Mission Rabies volunteer trips

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.

Coronavirus

There has been 1 case diagnosed in Cambodia (as of 21/02/2020) and the Cambodian Ministry of Health are working with the World Health Organisation to prevent further spread. Please consult your doctor when considering participating in this project.

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.