TEMPLE CONSERVATION AND RENOVATION IN CAMBODIA

WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

This project aims not just to restore but to conserve the temple of Banteay Chmar in its natural state. For the local people, this temple holds a special place within the community, not only as a place of common ground, but also as a sanctuary, and of course, somewhere to practice their worship. The commune of Banteay Chhmar (in Banteay Chhmar Province) contains 14 villages and there are 4 villages around the temple with 6,312 pleople. The name was taken from the large temple, called Banteay Chmar, which translates to Small Base.

The massive temple of Banteay Chhmar, along with its satellite shrines and reservoir (baray), comprises one of the most important and least understood archaeological complexes from Cambodia's Angkor period. There are some other 9 smaller temples around the Banteay Chmar temple. They all are mostly hidden in the forest and covered with small bushes and trees because of the lack of conservation from the local people.

Banteay Chmar is one of the main tourist destinations in Banteay Meanchey Province, but not many people have explored those small satellite temples around this temple, despite them being really beautiful and having a rather secret history. This project is important to the local people in this area. By these projects we hope to get more and more tourists, both Khmer and foreigners, to visit this area so that the local economy is boosted.

You'll receive instruction while on the project.

TYPICAL SCHEDULE EXAMPLE

Sunday:
All volunteers will meet up in Siem Reap and travel to Banteay Chmar by taxi or bus. It takes 1.30 hours from Siem Reap to Banteay Meanchey (Sisophon) and another 1.30 hour from Sisophon to Banteay Chmar. You'll travel to your home stay in the town and arrive in time for dinner.

Monday:
In the morning, the coordinator will meet all the volunteers to introduce you to Banteay Chmar and to explain about the projects. You'll then explore the village and visit some satelite temples. You'll return to the home stay to have lunch, then continue onto Banteay Chmar temple (the biggest temple in the area ). You'll visit the local Handicraft Centre (scarf weaving) on the way back.

Tuesday to Friday:
You'll begin to work on the temple's main renovation and preservation. You work responsibilities could include:

• Clearing the temples by cutting back overgrown bushes, trees and grass in the surrounding area within the grounds.
• Cleaning up the temples, picking up trash, removal of some stones.
• Planting trees in the temple compound, making environmental signs.

Saturday - Sunday:
You can stay at the home stay, visit temples and other tourist spots in the region, or go to some of the cities near to Banteay Chmar to do some exploring.

2015 Holidays:
The project is not available during these dates:
12- 16 October 2015 Ancestors Day Holiday

2016 Holidays:
The project is not available during these dates:
11th – 15th April 2016 Khmer New Year
26th September – 07th October 2016 Ancestors Day Holiday

If your programme falls within any of the dates above, you may join the Community Construction Programme.

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ACCOMMODATION

You will be housed with a local home-stay family in a typical wooden Khmer-style house. Rooms are shared, same sex equipped with a fan and mosquito net – maximum 2 volunteers per room. Electricity is available 24hrs a day with shower and western toilet (but no flush) and no hot water. Wifi is not available at the house.

FOOD:
All food is included during your stay. The meals will be typical Cambodian fare, including plenty of rice dishes. There are three meals served during the week and two during the weekend (Brunch and Dinner)

A little about Cambodian food:
Cambodian food has generally been influenced by Chinese and French cuisine, and also shares many common dishes with Thai food, although not as spicy. The staple food for Cambodians is rice. Almost every meal includes a bowl of rice, although noodles are also popular. A wide range of curries, soups and stir fried are served with rice.
Typically, Cambodians eat their meals with at least three or four separate dishes. A meal will usually include a soup, or samlor, served alongside the main courses. Each individual dish will be either sweet, sour, salty or bitter. Chilli is usually left up to the individual to add themselves.

Khmer cuisine also uses many vegetables, some of which are very unusual, such as different and unusual local varieties of melon, beans and squash. Fish is the most common form of meat in Khmer cuisine, including dried salted fish known as trei ngeat. Getting to taste and know local cooking is one of the many delights of living in a foreign country.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?

Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

As with all our destinations, the culture and heritage is different to what you're used to ... which, although one of the most exciting aspects of travelling, should be borne in mind. Self-reliance and independence are highly appreciated in all our destinations and will help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

TRAVELLERS' SUPPORT AND BACKUP: Read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme.

