Angkor Hospital for Children

about cambodia > faqs

General
1. Where is Siem Reap?
2. Where is AHC located in Siem Reap?
3. What are Cambodia’s Visa Requirements?
4. What types of volunteer opportunities exist with Angkor Hospital for Children?
5. Why do you need to keep all of my information on a database and who will see this information?
6. What day should I plan my arrival and should I arrive on a Sunday or a Monday?
7. What are AHC hours of operation and is the hospital closed on Sundays?
8. What are the working hours for the volunteers?
9. I'm traveling with my spouse who is not a 'medical person'; can he/she volunteer also?
10. What are the cultural do’s and don’ts and what sort of hospital attire is expected?
11. What should I pack?
12. Will anyone be there to pick me up upon my arrival in the airport in Siem Reap and what will my first day entail?
13. Do I need to bring any of my own medical equipment?

Accommodation and Food
14. What are my accommodation options?
15. Where can I do my laundry?
16. What are my food options?

Health
17. Is medical insurance required?
18. What is the HIV/Aid’s situation like in Cambodia?
19. What vaccinations are required for Cambodia?

Banking and Money
20. What is the currency exchange rate?
21. Are there ATMs in Siem Reap?
22. How much should I budget per day?

Getting Around
23. How do I get around town?
24. What airlines fly to/from Siem Reap?

Technology
25. What is the voltage and type of plug used in Cambodia?
26. Is email easily accessible and can I get internet on my laptop?
27. Can I easily get my digital photos or film developed in Siem Reap?

Security
28. Is there anything I should note for my personal security?
29. Are landmines a problem?

Activities and Sights
30. Are gyms easily accessible?
31. What can I do during my free time?

1. Where is Siem Reap? Siem Reap is a province located in the North West of Cambodia. Click here to visualize location in relation to the whole of the kingdom.

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2. Where is AHC located in Siem Reap? Angkor Hospital for Children is located in the small town of Angkor in the Siem Reap province. See the Siem Reap map to locate the hospital.

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3. What are Cambodia's Visa Requirements?

By Air: Siem Reap has an international airport but only airlines such as Bangkok Airways, Thai International, Malaysia Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Silkair fly to Cambodia from Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Laos. A recommended travel itinerary would be to travel to Cambodia via Bangkok, and spending one night there before flying to Siem Reap; this plan is highly recommended as you will find yourself less exhausted upon your arrival. Please keep in mind there is a US $25 international departure tax when exiting Siem Reap International Airport. Children under 4 years of age are exempt.

By Road: The Thai Cambodian border allows overland access through checkpoints at Poipet, Koh Kong O’Smach, Pailin, and the Kamreang district. The closest checkpoint to Siem Reap is Poipet. Local Thai buses travel daily from Bangkok to the border (Aranyprathet). After the checkpoint taxis are available from the border for around US $35 per car to Siem Reap. There are some bus companies that travel from Bangkok to Siem Reap; however, these buses are notorious for poor business practices and are not recommended. From Phnom Penh, Siem Reap can be reached by air, river and road (bus or taxi) on a daily basis and prices can range anywhere from US $4 - 80.

VISA Types & Costs: Three types of Cambodian VISA:

1) Tourist visa (Type T): Can be acquired on arrival at the airport for US $20.00. The type T VISA allows you only a single one-month extension for an additional $25.00 · Allows a one-month stay

2) Business visa (Type E) Can be acquired on arrival at the airport for US $25.00 The type E VISA allows you multiple extensions at a cost. Initially, allows a one-month stay.

3) Business visa (Type B) If you are staying longer than 3-months the hospital can apply on your behalf, but a 2-month processing period is necessary before your arrival if you choose the latter route. Initially allows a three-month stay

It is not necessary to obtain a visa prior to landing in Cambodia, and most purchase it on arrival. On arrival you must provide two passport sized photos, US $25, and indicate which type of visa you require. Please note, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months at time of entry. If you require any additional information, please contact the Cambodia Embassy near you. Here is the link (www.cambodia.gov.kh/unisql1/egov/english/country.embassy.html).

