At a glance
- Work with a group your age, focusing on doing health checks in disadvantaged communities.
- Learn directly from healthcare professionals, who’ll teach you basic medical skills and first aid.
- Help run awareness campaigns in the communities, and share knowledge about preventing disease.
- Volunteer Service Hours: 35 to 60
- Download an itinerary for this project.
Is Public Health work in Cambodia for teenagers right for me?
Want to make the most of your summer holiday? Interested in adding practical healthcare experience to your CV? Do you want to support communities in need? If you answered yes to any of these questions, our Public Health High School Special in Cambodia is for you.
In Cambodia, you’ll travel around the capital city of Phnom Penh, and work at medical outreaches in disadvantaged communities. You don’t need previous experience to join, as we’ll teach you everything you need to know. All of your work is supervised, and our staff are there to support you constantly.
You’ll learn how to measure blood pressure and temperatures. These skills will add a lot of value to your CV, and give you interesting points to talk about in applications and interviews. You’ll also be demonstrating your commitment to helping others.
When you aren’t working, our staff have organised plenty of activities and a weekend trip to keep you busy and entertained.
This High School Special runs over fixed dates during the summer. You can join from anywhere between two to four weeks, depending on the time you have available.
What will I do on a Public Health placement in Cambodia for teenagers?
While learning more about Cambodian culture alongside other high school students, you’ll work under supervision at medical outreaches. Here are a few of the tasks you’ll be involved in:
- Participate in community outreaches and assist medical staff with basic health checks
- Conduct public health campaigns to educate schools and the local community
- Learn about the healthcare system in Cambodia and traditional Khmer medicine
- Learn more about Cambodian culture and the country’s history
Your work will focus on the following areas:
Participate in community outreaches and assist medical staff with basic healthcare
You’ll be taken to various kindergartens, primary schools, and care centres where you’ll assist medical staff with health checks for the children. You’ll also assist in improving the health standards of the children cared for at the schools and centres you visit.
Conduct public health campaigns to educate schools and the local community
You’ll visit communities where you’ll run awareness campaigns. You’ll present these campaigns to the public and share knowledge on various healthcare issues affecting the community. You can talk about the importance of good hygiene and how to prevent common diseases. You’ll also focus on the importance of seeking medical attention
Learn about the healthcare system in Cambodia
You’ll be taken on supervised visits to a local hospital. By doing so, you’ll get to learn more about the healthcare system in a developing country. Many countries still use traditional medicine and techniques to treat patients. By shadowing doctors in the hospital, you may also get to see traditional Khmer medicine being used.
Learn more about Cambodian culture and the country’s history
Your High School Special is not complete without a few activities that teach you about the history and culture of Cambodia. Depending on the length of your project, your supervisors will take you to various historical museums, the Royal Palace and the magnificent Angkor Temples. In addition, you’ll watch a traditional Apsara dance, eat local cuisine, and visit many of the buddhist temples and local markets.
Throughout all these activities, you’ll be with our staff and a group of teenagers your age.
Where will I be working in Cambodia?
Phnom Penh
You’ll be based in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The city is rich in history and culture, boasting beautiful scenery, lively locals, delicious food, and traditional buddhist temples to explore.
You’ll spend time doing outreach work at kindergartens, primary schools, and care centres. You’ll also work within local communities to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene, and how to prevent disease. All of your work is supervised, and you’ll have constant support from Projects Abroad staff.
What are the aims and impact of our Public Health placements for teenagers in Cambodia?
The aim of the Public Health internship for teenagers in Cambodia is to provide you with practical healthcare skills, and give you the chance to help others at the same time.
In Cambodia, many people can’t afford basic healthcare, or they live too far away from hospitals and clinics. We’re working to bring basic medical services to these communities through our Public Health Project. We’re also sharing knowledge about the importance of hygiene, and how to prevent disease. We need your help to reach as many people as possible.
We’ll teach you basic medical skills, like how to measure blood pressure and blood sugar levels. You’ll use these skills at outreaches. Doctors and nurses use the information you gather to treat patients, and recommend further treatment. We’ll also teach you about common healthcare issues, so you can help with raising awareness. Through your work, you’ll gain a deeper insight into the healthcare challenges people face in Cambodia.
Join our Public Health High School Special in Cambodia and help empower communities by sharing knowledge and basic medical care.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll share accommodation with other Projects Abroad volunteers and interns during your stay in Phnom Penh. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers and interns, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your time together.
On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same gender and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fees include three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
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