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OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn, and expand your personal and professional development enjoyment ... but mostly for your enjoyment! :-)

Terms and Conditions apply for Add-Ons, please see here.
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LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

ANGKOR WAT: Surrounded by beautiful rice fields, lakes and jungles Truly one of mankind’s most incredible achievements, this ancient city of temples will take your breath away and leave you traipsing through a mystical magnificent past. Built between 800 - 1200 AD by the Khmer Empire, more than 200 temples have been restored, to some extent enabling you an insight into life from this time. There are more than 1,000 ancient sites of Angkor although several are now almost entirely gone. Angkor Wat is a symbol of Cambodia and is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

SIEM REAP: is a lively stop off destination on the South Asia tourist trail! With the flat plane jungle ruins catapulted to fame via Lara Croft just over the outskirts, the town is geared up for travellers and this is no more evident than in ‘Pub Street’ a place to drink beer and make new friends. Siem Reap was a fashionable destination for the 1960’s elite pack wanderers and, according to the Lonely Planet, is once again one of the most popular spots on the planet today having reinvented itself as the heart of Cambodia, scattered with guesthouses, superb food and a steady flow of tourists from near and far.

Although developing fast, Siem Reap retains its charm with colonial, Chinese and old-style French architecture, shady boulevards and a river amidst the upsurge of hotels and new resorts. In the city, you’ll find traditional dance, craft shops, silk farms, rice-paddy countryside, fishing villages and markets of all kinds! Other local attractions include Angkor National Museum and the Cambodian Cultural Village.

This is a great time to be here. Siem Reap is a place you can get stuck, in the best possible way. The temples of Angkor are to be savoured leisurely and the city to be discovered and enjoyed at any pace you desire! Although the second main city of Cambodia, the city itself is fairly small and feels more like a town than a city. Most people in this area are farmers. Despite the tourism industry, the people are generally extremely poor, even by South East Asian standards. Silk farming is particularly popular. The local population is 171,800 with Buddhism the major religion and Khmer the local language, although most people speak English and also some French.

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

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REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK:

DANIELA POZO
Canadian
Temple Conservation and Renovation in Cambodia
Plus Teaching Children in the Community

(1) I feel that I am gaining an understanding on the approach people have regarding certain subjects, ex. Veneration on temples and towards education. I've experienced Cambodian lifestyle; how they work, what they eat, and their social customs. I've also gained the experience of volunteering, this being my first experience. Knowing what it means to volunteer and the effect it has on the people or the place you are volunteering in.

(2) The best thing about my placement so far has been talking with the locals. It has been asking about their customs, discussing the difference between our respective cultures, understanding of how similar we are and how different. But the best experience has been having the opportunity to see how hard the children are working to recieve an education.

(3) I would recommend the temple project during the right season. Unfortunately we didn't have the opportunity to reconstruct any of it, which would have been much better, but it was nice getting to experience the countryside and see rural Cambodian life. I would definitely recommend teaching English. The kids are so accepting, loving and eager to learn. It's much easier to see the difference you are making, and the difference the project is making on the children.

(4) I think the temple project would be well suited to individuals who really want to experience "traditional" living or experience Cambodian lifestyle.

Can you describe a typical day? (e.g Start time, morning duties, lunch hours, afternoon duties, any other duties…. )
For the temple project, a typical day would start at 8am where we would then bike for 5-10min to the temple. From there you work with your guide until 11am. You head back to the homestay for lunch break until 1:30pm. The second half of the say continues until 4 pm. The majority of the time we cut grass and pulled weeds, sometimes collecting garbage. For teaching, the day begins at 8am, you go to your respective class and begin teaching whatever lesson corresponds to the day. They have about two breaks to play. Other wise the morning group has class from 8am-11am. The evening class runs from 2pm-5pm. There are 6 classes that run everyday that vary by level, kindergarten to level 5.

(5)Teaching English has been a very nice opportunity. The principal of the school is very communicative when it comes to where he wants the school to go, it's aim and what he would like from the volunteers. He asked the volunteers for their help, for their input on how to better their methods of teaching. I've really felt that my volunteering is appreciated at the school by the other volunteers, the principal and by the students.

On your return, would you be willing to talk to prospective volunteers about your placement?
I would. I think volunteering is beneficial both for the volunteers and the community. I wouldn't mind sharing my experience.

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