Frequently asked questions

What is the Accommodation Like?

Accommodation is in well serviced guesthouse 50m from the school. The rooms are clean and include towels and sheets, two beds and a small ensuite, mosquito /fly screens, no cooking facilities. It also includes the reserving of the room whilst Volunteer is at times sightseeing/in Phnom Penh on weekends.

What type of Food is included?

Simple Khmer meals including rice, vegetables, fish  cooked on site at the school by the student cooks.

Do I need a Visa?

After your application is successful, you will be given a placement letter to obtain a Business Visa Type “E” on arrival at the International Phnom Penh airport if you arrive by plane. However for those who arrive by bus can get a business visa at the boarder point. However recommend you obtain visas in your country of origin where possible prior to you arrival.

What arrangement should I make for Travelling to the School?

It is recommended that the Volunteer stay in Phnom Penh for 2 days prior to starting at the school. This enables the Volunteer to orientate themselves , organise their money  etc prior to coming down to Takeo Town. Once the arrangements have been made by the Volunteer and O.O.O. has the information regarding your arrival, an O.O.O. representative will organize to pick up the Volunteer from a previously nominated hotel/guesthouse/backpackers in Phnom Penh, at a specified time, usually around 10.30 am– 11.30am  and accompany the Volunteer to the school in Takeo Town.

Takeo is about 75km from Phnom Penh and transport with an O.O.O. representative will be by public bus (safe) – the journey takes around 2 hours and costs around 10,000 reil ($2-3 USD). Buses leave Takeo Town regularly in the morning and afternoons to Phnom Penh and visa versa, and have been used regularly by previous volunteers to go back to the “ bright lights’ of Phnom Penh on weekends.

What is Takeo Town Like?

Takeo is a regional centre, not a tourist center, and as such does not have western restaurants and cafes as is available in Phnom Penh.. However there is local shopping, local restaurants, bank and ATM (Visa) and a market in town where the Volunteer can walk to buy any personal items or fruit and other supplies. The Volunteer can hire a motorbike or push bike for local traveling however we recommend that you bring a helmet.

Reil is the common currency, however small currency $USD are also acceptable in Takeo.

Volunteers can take a bus back to Phnom Penh on weekends or organize some other sightseeing during the weekends such as Sihanoukville / Kampot, Kep.

There is a laundry facility 20m from the school where items are washed with a one day turn around for a small fee, or alternatively can be washed by Volunteer at the school.

What do I Bring?

Sleeping bag ( optional), personal toiletries/medicines, hat, slip on scuffs(rubber thongs or the like) lightweight clothes, T shirts and shorts, a pair of long pants/skirts, wet weather jacket, headlamps, day packs, ipods and portable DVD player( optional), English speaking DVD (can be watched by students on movie nights), travel cloths line, travel towel, DEET, any teaching equipment you may want – however there is a teaching books supplied, pens/pencils/dictionary.

How do I keep in touch with family and friends?

Internet: The organization does have internet connection, but is usually well used most of the time. The volunteer can access internet at the school when it is not busy, however there is a free internet service provided by a partner organization about 5 minutes by bicycle ride away and internet cafes’ in the town that can be used usually for around 2000 riel/ hour (50 c/hr).

Cell Phone:  Whilst you can utilise  your own phone on ‘roaming’ it is often expensive. You can obtain a cheap SIM card and phone for Cambodia only calls or utilise a cheap international call phone company which is about 0.12 c per minutes. If utilising a Cambodian SIM card in your own phone you should ensure you home mobile is unlocked and can accommodate a another SIM card. On approval of you application the Volunteer Co-ordinator will advise you on the best approach for you. Note that the unlock of the phone can be done in Cambodia most of the time.

Where can I go shopping?

The town centre is about 5 – 10  minutes by motorbike from where you will be staying  and from the school. You can buy some local food, clothes, teaching supplies and other day to day items.  There is a western style convenience store in town  as well. However any major shopping as a tourist is better undertaken in Phnom Pehn.

Can I learn Khmer language while I am volunteering?

Staff at the organization are happy to give Khmer class for free on arrangement with the school .

Do I need to obtain a Police Clearance before I apply?

On application the school will determine if a police clearance is required from your country of origin. If so, this can be sent to the email address and then application and time periods confirmed.