What is the VAC program?
The program “Volunteer Action for Cambodia” (VAC) is organized by STAR Kampuchea, a Cambodian non-governmental organization. It is our mission to build up democracy and to strengthen civil society in our country. VAC was established in December 2004 and is run by Cambodian volunteers.
The VAC program invites volunteers from all over the world to work with Cambodian non-governmental organizations. The idea is to bring foreign volunteers to Cambodia to exchange cultural and work experience and to contribute new impulses and fresh ideas to both Cambodian and the volunteers’ home society. VAC is designed primarily for college students and recent graduates. We help the volunteers to find a suitable placement and to organize their stay in Cambodia.

What does the VAC program offer?
 

What are the main objectives of the VAC program?
The VAC program invites volunteers from all over the world to work with Cambodian non-governmental organizations. The idea is to bring foreign volunteers to Cambodia to exchange cultural and work experience and to contribute new impulses and fresh ideas to both Cambodian and the volunteers’ home society.

Who works on the VAC program?
The VAC-program is predominantly run by Cambodian Volunteers who are supported by a foreign advisor. The director of STAR Kampuchea, Mr. Nhek Sarin is responsible for the smooth running of the VAC Program.

How many volunteers take part in the VAC program?
For 2005, we currently have around 15 applicants. Two Australians already completed their internship with STAR Kampuchea in February 2005.
 

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Who is STAR Kampuchea?
STAR Kampuchea is a Cambodian non-profit and non-partisan organization. It was established in August 1997 and is dedicated to building democracy by strengthening civil society.

Where is STAR Kampuchea's office?
The STAR Kampuchea office is in the Boeung Keng Kang district in Phnom Penh. Boeung Keng Kang is in the centre of the town and location of many NGOs and international organizations.

What does STAR Kampuchea do?
STAR Kampuchea’s keyword is advocacy, the “organized efforts and actions that use the instruments of democracy to establish and implement laws and policies that will create a just and equitable society” (Definition of the Advocacy Institute, Washington, D.C.). Advocacy activities should strengthen democracy, the respect for human rights and civil society on the basis of the rule of law.

STAR Kampuchea’s advocacy strategy aims to address as many organizations and Cambodian citizens as possible in order to integrate them in Cambodian legislative processes and to raise awareness of Cambodian legislation. To reach this objective, numerous forums and workshops are conducted to bring the authorities and local people into closer contact. All public events are linked to current political events and development. The participants learn about the legislation on the basis of their own experience and needs. They gain advocacy skills and learn about the advantage of networking and citizen’s participation. As a result recommendations can be developed which take the needs and interests of local people into account.

Furthermore STAR Kampuchea offers training and extensive organizational and financial support to build strong and dynamic civil society organizations. It offers the organizations the opportunity to contact with each other, to exchange information and to build up networks.

What is STAR Kampuchea’s policy?
In accordance with the Code of Ethics for NGOs and People’s Organizations, STAR Kampuchea ensures fundamental democratic standards within the organization itself, in its programs and in cooperation with partners and other civil society organizations. The management aims to strengthen accountability, transparency and professionalism.

It is STAR Kampuchea and its Cooperating Organizations’ intention that women’s empowerment plays an equal role in the country’s civil society movement and its political affairs. Therefore STAR Kampuchea and its Cooperating Organizations give priority to female participants in the skill-building activities and are always on the look-out for successful ways of realizing this objective, especially on the local level.

How many people work with STAR Kampuchea?
By the end of 2004, STAR Kampuchea had 20 employees: 8 women and 12 men. 10 volunteers, 4 women and 6 men, worked in different positions within the organization in 2004.

Do many foreigners work with STAR Kampuchea?
Foreign volunteers regularly work with STAR Kampuchea.. STAR Kampuchea is also used to working with a foreign advisor.

Which languages are spoken in the office of STAR Kampuchea and its cooperating organizations?
The working language in all organizations is Khmer but all organizations are used to communicate with donors, foreign advisors and volunteers in English. Some employees speak English.

