Volunteer Costs
In developing countries, hosts, especially charities, cannot afford to provide accommodation and food as part of the exchange and will usually ask for a small contribution each week to help with this. Likewise we ask that you contribute towards your weekly living costs and in return will provide volunteer accommodation, meals and daily transport to the school locations. It is important to note that your accommodation fee pays for your living expenses only, and does not include a donation to the schools. You will find our accommodation prices are very reasonable and often cheaper than many other projects of the same nature. We always try our best to make it our goal to keep the costs as low as possible for our volunteers as you are already giving up your time and energy to come and help out.
Unlike other organizations, we charge no application fees, admin fees or volunteering fees which also helps to keep the costs down for the volunteer. There are no hidden costs - you only need to pay for your living costs, which we provide at a lower rate than if you were to stay in the city center. or elsewhere in Siem Reap. The accommodation rates as of this writing start at just $60 per week (5 days)
These costs are per person and are inclusive of clean drinking water, 3 meals a day of Khmer food, electricity and transport to and from the schools.
You are no doubt aware that there is a lot of scamming and exploitation of the volunteering industry in South East Asia. With this in mind we would like to be as transparent and straightforward as we can regarding how volunteer money is spent. Please refer to the volunteering handbook.
We charge $80 per week (5 days) which includes accommodation, drinking water and 3 meals per day when volunteering at the school.
In developing countries, hosts, especially charities, cannot afford to provide accommodation and food as part of the exchange and will usually ask for a small contribution each week to help with this. Likewise we ask that you contribute towards your weekly living costs and in return will provide volunteer accommodation, meals and daily transport to the school locations. It is important to note that your accommodation fee pays for your living expenses only, and does not include a donation to the schools. You will find our accommodation prices are very reasonable and often cheaper than many other projects of the same nature. We always try our best to make it our goal to keep the costs as low as possible for our volunteers as you are already giving up your time and energy to come and help out.
Unlike other organizations, we charge no application fees, admin fees or volunteering fees which also helps to keep the costs down for the volunteer. There are no hidden costs - you only need to pay for your living costs, which we provide at a lower rate than if you were to stay in the city center. or elsewhere in Siem Reap. The accommodation rates as of this writing start at just $60 per week (5 days)
These costs are per person and are inclusive of clean drinking water, 3 meals a day of Khmer food, electricity and transport to and from the schools.
You are no doubt aware that there is a lot of scamming and exploitation of the volunteering industry in South East Asia. With this in mind we would like to be as transparent and straightforward as we can regarding how volunteer money is spent. Please refer to the volunteering handbook.
We charge $80 per week (5 days) which includes accommodation, drinking water and 3 meals per day when volunteering at the school.
CESHEO usually works out as a much cheaper option for the backpackers on a budget, Rady can speak English and can answer questions you may have, so you won’t get scammed or ripped off by anyone in the city.
We believe volunteers are already giving up their time and energy to come and help and we shouldn’t charge them too much to do so. We are proud to still be one of the cheapest volunteer options in South East Asia and unlike some other organisations, make no profit from volunteers staying with us. Funds generated go towards supporting the school.
Other Expenses
The cost of $80 for 5 days also covers the following costs:
Many other small expenses often arise. We often have to take students to the hospital or provide the families with food. We can't always afford this but the welfare of our students is always our number 1 priority.
Please No Bartering
We understand that some volunteers may be on a tight budget, but please remember we are a charity, please do not try and barter with us as we already make a loss on volunteers. Volunteering at CESHEO is about what you can do to help impoverished Cambodian children, not the other way around. Volunteers of a charitable mindset will have a more enjoyable time volunteering at CESHEO.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is your program so cheap? Are there any hidden costs?
No! Unlike other organizations, we charge no admin fees, no application fees and no volunteering fees. The money you are paying simply covers your accommodation and living expenses.
Somebody told me that paying to volunteer is a bad thing. Is this a scam?
You are not paying to volunteer with us. We charge no volunteer fees. You are only paying for your accommodation, food and living expenses.
You appear to be hosting volunteers at a substantial loss each month.
How do you make up for these losses and why do you not raise your prices?
Since we started in 2010, we have kept it our aim to keep volunteer costs as low as possible. Volunteers are already kind enough to give up their time to come and help. Furthermore, we need a lot of volunteers as we have a lot of students and classes, so don't want to put people off with high costs. The school director and some other people who work closely with the school have jobs outside of the organization and use a percentage of their salary to counteract these losses.
