PROVIDING

English education as a pathway to opportunity.

A GLOBALGIVING CHARITY

Mission

OUR MISSION

Opening Doors Cambodia (ODC) provides values driven english education to underprivileged children and youth in rural areas of Cambodia. The classes target critical skills that improve access to employment, eventually lifting families out of poverty.

Furthermore, ODC aims to educate youth to recognize their role in making the world a better place, and shaping future generations of Cambodia.

Read Our Story

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GIVE TO OUR CAUSE

Donations supports our operating costs of the school, hiring more teachers and expanding to more locations. See more about our fund raising at Global Giving.

DONATE

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

We are now actively seeking committed volunteers who can help advance ODC’s mission and philosophy. We offer several different types of volunteer opportunities that last from one month to 10 months long. Please consider volunteering your time and talents with us!

Volunteer Programs

In-Person Part-Time English Program Co-Instructor

From January through October
On its campus, ODC presently offers morning, afternoon, and evening English classes to students aged 5-17, in level-appropriate classes; classes are held for 1 hour per day Monday through Friday
Volunteers are sought to work with a teacher or an assistant to teach from 1-3 classes per week. A minimum of a 3-month commitment is required.

Remote Part-Time English Program Instructor

From January through October
ODC has the technology on our campus to connect on-line with volunteers. At present we run 2 additional online classes for students to further improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Students are also prepared for the IELTS exam. Classes are run by a qualified teacher from Australia
Volunteers are sought to run additional classes from 1-2 hours per week.

In-Person Specialty Short-Term Programs Instructor

Ongoing, throughout the school year
An opportunity for a volunteer to develop four classes in a one-month-long program to teach art or music, or offer a story hour to reinforce English listening and speaking skills
Programs to be held on our campus on Saturday afternoons from the hours of 3-5 pm, and could be from 1-3 hours long, as appropriate
A volunteer is sought to develop and teach one speciality program (a 1-month commitment)

Remote Youth-to-Youth Pen Pal Program Participant

Ongoing, throughout the school year
ODC provides fun reading and writing experiences for Khmer and foreign children to communicate via email
ODC teachers and teaching scholars provide oversight of ODC pen pal students
Volunteers are sought to identify children who are willing to become a regular and reliable pen pal to a student at ODC (a multi-month commitment)

Short-Term Group Volunteer Program

2-week program for young adults from a recognised university or educational organisation to work with our teachers and students
An opportunity for youth to partcipate in classrooms learning activities and assist in any school community projects
At present, ODC has an ongoing collaboration with Augustana College, USA and Pannasastra University of Cambodia, Siem Reap

To apply, download the application below and email it to chhaiyalove@gmail.com

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Volunteering Testimonials

CLASSES AND CURRICULUM

ODC employs and trains local teachers. We have a highly motivated and committed team led by a Headmaster, 5 qualified teachers, 2 teacher-in-training scholars and volunteers. We also run Remote Online Learning classes for students preparing for the IELTS exam. Our teachers use high-impact teaching strategies, explicit teaching, and collaborative learning methods, providing a unique and effective learning experience for our students. ODC runs 7 courses for children between the ages of 5 and 17: Beginners and Levels 1 – 6, with enabling tests to help find the right level for them and recalibrate as they learn.

The curriculum is internationally-based and focused on the four English macro skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing with the course content built around values, culture and ethics, recognizing the need for holistic enrichment to help youth shape their lives. We understand that being proficient in English opens up opportunities for a better future for themselves, their families and communities, and ultimately their country.

4 TARGETED MACRO SKILLS

READING

WRITING

SPEAKING

LISTENING

Classes and Curriculum

Get Involved

A British gap-year volunteer (2022):

"It’s an unrivaled way to experience everyday Cambodian life. As Cambodia is so, so poor, all tourists are penned up in tourist-friendly zones and it is very difficult to see the real Cambodia without signing up to this – even more-established volunteering programs seemed to be cushier and less genuine.

You learn a lot about yourself and other people when teaching the children. A real opportunity to look outside the world of white British teenagers that we are stuck in.

The people you deal with (Chhaiya and all of his friends that are involved in helping ODC) are really genuine, charitable, and fun people who are easy to get along with."

A short-term Khmer university volunteer (2023):

"To me, volunteer work is a great opportunity to learn new things, to gain more knowledge and life experience, as well as the chance to meet new people.

Being the volunteer teacher for two weeks at ODC was such a great experience. I’ve gotten to meet the kids here and they are so friendly and lovely. The students are smart and could catch up to the lessons well.

I’m really thankful for this opportunity that let me meet them."

A short-term American university volunteer (2023):

"Being able to volunteer at ODC was an experience I will forever be grateful for. Each day I was surrounded by students in the classroom who were eager to learn and participate.

The actions of these students are a direct reflection of the effort and passion behind members of the ODC staff.

Not only was I able to help students gain more confidence in the classroom, but volunteering at ODC provided me the opportunity to build confidence as well."

CONTACT

OPENING DOORS CAMBODIA

La’ork Village, Kandaek Commune, Prasat, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

CONTACT US

Telephone: +855 60 250 426

WhatsApp: +855 60 250 426

telegram: +855 77 579 729

email: chhaiyalove@gmail.com

Australian contact: soo.buckle@gmail.com

American contact: kathyjakielski@augustana.edu

Japanese contact: shinsukehari0908@gmail.com

Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you!