How the organization is financed?
STAR Kampuchea is financed by several international donors. The most important are Forum Syd (Sweden), the German Church Development Service (EED), Danish Church Aid (DCA), International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (CIDSE), Oxfam GB and Oxfam Hong Kong.

Does STAR Kampuchea also work in the provinces?
As an advocacy network and service organization, STAR Kampuchea has established close cooperation with 39 officially affiliated NGOs in seven provinces and coordinates four Provincial Advocacy Networks of NGOs, which are working on advocacy issues at grassroots level.
Thus, all activities are organized in cooperation with the STAR Kampuchea partners and many take place in the provinces.

Who does Star Kampuchea cooperate with?
The STAR Kampuchea’s partner organizations work in all fields of development policies, such as: advocacy, healthcare, HIV/AIDS, rural and agricultural development, human rights protection, women’s and children’s rights protection, legal rights work, environmental issues..

Does SK have international relations?
STAR Kampuchea works closely together with its international donors and with other international organizations. STAR Kampuchea is also member of international networks: (1) the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO), based in the USA, (2) the CVICUS, Connecting Civil Society Worldwide, based in the USA, and (3) the Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Development (ANGOC), based in the Philippines.
 

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How many placements does the VAC program offer?
The number of placements is not yet limited.

What is the best time of the year to volunteer?
Internships are possible throughout the year, but should be timed to coordinate with Cambodian public holidays such as Khmer New Year.
The volunteers should consider the Cambodian seasons: The dry season lasts from November until April with cool months from November to February and the hot months in April and May. The rainy season, which can cause difficulties when traveling, lasts from May to October.

How long should the volunteers stay?
The length of stay depends on the volunteer’s interest and varies between one week and three months. To gain a valuable insight into the organizations and their activities a minimum stay of three weeks is recommended.

In which organizations does the VAC program offer placements?
The VAC program offers placements with STAR Kampuchea and its 39 partner organizations in Phnom Penh and in the provinces. The STAR Kampuchea’s partner organizations work in all fields of development policies, such as: advocacy, healthcare, HIV/AIDS, rural and agricultural development, human rights protection, women’s and children’s rights protection, legal rights work, environmental issues..

In which fields or branches does the VAC program offer placements?
The partner organizations work in all fields of development policies, such as: advocacy, health, HIV/AIDS, rural and agricultural development, Human rights protection, women’s and children’s right protection, legal rights work, environmental issues.

Where – in which regions and cities – are placements available?
The placements are based in Phnom Penh and in the provinces of Cambodia.

Who is the contact person for the volunteers?
The Cambodian volunteers are the contact persons for all questions before and during the volunteer’s stay. The Executive Director of STAR Kampuchea is responsible for the volunteers wellbeing and supervises the program.
If the volunteer works in one of the partner organizations he/she will have a second contact person in the organization itself.
 

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Why do the volunteers have to pay a fee?
The VAC program is run by Cambodian Volunteers and is not financially supported by any donor. To cover the program costs we have to require a program fee according to the volunteer’s length of stay.

How much the volunteers have to pay? 

What is the fee used for?
 In detail, the program fees cover the following activities:

Do the volunteers get a salary?

Does the fee

Include food and accommodation?

Is there a deposit? How much is it and how should it be paid?
A non-refundable deposit of US$50 must be paid a minimum of two weeks prior to the program start date. The money can be sent for example via Western Union or by traveler’s cheque. The balance of the program fees is payable in cash to Star Kampuchea’s accounts department upon arrival.

How much does the accommodation cost?
For private accommodation please see program fees. A reasonable and recommendable Guesthouse would cost around US $5 per day. To rent an apartment would cost around $120 - 200 per month, not including utilities. This may well be a good option for those planning to stay longer than 5 or 6 weeks.
 

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Does the volunteer need a visa?
Yes, most nationalities need a visa.