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4. What types of volunteer opportunities exist with the Angkor Children’s Hospital? Medical volunteers that have medical training and/or professional skills in medical treatment, nursing and laboratory can be used in AHC clinical settings. Non-medical volunteers can assist with administrative tasks, teaching English, and/or the play specialists.

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5. Why do you need to keep all of my information on a database and who will see this information? The Volunteer Database is confidential and can only be accessed by staff whose work involves the coordination of volunteers. It is essential that we know how many volunteers we have at one time and useful to know when looking at further recruitment or trends, and to identify those whose contribution deserves recognition, such as a long service award which recognizes loyalty and dedication. We are also required to submit general information on the number of volunteers at our weekly staff meeting. We would also like to send you information from time to time about the progress of Angkor Hospital for Children to keep you up to date. Should you wish to support us financially this would be an additional benefit, but this is not the main purpose of any communication.

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6. What day should I plan my arrival and should I arrive on a Sunday or a Monday? Please plan to arrive on a weekday as the hospital administration is only open from Monday to Friday. Once you have been registered with the hospital you will be allowed the following day to relax and orient yourselves. Please do not arrive expecting to work on a weekend.

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7. What are the AHC hours of operation and is the hospital closed on Sundays? The Outpatient Department is open from Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 15:30, Saturdays 7:00 – 11:30; OPD is closed Sundays except for emergencies.

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8. What are the working hours of the volunteer? Volunteers will work no more than 8 hours a day and will get two consecutive days off each week, though they may not always be weekend days. Lunch break is usually 2 hours. The working hours of medical and non-medical volunteers will vary as it will depend on your role and on the requirements of your position, as defined by your immediate supervisor.

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9. I am traveling with my spouse who is not a medical person but can he/she volunteer also? The AHC always tries to match people up with jobs as we always have a variety of non medical needs; please have your spouse send us a copy of their CV and cover letter and we will do our best to find a project that fits their skills, but we cannot make any guarantees.

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10. What are the cultural "do's" and "don'ts" and what sort of hospital attire is expected? Plan to wear clothes that are ‘”business casual” around the hospital; medical scrubs are permitted. Sandals are the usual footwear. Tank tops and shorts are not considered appropriate work attire at AHC. Cambodian people are modest. Although they are very tolerant this doesn’t mean they are not offended by such bareness in clothing. You will see all kinds of activity and dress by tourists in Siem Reap; however, please keep in mind you represent the hospital when traveling in and around town, so please act accordingly. Please visit our 'Cultural Sensitivity' page for further details.

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11. What should I pack? Siem Reap has a tropical monsoon climate. The rainy season is from June to November; there is often seasonal flooding in late July and early August. The most pleasant season is the cool season from November to December. The hottest months are March to May. Bring lightweight cotton clothes that can be layered. Short and long-sleeved shirts (for the evenings), light trousers and lengthy dresses or skirts are advised. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season; rain jackets can be bought inexpensively at local markets. Please visit our 'General information' and 'Pack list' page for further details

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12. Will anyone be there to pick me up from the airport upon my arrival in Siem Reap and what will my first day entail? Most guesthouses and hotels provide free airport pick-up, please inquire about this before your arrival. If you are not able to arrange this with your hotel, please notify AHC and we will try to arrange a car to pick you up from the airport. You are not expected to work the following day as you will need the day to relax and orient yourself. Please see question 2 for a map of Siem Reap.

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13. Do I need to bring any of my own medical equipment? Feel free to bring any of your own personal equipment, although none is necessary. Other volunteers have recommended that future volunteers bring a pair of light medical scrubs if they have them and their stethoscopes. Pediatrics-sized stethoscopes and any instruments specific to your specialty have also been recommended.

