FAQ

Will my personal belongings be safe?

There are locks on the rooms and the keys can be kept with you or Hak. No one other than volunteers access these rooms. Students know not to enter and are very honest whenever they find things laying around, however, it is your responsibility to look after your items and where you place them. Volunteers leave their bags in the room, and sometimes keep their wallet with them. You can also put a lock on your bags.

What are the toilet and shower facilities like?

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There is a closed off bathroom with a squat toilet, like the vast majority of Cambodian houses. It is a ceramic basin, unlike a simple hole in the ground. Inside is a large well, full of pond water that is refilled everyday. You can use this water to have bucket showers and flush the squat toilet. Toilet paper and soaps can be easily bought from the local markets.

What food and drink will I be served?

Hak and his family are more than happy to cater to your tastes as best as they can, offering both authentic Khmer meals as well as local foods with a more Western touch. Typical meals include rice, bread, eggs, vegetables, curry, noodles, sweets, fish and pork as well many other local ingredients. Vegetarians and vegans are welcome, though you should note that it may be harder to avoid less obvious animal products like fish sauce, oyster sauce and chicken stock. Please contact Hak for any other dietary requirements.

Hak will also provide you with a plentiful supply of drinking water, either individual drinking bottles or from large sealed water barrels (both perfectly safe). You can also buy drinks such as Coca Cola from nearby shops, as well as some local drinks.

Why is there a fee for the homestay experience?

This is puzzling to many first time volunteers. Why should I have to pay if I am generously giving my time to this community? The answer is really quite simple. Remember that you are here to empower a community which already has very scarce resources. The village faces additional costs when hosting you as it must pay for things like government administration, transport, food costs, electricity costs, and other small items like dishwashing liquid. For a community with limited funds, these costs add up to a significant amount. It seems only fair that your presence in the village does not increase the burden on the villagers. Hak’s homestay is a very reasonable amount and 100% goes back into the local community.

Where does the money go?

The money you pay allows Hak’s family to provide you with three substantial meals per day, and you are more than welcome to ask them to cater to your tastes—vegetarians welcome. You’ll also have a plentiful supply of drinking water, kept refreshingly cold. Furthermore, funds will go towards electricity costs such as lights and fans in your room, as well as the purchase of household supplies (think oil, mosquito coils and other little things) to keep you comfortable.

Finally, Hak does not receive a salary. But he makes your volunteer experience happen. His bond with the village children provides you with the means to teach and forge lifelong friendships. As the only English-speaker in Thnal Dach, he provides essential translation services throughout your homestay, helping you to teach as well as communicate with the other villagers. He also arranges and provides valuable cultural information as well as transport between the village and the local markets in case you ever need to stock up on supplies. His time, energy, and creative ideas to allow your classes to run effectively are priceless.
This is why volunteers are asked to contribute a small sum for Hak’s assistance. Unlike large-scale volunteer organisations that can be very costly.

How should I dress?

Entering any country can be difficult without doing some research. Familiarise yourself with Cambodian customs, greetings, do’s and don’ts. It is respectful to keep your knees and shoulders covered, and not wear low cut tops. Long skirts and dresses, pants, tops, t-shirts, scarves, are all appropriate. Please be aware that due to the rural location your clothes can get dirty easily.

Where can I access internet?

There is very little internet reception in the village. Volunteers have found the best location to try to connect to the internet is at the primary school. Alternatively, there are internet cafes in Siem Reap.

Adapters and electricity

There are power points in both bedrooms, upstairs, in the office and outside the room which fit a European charger.

How do I get from Siem Reap to Thnal Dach?

There are motorbikes and drivers in the village that can take you to Dam Dek or surrounding areas for a small donation to pay for petrol. At Dam Dek there are many buses that travel into Siem Reap as well as motorbikes. Tuk tuks are rarely seen around the village due to the condition of the roads.

Hak can also pick you up from Siam Reap via Moto. Some volunteers opt to do this so they can get a bearing of the location of the village. Hak charges $20 for this service.

What happens if I get sick?

Pharmacies at Dam Dek can provide you with general medicines such as painkillers, eyedrops and anti-histamines. There are also hospitals located in Siem Reap.