In September 2023, a team of volunteers will 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 and create life-long memories.
Cambodia has the lowest rural sanitation coverage in the region, and sustainable water access remains a key challenge, with high rates of inoperable water facilities. Siem Reap Province covers an area of approximately 12,000sq km and located 300km to the northwest of Phnom Penh. The province is home to Angkor Wat and many other religious sites. Although it has become a major tourist destination, Siem Reap remains one of the three poorest provinces in Cambodia with approximately 30 percent of households living below the provincial poverty line. Families living in thatched houses are compelled to change the dried grass and palm leaves every two years due to its deteriorating quality.
Your team will be working on a house constructed as part of the Community-Driven Housing and Water and Sanitation Improvement Project in Siem Reap. Habitat for Humanity aims at improving the quality of life and health of rural residents in three districts of Siem Reap through housing, water and sanitation, community driven development, disaster risk reduction and response.
Target communities receive support through the provision of sanitation and water facilities, education and awareness raising on proper hygiene and sanitation practices, major and minor renovation of identified houses, and technical skills training to complement the housing renovations.
Your adventure begins today with your arrival in Siem Reap! Habitat will arrange your transfer from Siem Reap International Airport to your hotel, where you have time to unpack and unwind. Take yourself on a walk to acquaint yourself with the city before heading back to your hotel for dinner. You will meet Habitat for Humanity Cambodia staff who will give you a thorough orientation for the week ahead, including construction safety and building tips.
Today, Habitat for Humanity will arrange for you to see Siem Reap and take in the sights such as the incredible Angkor Wat, The Floating Village, a circus or traditional dancing show. After some exploring, the group will reconvene for dinner. Make sure you have a good rest to prepare for your first day on site the following day!
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 get started on 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. At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a team dinner and a well-earned rest!
For the next few days you will see the new house take shape. You will be amazed at how much can be achieved in just one week. From laying bricks to mixing cement and rendering walls, there are plenty of ways to contribute. One afternoon, you will visit families who have benefitted from the work of previous Global village teams and see how their lives have been enriched. Each night your hosts will take you to some local restaurants, where you can unwind with the team.
The final day of building is emotional for everyone involved. You will add the finishing touches to the house and maybe even add some celebratory decorations too. You will welcome the partner family to their new home and reflect together on the contribution that you have all made. 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. Be sure to bring tissues; there won’t be a dry eye in the house! That evening is time to celebrate the team effort and the end of an incredible week.
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 come to a close, you will be left with amazing memories that will keep the experience alive.
Once you register for Tradies Build Abroad, the team commits to fundraising $25,000 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
Volunteers are responsible for booking these on their own but the Habitat team is happy to assist you with your search
Want to learn more about this event?
Get in Touch
Phone
1800 88 55 99
Email
[email protected]
Address
Level 9, Suite 2
80 Mount Street
North Sydney NSW 2060
