Peace Corps Cambodia

Peace Corps Logo.

History and Goals

Peace Corps was established by US President John F. Kennedy in 1961 in order to promote international peace and friendship through the service of American Volunteers overseas. It is a non-political, non-religious, non-profit agency of the United States Government that provides qualified technical expertise to countries that request Peace Corps’ assistance.

Peace Corps Volunteers have worked closely with local partners in more than 137 countries worldwide over the past four decades to address development needs, improve basic conditions, and create new opportunities. Today Peace Corps supports more than 7,533 Peace Corps Volunteers in over 71 countries all over the world.

Peace Corps’ mission is to facilitate the exchange of skills, knowledge and expertise between individuals and among and between organizations. Worldwide, Peace Corps Volunteers collaborate with host country partners and organizations in fields such as: Education, Agriculture, Environment, Small Business Development, Health and Youth Development. Volunteers serve directly with people of the host country for a period of two years with only a modest stipend. They integrate into the communities in which they work, study local culture and traditions, and learn to speak the local language.

The three goals of Peace Corps are to:

• Provide trained men and women who contribute to the social and economic development of interested countries;
• Help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served;
• Help promote a better understanding of people around the world on the part of Americans.

Peace Corps in Cambodia

At the invitation of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Peace Corps opened a new program in Cambodia in 2006. The first group of 29 were sworn in on April 4, 2007. In the years to come, Peace Corps Cambodia will continue to receive new groups of Volunteers each year to serve in schools and organizations in Cambodian provinces.

In particular, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) has invited Peace Corps Volunteers to teach English at the Upper Secondary Schools (USS) and at Regional Teacher Training Centers.  In most parts of Cambodia, the limited number of trained English teachers does not meet the demand. The project aims to help teachers and students improve overall English communication skills.

Volunteers work alongside local USS English teachers, teaching and planning lessons together.  Volunteers help implement new approaches and methodologies in the English classroom, including classroom activities and materials, and incorporating life skills into the curriculum.

Community Projects

In addition to their primary work as English teachers, Peace Corps emphasizes the role of the Volunteer in community development.  All Peace Corps Volunteers engage in other community development activities throughout their two years of service.  They work with local partners to implement secondary projects that could include computer literacy, health and HIV education, mine awareness education, and other life skills. The volunteers work closely with community development partners to ensure that such projects will have positive and long-term impact on the community.

Peace Corps Volunteers

Individuals who serve as Peace Corps Volunteers are carefully selected in the United States through a competitive application process. Peace Corps Volunteers are both male and female, range in age from about 22 to 75, and represent many different ethnic and minority groups. Peace Corps Volunteers hold university and/or advanced degrees. Volunteers come to Cambodia to contribute their skills and knowledge to the development of the country through direct action at the local level.

When first arriving in Cambodia, Peace Corps Volunteers undergo extensive training. This training includes instruction in the Khmer language and culture, personal health and safety, and instruction in teaching English. Throughout their term of service, Peace Corps provides training opportunities to Volunteers and their co-teachers to improve teaching and English language skills.

Volunteers live with Cambodian families in the communities in which they work at a standard comparable to Cambodian citizens doing similar work. They work side-by-side with Cambodian people to assist them in carrying out work towards a better future for their community and for Cambodia.

HOW TO REQUEST A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER

Peace Corps Volunteers in the English Teaching and Teacher Training (ETTT) sector  serve at Upper Secondary Schools outside of Phnom Penh.  For 2008, we invite schools from the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Pursat, Kampong Cham, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Kampot, Battambang and Siem Reap to apply by completing an application form.  Applications should be submitted to Peace Corps Cambodia at the address below and should include official signatures or letters of support from the District Education Office and the District Chief.  Selected schools will host the Volunteer from October 2008 until October 2010. Application forms are also available at the Peace Corps office. Please contact us if you are interested in a volunteer English Teacher at the Upper Secondary level for 2008.

Peace Corps Cambodia
House 7A, Street 256, Sangkat Chaktomouk
Khan Daunpenh, Phnom Penh
Tel: 855-12-826-978
Fax: 855-23-222-903