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!

You will receive a full briefing on Sunday 19th on what to expect from your time on the campaign, 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 thousands 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!

You will be staying at a comfortable hotel in Phnom Penh city centre - further information will be given in the trip handbook that will become available if your application is approved.

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 twin bed room with another volunteer of the same sex.

You are able to request a single room, however this is subject to availability, and comes with an additional cost of £210/1 week, and £420/2 weeks, payable before you depart. Single room requests will not be accepted after 7th September 2025.

In addition if you are volunteering with a friend and wish to share a room, we will endeavour to accommodate this, so please mention this upon application.

Please also upload a photo of yourself for your Volunteer Identification Card, you can do this under the CV tab.

Vaccine requirements

In order to participate with Mission Rabies, we require proof of rabies vaccination within the past two years, or proof of adequate titre within the last three months. Proof of current tetanus vaccination is also required. Regarding other vaccines, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have contacted a medical professional and/or travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before the date of the project. You must ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations and that you get any boosters in sufficient time.

Please also inform us of any medical conditions you have, or in case you have any questions about your ability to participate, so that we are aware and can discuss these with you and can then make any necessary provisions.

The NHS has a helpful website for travelling, fit for travel, that can provide you with advice but this should only be used in conjunction with, and not instead of seeking medical advice from your medical practitioner/local travel clinic.

COVID-19

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.

Malaria

Phnom Penh is listed as an area not at risk of malaria by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, however there is a risk of malaria across other areas of Cambodia.  We strongly recommend that you consult your physician and/or travel clinic to discuss options and indications for an adequate anti-malarial, esepcially if you are considering further travel. We also advise you pack a mosquito net, repellent and wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings to reduce the chance of insect bites.

Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever which is also transmitted by mosquitos is a risk, therefore taking precautions is essential since there is no treatment available. Ask your physician/ travel clinic about appropriate repellents.

Zika Virus

Cambodia is listed as being a country at risk of Zika virus on CDC website. Please follow the advice on their website and discuss this with your doctor when considering participating in this project.

Dog Bite Protocols

Mission Rabies takes dog bites and potential rabies exposure very seriously. We follow strict protocol in line with the latest WHO recommendations in the case of dog bites. Post-exposure prophylaxis is readily available in Cambodia so injections can be obtained if they are needed. You will be briefed before you travel, and in-country on our procedures for your own protection and there will always be a member of Mission Rabies staff to help.

Food and Water Safety

As a rule, we recommend that you stay away from tap water and rely instead on bottled and/or purified water. With regard to food, we will provide clean, safe food for each of your meals. We recommend consulting your physician to discuss treatments that you can bring along and signs to look out for when travelling. Many people have said that steering clear of eating meat will go a long way in preventing illness; anecdotally this does appear to have been true for many of our previous volunteers so far.

While you are welcome to purchase alcoholic beverages when available at the hotel/restaurant, costs for these will not be covered by Mission Rabies.

PLEASE ALSO SEE THE NOTES SECTION FOR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND INFORMATION

Do bring:

• Practical/comfortable clothes to work in (long, light trousers and walking shoes/sturdy trainers)
• Light raincoat/light jumper
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Toiletries
• Prescriptions & over-the-counter medication (eg. Imodium, Paracetemol etc)
• Electrolytes

You should arrive into Phnom Penh International Airport, where a member of the Mission Rabies team will collect you.

Please note, that transfers by our team are only included on the stated arrival (18th October) and departure days (25th October or 1st November), and only to and from the stated airport.

Your accommodation will be booked from 3pm on your arrival day (18th October) until 11am on your departure day (25th October or 1st November). Any arrival or departure times outside this window will require you to book separate accommodation and airport transfers at your own cost.

Of course, we do want you to be as prepared as possible for your trip, 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 6am 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.

Food

The local food available in Cambodia offers a delicious array of flavours, trying these local dishes is all part of the fun! Specific allergies can be discussed with our team - please do mention them upon your application.

Climate

October and 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 to drink. Please do remember to pack high factor sun cream, a hat, and electrolytes. 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.