My Nonprofit Reviews

I was living in Shanghai and preparing to move back to the US. Before repatriating, I really wanted to volunteer at a nonprofit that was doing good in this world in a place that really needed it. A friend of mine lived in Cambodia for 6 months, working for Angkor Hospital for Children, so trusted her recommendation for credible nonprofits, and JWOC was at the top of her list.

David, the Education and Volunteer Manager was very responsive when receiving my inquiry. Highly professional, David was extremely informative - orienting me to JWOC and the programs which I would be working on, and provided recommendations on living accommodations and general FYI’s as a first time visitor to Cambodia.

During my volunteer experience, JWOC was in transition with staff and within their community outreach and training programs, so I believe I came at a great time to help make an impactful change. My focus for the month would be in reshaping their Health & Nutrition Training and Positive Parenting programs. Kneath, the Managing Director is a great leader and was very supportive/ open to some of my program development recommendations.

One thing I love about traveling is simply the people you meet along the way and their life stories - I got to know several of the scholarship student recipients, who were either teachers for the JWOC free classes/ part of the Community Support team, and it was so incredible to learn about their aspirations. Every child attending free classes and programs offered at JWOC had such a light in their eyes, and an eagerness to learn. The villiagers I met that signed up for Home Gardens training (farming crops and composting) also seemed so happy to come together as a community to learn and grow together.

Whether it was doing research online, or hanging out in the library reading and playing educational games with the children who attend JWOC programs, it was all such a joy! Firsthand helping promote creativity in Cambodia’s youth during Sunday Art Classes and joining staff out in the village to help facilitate training on farming crops and composting was also very fruitful and rewarding.

It was a privilege to work with such wonderful people and be a part of something bigger than me. If you are looking for a great non-profit to volunteer at, get in touch with my friends at JWOC and see where they might be able to leverage your skills/ experience.

Thank you, JWOC for the opportunity to serve the Siem Reap community with you!