VOLUNTEERING:
Many people come to Cambodia with the intention of donating their time to volunteering at an orphanage or other child-related organizations. Like orphanage tourism, this can develop into a lucrative business which can endanger the proper care of children rendering them more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Unregulated volunteering in all its aspects is harmful to children.
It is known as voluntourism.
Voluntourism can be a program that invites tourists (for a specific fee, or through an NGO directly recruiting), to volunteer at an organization. In most cases, these organizations do not require candidates to have relevant qualifications or previous work experience in social work or childcare. At worst, some organizations do not require or conduct proper background checks of volunteers before placing them in direct contact with children.
If you are still thinking of volunteering in an orphanage while in Cambodia please click here for further information.
At Friends-International, we believe the best and most sustainable way for tourists to support vulnerable children, is to contribute to keeping Cambodian families and communities together. Supporting community-based projects or initiatives can do this.