How do I apply for a visa?
When arriving in Pochentong Airport Phnom Penh most nationalities will receive a visa. For this you will need 2 passport photos and US$ 20 for a tourist visa or US$ 25 for a business visa. Both are valid for four weeks. We recommend that volunteers buy a business visa as this can be extended officially for long periods. A tourist visa on the other hand can be extended only once and only for a month.

For more information please contact the Cambodian Embassy in your country.

How much does the visa cost?
The tourist visa costs US$ 20, the business visa US$ 25. We recommend that volunteers buy a business visa as this can be extended officially for long periods.

How long a visa is valid?
Both the tourist and the business visa are valid for four weeks. A business visa can be extended officially for long periods. A tourist visa on the other hand can be extended only once and only for a month.
 

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How does the application process for the VAC program work?
The most important steps of the application process are:
1. In order to find a suitable placement, we need to receive your completed application form.
2. On receiving the application form, we will look for a suitable placement with STAR Kampuchea or a partner organization.
3. Hopefully, we will be able to offer you suitable and interesting placement.
4. If you agree to our proposal, we will make the final arrangements with the organization.
5. A minimum of two weeks before your arrival a deposit of US$ 50 is required (please see costs)

What happens after sending the application form?
After receiving the application form, we will look for a suitable placement with STAR Kampuchea or a partner organization and will hopefully be able to offer you a suitable and interesting placement.

How does the VAC program decide about an application?
Above all we trust in your sincere interest and commitment with our ideas and activities.

Furthermore, it is expected that you:
- have a basic understanding of human and legal rights, democracy, social and community development or a related field. Appropriate studies and work experience would be welcomed.
- are interested in and sensitive to the Cambodian culture and
- have good English skills.

What happens after approval of a volunteer?
After approval we finalize the arrangements with the partner organization and will start to prepare your stay according to your particular needs and interests.

Who is the contact person during the application?
The Cambodian volunteers are the contact persons for all questions before and during the volunteer’s stay.
 

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Do I have to pay for accommodation?

Yes. The price for private accommodation, please see program fees. A reasonable and recommendable guesthouse would cost around US $5 per day. To rent an apartment would cost around $120 - 200 per month, not including utilities. This may well be a good option for those planning to stay longer than 5 or 6 weeks.

Which guesthouses/hotels would you recommend?
We would send you a list of reasonable and pleasant guesthouses and hotels in good time.

How can I find a private accommodation?
Especially in Phnom Penh, there are many apartments for rent. You can find them all over the city and can easily contact the house owner personally or by phone. Apartments and rooms for rent are also announced in internet cafés, restaurants and pubs. Estate agents in Phnom Penh offer many apartments and houses but would probably charge a fee.
 

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1. What for vaccinations are needed?
Information about health protection is available inl travel guides and on the Internet. The following information is an indication of what health protection may be necessary. . We highly recommend that you contact doctor specializing in tropical medicine several months before you travel to check which vaccinations you require and to learn about health protection during your stay in Cambodia. The following vaccinations are recommended:
• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
• Typhoid vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region.
• A booster for tetanus/diphtheria - if you have not received a vaccination within the last 10 years.
• Japanese encephalitis, only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by travelers arriving from infected areas.


2. What about possible tropical diseases?
Information about health protection is available in travel guides and on the Internet. The following information is an indication of what health protection may be necessary. We highly recommend that you contacta doctor specializing in tropical medicine several months before you travel to check which vaccinations you require and to learn about health protection during your stay in Cambodia.

To protect from diseases as malaria or dengue fever or water- and food borne diseases you should follow the advice of your doctor. TWe recommend that you:
• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Drink only boiled water, or water and carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans
• Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
• Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruits and vegetables you have peeled yourself: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.
• Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4-hour intervals) and mosquito nets, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.
• Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The malaria risk varies in the country according to the season and the region. In Phnom Penh for example there is a small risk, while in some rural areas there is a high risk. In any case you should bring Malaria prophylaxis as a stand-by medicine.

Please consult a doctor specializing in tropical medicine before leaving for Cambodia.

Which medicines are necessary?
Please contact your general practitioner concerning the medicine you should take with you.