How much of my money goes towards the schools?
Your are only paying for your accommodation and living expenses. If you'd like to donate money to the school, you can use the donate button on our website homepage.
I have another question that is not listed. How can I contact you?
Please visit the contact us section of our website if you have any further questions.
We believe volunteers are already giving up their time and energy to come and help and we shouldn’t charge them too much to do so. We are proud to still be one of the cheapest volunteer options in South East Asia and unlike some other organisations, make no profit from volunteers staying with us. Funds generated go towards supporting the school.
Other Expenses
The cost of $80 for 5 days also covers the following costs:
- Airport pickup when you arrive, police checks prior to arrival and internet & website hosting costs.
- School equipment, whiteboard ink, pens, books, etc.
- Rent of the school property
- The schools electricity fees (Generator)
- Drinking water for the students
- School Maintenance or any other school construction
Many other small expenses often arise. We often have to take students to the hospital or provide the families with food. We can't always afford this but the welfare of our students is always our number 1 priority.
Please No Bartering
We understand that some volunteers may be on a tight budget, but please remember we are a charity, please do not try and barter with us as we already make a loss on volunteers. Volunteering at CESHEO is about what you can do to help impoverished Cambodian children, not the other way around. Volunteers of a charitable mindset will have a more enjoyable time volunteering at CESHEO.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is your program so cheap? Are there any hidden costs?
No! Unlike other organizations, we charge no admin fees, no application fees and no volunteering fees. The money you are paying simply covers your accommodation and living expenses.
Somebody told me that paying to volunteer is a bad thing. Is this a scam?
You are not paying to volunteer with us. We charge no volunteer fees. You are only paying for your accommodation, food and living expenses.
You appear to be hosting volunteers at a substantial loss each month.
How do you make up for these losses and why do you not raise your prices?
Since we started in 2010, we have kept it our aim to keep volunteer costs as low as possible. Volunteers are already kind enough to give up their time to come and help. Furthermore, we need a lot of volunteers as we have a lot of students and classes, so don't want to put people off with high costs. The school director and some other people who work closely with the school have jobs outside of the organization and use a percentage of their salary to counteract these losses.
How much of my money goes towards the schools?
Your are only paying for your accommodation and living expenses. If you'd like to donate money to the school, you can use the donate button on our website homepage.
I have another question that is not listed. How can I contact you?
Please visit the contact us section of our website if you have any further questions.
Fundraising & Campaigning
Classroom and art supplies always need to be purchased as they are consumed quickly. We encourage future and current volunteers to fund raise either before or during their stay.
This is great way of supporting and developing the school and your own personal teaching experience at CESHE School. You may use the funding you have generated to purchase classroom/art supplies, books to assist in your methods of teaching, educational posters, games for the children.
You may also wish to create solo projects or team up with other volunteers to campaign on bigger social or creative development projects. There is always something that could be changed for the more positive when people out their minds together.
We also encourage volunteers not to end their stay once they leave, we hope that volunteers will have a life changing experience while at CESHEO and continue to fundraise, donate and share our story so that we can continue helping the children of Cambodia.
Living Expenses Price Comparison
Based on Agoda Prices, and experience living in Siem Reap, a budget backpacker would usually spend a lot more than this to stay in Cambodia for a month. Even based on the cheapest fan dorm room available in Siem Reap, CESHEO still provides accommodation at a lower cost.
Classroom and art supplies always need to be purchased as they are consumed quickly. We encourage future and current volunteers to fund raise either before or during their stay.
This is great way of supporting and developing the school and your own personal teaching experience at CESHE School. You may use the funding you have generated to purchase classroom/art supplies, books to assist in your methods of teaching, educational posters, games for the children.
You may also wish to create solo projects or team up with other volunteers to campaign on bigger social or creative development projects. There is always something that could be changed for the more positive when people out their minds together.
We also encourage volunteers not to end their stay once they leave, we hope that volunteers will have a life changing experience while at CESHEO and continue to fundraise, donate and share our story so that we can continue helping the children of Cambodia.
Living Expenses Price Comparison
Based on Agoda Prices, and experience living in Siem Reap, a budget backpacker would usually spend a lot more than this to stay in Cambodia for a month. Even based on the cheapest fan dorm room available in Siem Reap, CESHEO still provides accommodation at a lower cost.