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14. What are my accommodation options? AHC does not provide volunteers with a place to stay during their visit in Siem Reap. AHC and FWAB have a number of preferred guesthouses and hotels, which are located in close vicinity to the hospital. If you would like to stay elsewhere, AHC can recommend a variety of guesthouses and can book a place to stay. You will be picked up from the airport and brought to your guesthouse or hotel on your first day by a member of the hospital staff. Please visit our volunteer housing and guesthouses page for further details on our preferred guesthouses and hotels.

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15. Where can I do my laundry? Most guesthouses provide laundry services for their guests. Otherwise, there are plenty of laundry services around town that are safe, efficient and inexpensive.

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16. What are my food options? Siem Reap offers various fabulous restaurants, cafés, and bars that serve a wide range of foods and drinks, all at a good price. The French colonial influence remains as there is a prevalence of baguettes sold everywhere. Western style breakfast and pastries are common here. Traditional Khmer food is excellent; people say it is similar to Thai food except with less spice. Amok fish is one very tasty dish that is offered in almost every restaurant. A number of restaurants recommended by AHC volunteers include Little India, The Khmer Kitchen, Moloppor, The Blue Pumpkin, The Dead Fish Towers, The Soup Dragon, The Red Piano, and Fast Food. There is no clean tap water in Siem Reap but AHC provides free purified water for volunteers. Bottled water is sold everywhere in Siem Reap. There are grocery stores such as Angkor Market and Star Mart who sell Western goods. There are the ubiquitous street markets to buy a variety of produce at cheap prices.

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17. Is medical insurance required? Medical facilities and services are limited in Cambodia. Volunteers are required to have adequate medical insurance which must include emergency evacuation. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payments for any medical treatment. Bring your insurance card, claim forms, and any other relevant insurance documents. Before departure, determine whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures

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18. What is the HIV/Aids situation like in Cambodia? Cambodia has the dubious distinction of having the highest HIV infection rate in all of Asia. Thus directly and indirectly, HIV is a real and serious health risk for all sexually active persons. The leading causes of expat deaths in developing countries are AIDS and motor vehicle accidents.

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19. What vaccinations are required for Cambodia? Volunteers are advised to refer to the Centre for Disease Control web-site (www.cdc.com) for up-to-date vaccinations.

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20. What is the current exchange rate? Cambodian Riel is the official currency in Cambodia but the US dollar is widely accepted. Most hotels and restaurants set their prices in US dollars. Always carry some riel for small purchases. Please refer to the AMZ Royal Bank web-site (www.anzroyal.com) for the current currency exchange rate.

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22. Are there ATM's in Siem Reap? ATM’s with international access are available across Siem Reap. Please note that all ATM’s dispense in US dollars. The ANZ Royal Bank has a number of ATM’s that accept Maestro, Cirrus, Visa Plus, Visa and Master Card.

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23. How much should I budget per day? A budget in Cambodia is around US$15-25 a day. You can get by on less or a lot more, but for $20 you'll get a decent room with a fan and three meals.

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24. How do I get around town? Siem Reap is small enough that everything is within walking distance from AHC, and the main centre of town. The hospital provides volunteers with quaint bicycles equipped complete with wire baskets. Motorbikes (motos) are no longer rented to tourists; however, moto and ‘tuk tuk drivers (small open taxis) are found on almost every street corner ready to provide rides around town and to the temples.

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25. What airlines fly to/from Siem Reap? The following airlines offer flights to/from Siem Reap: Siem Reap Airways (www.siemreapairways.com): Phnom Penh, Cambodia Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com): Bangkok, Thailand Lao Airlines (www.laoairlines.com): Vientiane, Laos Air Asia (www.airasia.com): Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Airlines (www.malaysia-airlines.com): Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Vietnam Airlines (www.vietnamairlines.com): Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam Jet Star Asia (www.jetstarasia.com): Singapore Silk Air (www.silkair.com): Singapore Asiana Airlines (www.asiana.com): Seoul, South Korea Korean Air (www.koreanair.com): Seoul, South Korea Please note there is a US $25 international departure tax when leaving Siem Reap Airport. Please visit our 'Volunteer Information' page for further details.

