food provided whilst working with us will be vegetarian meals. Specific allergies can be discussed with our team - please do mention them upon your application.
Climate
November in Cambodia usually has average temperatures of between 24-31°C, we will make sure that you have plenty of fresh, clean, safe water throughout the day. Please do remember to pack high factor sun cream. The rainy season for the country runs from May- November – it is therefore possible that we will be caught in the occasional monsoon down-pour! Please ensure you bring a lightweight waterproof for this reason.
Personal Safety
Like at home, the majority of people you meet are friendly and not a danger, however it is always good to use your common sense. Never go anywhere unaccompanied and keep your belongings safe, out of sight and locked away. We advise you not go out at night and always make sure you carry a copy of your passport with you. Follow the advice of the Mission Rabies staff and our local team and you will have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Cambodia is a small country located in South-East Asia, bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. Cambodia’s tropical climate gives way to high temperatures all year round, with a south-west monsoon season running from May- November. In November the climate is hot but mostly dry, usually averaging between 24-31°C.
During your time with us you’ll be working in Phnom Penh – Cambodia’s capital city - located in the south-central region of Cambodia. This vibrant city has the hustle and bustle of a large Asian city, (think tuk-tuks, mopeds and street markets!), whilst also retaining plenty charm through its historical architecture and tree-lined boulevards. The province also features three of the biggest rivers of the country the Tonle Bassac, the Tonle Sap and the Mekong.
The major religion across Cambodia is Buddhism, with this being the religion of over 90% of the population in Phnom Penh - the influence of this can be seen across the city, with the great variety of ancient temples and historical architecture.
Khmer, is the official language of Cambodia, however English and French are widely spoken within the city. Mission Rabies will work to be sure that coordinators on the team will have — at minimum — a working knowledge of English so as to be able to communicate effectively with volunteers. However, learning a few choice phrases before you come out is a great way of making the most out of the unique culture here; even learning simple phrases such as “hello” and “thank you” can be extremely helpful for connecting with the local people that you will be meeting and working with.
As is always the case when travelling and working in an unfamiliar place, challenges are bound to arise and your flexibility and ability to ‘go with the flow’ will make all the difference. If you are open-minded and try to soak up as much as possible of this diverse culture, you will benefit from this experience as much as the local communities you are helping.
Mission Rabies carries out a risk assessment ahead of the project and develops contingency, incident and emergency response plans. You shall be informed of the important aspects prior to departure and will have an in-country briefing about general health and safety, as well as more information about the nature of the work throughout the project.
You will be visiting areas where people may not be used to seeing foreigners and this can attract interest. This is most often people simply interested in our work, however it is always important to make sure that you keep an eye out for the rest of your team and stay together – the bright yellow Mission Rabies t-shirts are helpful for spotting your team mates!
Cambodia is generally a safe place to travel and the majority of tourist visits are trouble-free. Petty theft and muggings can occur, especially in busy areas of the larger cities such as Phnom Penh. Taking basic steps, such as never travelling alone, keeping your room locked and not carrying or displaying valuables will help to reduce the risk. Please note you will never be expected to work after dark or alone. The safety of our volunteers is our primary priority at Missions Rabies, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to them.
Please also make sure you are aware of the local laws and customs - although we will brief you on the key points when in-country, it is always wise to do a little bit of homework before applying for and participating on a trip. Our team are always happy to answer any questions you have about safety, culture, or laws, before or during the project.
Please ensure you consult your doctor when considering participating in this project. Infection with COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms for older people or those with pre-existing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, asthma, heart disease or diabetes. Any underlying health conditions should therefore be declared within the online application form and discussed with staff before departure for the project. Mission Rabies reserve the right to ask for a certificate from the GP of any individual travelling on our projects.
Dog Bite Protocols
You are not alone!
Mission Rabies is well aware of the fact that travelling and experiencing new cultures can be an overwhelming experience and we want your time with us to be as rewarding and comfortable as possible. Our staff are more than happy to answer any questions that you have before you travel and there will always be members from the Mission Rabies Leadership Team to be your point of communication in-country. They will be on the ground working with your team, helping you get to grips with the tasks and activities of the project and will always be available if you have any questions, concerns, or particular needs throughout your time in Cambodia.
BS8848 Cooperate Compliance
Mission Rabies is a certified BS 8848 volunteering organisation. We have adapted our projects to a set framework, which evaluates risks in the countries of action. To be able to claim the status of ‘BS 8848 compliance’ an organisation has to implement all measures within the framework. Therefore, Mission Rabies evaluates the situation on the ground before sending international volunteers on projects. We conduct a strong risk assessment and have health and safety procedures in place which include:
If you have any questions with regards to our health and safety accreditation please contact: helena@missionrabies.com
Volunteer safety is our priority.
Goa, India
October 2021
Join us as we head through the back streets of beautiful Goa delivering life-saving vaccines, to protect both the dogs and human communities they live alongside!
Suitability: | Vets, Vet Nurses, Vet Students, Vet Nurse Students, Non-Vets |
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Western Uganda
June/July 2021
Join us in Uganda and be part of a team working to eliminate rabies along the beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Forest Corridor.
Carry out life-saving work, providing free rabies vaccinations to as many dogs as possible- ultimately protecting the dogs and the people who live alongside them!
Suitability: | Vets, Vet Nurses, Vet Students, Vet Nurse Students, Non-Vets |
Ja-Ela District
August 2021
Discover the true Sri Lanka by getting involved in the day to day running of a mass vaccination campaign and help us protect future generations from rabies!
We welcome all types of volunteers to join our teams, whether a vet, vet nurse, student or non-vet, you can play a crucial role in making a difference!
Suitability: | Vets, Vet Nurses, Vet Students, Vet Nurse Students, Non-Vets |
Meru District
January 2022
Join us as we return to North-Eastern Tanzania, where we will be continuing our fight to eliminate rabies from Meru District.
This project is an amazing opportunity to get fully involved in the challenge of mass vaccination; providing lifesaving protection for both the dogs and human communities living at the base of Mount Meru - Africa's fifth tallest mountain!
Suitability: | Vets, Vet Nurses, Vet Students, Vet Nurse Students, Non-Vets |
2021
We are very excited to be returning for the third year to our project in Ghana!
Join us as we vaccinate the dogs and protect the local communities living alonside beautiful Lake Bosomtwe. Discover the true Ghana by getting involved in the day to day running of a mass vaccination campaign and help us protect future generations from rabies!
Suitability: | Vets, Vet Nurses, Vet Students, Vet Nurse Students, Non-Vets |
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
November 2021
We will be returning to the vibrant, bustling capital of Phnom Penh, to take on our biggest challenge yet! Join us as we vaccinate the entire province of Phnom Penh - thats a target of 100,000 dogs in just 10 days!
This project is an amazing opportunity to get fully involved in the challenge of mass vaccination; providing lifesaving protection for both the dogs and human communities living within this incredible part of South East Asia.
Suitability: | Vets, Vet Nurses, Vet Students, Vet Nurse Students, Non-Vets |