Join helping hands and volunteer to build better lives

"Emerging Leaders' Build"

Cambodia – May 2024

18 - 25 May 2024

Siem Reap

Cambodia

Registrations close by April 1, 2024

In May 2024, a team of young professionals will leave the daily grind and spend a week in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to build homes for vulnerable families through Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village overseas volunteering program. Volunteers will become immersed in the local culture, working on-site with our leader and country support staff to build homes, develop camaraderie with colleagues and create life-long memories.

The Emerging Leaders’ Build is aimed at under-40s professionals seeking to develop their leadership skills and enhance networking opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Your staff can join us for an unforgettable experience where they will take in the wonders of the vibrant Cambodian culture, network with like-minded professionals, and change lives – including their own. Whether you send 1, 3 or 10 team members, we guarantee this will be an experience of a lifetime and provide benefits to the individuals and your company.

You can learn more about the Emerging Leader’s Build here.

Although Cambodia is rich in natural resources, it remains one of the world’s poorest nations, partly due to the legacy of decades of war, internal conflict
and corruption. Landlessness, illiteracy, low skill, inadequate infrastructure and lack of opportunity have left almost 40% of Battambang Province as one of the poorest in Cambodia, with 40% living on a daily income of less than one US dollar.

Habitat for Humanity works closely with selected partner families to improve their access to safe, affordable housing. Through their hard work, Global Village volunteers help make the dream of safe and decent housing a reality for these vulnerable families, including those living with illnesses, child-headed households and older adults. Volunteers work shoulder to shoulder with the partner families over a week to build new homes and brighter futures.

Through shelter, we empower.

Sample Itinerary

18 – 25 May

Saturday: Arrive in Siem Reap

Your build week begins today with your arrival in Siem Reap! Habitat will arrange your transfer from Siem Reap Airport to the hotel, where you have time to unpack and unwind. Before returning to the hotel for dinner, you can take a walk to acquaint yourself with the city. You will finally meet fellow volunteers, your Team Leader and the Habitat for Humanity coordinator, who will accompany you for the week. Habitat for Humanity staff will give you a thorough orientation for the week ahead, including construction safety and building tips.

Sunday: Introduction to culture and community

After a good night’s sleep, the team will spend the day familiarising themselves with the local community and culture with special activities arranged for by Habitat. You will enjoy a traditional Khmer dinner with the team in the evening. This is your opportunity to get to know one another and get excited to spend the week working together. Make sure you have a good rest to prepare for your first day on site the following day!

Monday: Begin construction of the house

Arriving on the build site for your first day of construction, you’ll meet the family whose home you will be helping to construct and will have the opportunity to learn about their stories. The construction supervisor and local labourers will show you the ropes, and you can start the house construction. There will be rest breaks for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, which will all be provided on-site. You can stop for a drink of water and a break as often as you need. You’ll enjoy a team dinner and a well-earned rest!

Tuesday to Thursday: Full days building with your teammates

You will see the new house take shape in the next few days. You will be amazed at how much can be achieved in just one week. There are plenty of ways to contribute, from laying bricks to mixing cement and rendering walls. We will take you to local restaurants each night, where you can unwind with the team and get to know one another better. The evenings are a chance to relax and recharge your batteries for the following day’s work.

Friday: The handover ceremony and celebration

Today is the day! You will add the finishing touches to the house and maybe even some celebratory decorations. You will welcome the partner family to their new home and reflect together on the contribution that you have all made. You will share a special farewell lunch with the team and the partner families. This is the time to celebrate all your hard work and imagine the new life that the partner family will have in the home that you have built. The final evening is a time to celebrate the team effort and the end of an incredible week at a special farewell dinner.

Saturday: Global Village concludes

Today you will depart for home or further adventures. You might like to combine your build with travel to other overseas destinations or indulge in some well-deserved R&R. Although your trip has ended, you will be left with unforgettable memories and long-lasting friendships that will keep the experience alive.

Financial Contribution

Fundraising

Fundraising target: $1,800

Once you register to a Global Village build you commit to fundraising $1,800 for Habitat’s Programs. This program donation allows Habitat to fund our mission in countries where resources are very limited. Funding is used to support our operations so that we can reach out and serve more households.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible and goes towards families through a wider program in the Asia Pacific region.

Fundraising contribution deadline: One month before build start date

Costs

Registration fee: $200, which you pay when you select a build.

This covers medical and evacuation insurance, your online fundraising page and a build pack to get you on your way. It is non-refundable but can be transferred to another build within 12 months.

In-country expenses: Estimated between $780 – $1000 (twin – single share accommodation)

These expenses can be fundraised separately from the fundraising above but these donations are not tax deductible. This amount will go towards the budget that your Team Leader and the Habitat host country will devise to cover your accommodation, meals, bottled water, snacks, ground transportation and local activities for the week.

In-country expenses payment due 6 weeks before build start date

What’s Included

- Habitat branded T-shirt and cap
- Accommodation
- All meals for the week
- Transportation to and from site
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Snacks and water
- All necessary building materials and safety equipment
- 24 hour support
- Insurance whilst on the building site

What’s Not Included

Volunteers are responsible for booking these on their own:

Flights to and from the country
Travel Insurance
Visa
Vaccinations
Police Check (if not already current)
Any extra accommodation required outside the build week dates

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