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26. What is the voltage in Cambodia? Cambodia's voltage is 220 AC, 50HZ. The plugs in Cambodia are not standardized and due to imports from Vietnam and Thailand, all sorts of variations exist. The most common are two pin round plugs.

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27. Is internet easily accessible and can I get online with my laptop? Internet cafés are located throughout Siem Reap and will cost you US $ .50 -.75 for every hour of internet. AHC has internet available for volunteers; however, due to limited resources please limit your personal time on the internet computers to 30 minutes. Laptops are an excellent option as a number of cafés and restaurants around town, such as the Blue Pumpkin, Singing Tree Café and Molly Malone’s offer free WiFi with purchase.

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28. Can I easily get my digital photos or film developed in Siem Reap? The cost of developing photos and burning digital CD’s is very inexpensive in Siem Reap compared to Western countries. There are numerous stores that provide such services and are fast, safe and efficient.

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29. Is there anything I should note about my personal security? Siem Reap is a safe city to live and work in for both men and women provided that one uses the same concern for their own security and common sense as they do in their own place of residence. Try not to wander around town alone after dark, keep an eye on your belongings, lock your bags and room when you leave, etc. The most obvious risk entails transportation as indicated. Though a small town, Siem Reap is still a town and should be treated accordingly. The main mode of transportation in the area is motorcycles, making up 75% of road traffic, and only 10% of the drivers/passengers wear helmets, though even that figure seems a bit high. As Siem Reap is far smaller than cities such as Phnom Penh, severe accidents are less frequent; however 90% of the road accidents in Cambodia include motorcycles (according to WHO). So, caution while riding a motorcycle in the area is strongly advised.

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30. Are landmines a problem? Every new person to Cambodia asks the same question. Here are your answers:

There are no landmines in the city of Siem Reap.
There are no longer landmines in the temples.
The majority of landmines are along the borders of former Khmer Rouge areas or former zones of conflict.
If you are worried, consider that many Cambodians, tourists and cows, have traversed the same local paths and fields you will be walking.
Between 1992 - 2002 207 million square meters of land was demined and the effort is ongoing. For further information about the demining effort in Cambodia please click on the link to the Landmine Monitor website.

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31. Are gyms easily accessible? There are a variety of gyms that are part of hotels; most hotels offer memberships to their gyms, pools and shower facilities. For volunteers wanting to attend physical fitness centers or gyms, the staff at AHC can help arrange memberships at local hotel leisure facilities that cost $35 - $90 per month. The Singing Tree Café offers yoga classes during the week. Please visit our 'General Information' page for further details.

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32. What can I do during my free time? There are numerous activities to do and sites to visit here and around Siem Reap. Siem Reap’s main attractions are the many temples of Angkor, the most famous and best-preserved being the 12th century Angkor Wat temple. The temples are one of the 7th Wonders of the World and are located just ten minutes outside of Siem Reap. An interesting review of the region's history can be found on Wikipedia. For information concerning the temples and tours of Angkor and around Siem Reap, boat tours on the Tonle Sap Lake, food and drink, entertainment and other businesses please visit our 'Links' page.

Other options include:

The Angkor National Museum (www.angkornationalmuseum.com).
The Sunrise Children’s Village Orphanage (www.sunrisechildrensvillage.com) offers a Khmer dance show every Sunday at 14:00.
Singing Tree Café (www.singingtreecafe.com) offers a weekly movie night every Wednesday night and offers yoga classes during the week.
Les Chantiers Ecoles is a school specializing in teaching wood and stone carving techniques to young artisans. It gives artisans fulfilling and stable working conditions and provides them with a vocation, so that they can express their talents and continue to develop their skills. The school has a shop on site called Artisans d‘Ángkor (www.artisansdangkor.com)
The art exhibitions at The Arts Lounge at the Hotel de la Paix and Warehouse restaurant.