Voluntourism: how to volunteer without doing harm
Short-term volunteering can do more harm than good if it isn't done carefully. Here's how to choose responsible volunteering in Cambodia, or better ways to help.
In this guide
Volunteering abroad, sometimes called voluntourism, is popular with travellers who want to give back. In Cambodia, some volunteering makes a real difference, but some does more harm than good. Here's how to tell the difference.
Common problems
- Working with children: short-term volunteers in orphanages or schools can disrupt children's lives and education.
- Unskilled labour: building projects done by unskilled volunteers may take jobs from local workers or be poorly built.
- Paying to volunteer: some programmes charge high fees, and little reaches the community.
- Lack of accountability: unclear goals and no long-term plan.
Signs of a responsible programme
- Child protection policies: background checks, no unsupervised access to children, and no orphanage placements.
- Skills matching: volunteers are placed where their skills are needed, such as medical, engineering or teaching professionals with relevant qualifications.
- Long-term commitment: placements of several months rather than days or weeks.
- Local leadership: projects led by Cambodian staff and communities.
- Transparency: clear information about fees and how they're used.
Better ways to help
- Donate to reputable organisations: money often helps more than unskilled labour.
- Support social enterprises: eat, shop and stay where profits support communities.
- Share skills remotely: some organisations need help with design, marketing or translation.
- Advocate: share responsible travel messages with friends.
Legal considerations
Volunteering in Cambodia may require the right visa and, in some cases, a work permit. Check requirements with official sources and your volunteer organisation.
Questions to ask before volunteering
- What will I do, and why is a volunteer needed for this?
- How long is the placement?
- How are children protected?
- How is my fee used?
- What happens when I leave?
The bottom line
Responsible volunteering is about long-term impact, not a short-term feel-good experience. If a programme seems designed more for volunteers than for the community, look elsewhere.
Good to know
Many Cambodian organisations would rather receive a donation or long-term professional support than host short-term volunteers. Asking an organisation what it actually needs is a good first step.