ABOUTAsia Schools's work focuses on two important and distinct efforts. They are:

• Providing schools with volunteer teachers and classroom assistants;
  
• Supplying and sustaining facilities with basic classroom equipment (i.e., pencils, chalk, stationery, books, computers etc.) and fill specific, individual requests (i.e., student uniforms, paved walkways and floors, windows, etc.).

This is yet another non-government charity school, initially established on the property of a kind woman who has the idea of providing better education to underprivileged children who cannot afford the expensive private school tuition fee. Being the principal of a well-known private school herself, she started Smiling Hearts Association for Children (SHAC) from a one-room bamboo building, and as the number of the students grew from over 60 to 92, she managed to build two extra rooms.

SHAC provides mainly English lessons to the children, after having free time from the public school. All classes are at the primary level, which are divided into three grades. The school is always in need of volunteers to help teach in the class, as it cannot afford to pay any teachers.

It is located much closer, just 5 minutes ride away. The volunteers stay in town and commute to the school to teach two hours in the morning and another two in the afternoon. New ideas, such as hygiene lessons or recreational activities, are always welcome in this school, not just teaching English.

We are proud to announce that we have supported Krosang Roleung Primary School with volunteers, classroom supplies, and other school improvements. Located to the south of the town, on the way to Tonle Sap Lake, Krosang Roleung provides basic education in the primary and kindergarten level to more than 200 students. It is just next door to an ancient Hindu temple and a Buddhist pagoda, and we usually refer to this school as the Temple school.

Its surroundings provide a great environment for the students, and it's great place for our volunteers to walk around to explore the ancient culture of the Khmer people.

This school is very unique for the fact that it has English curriculum included besides general education. It has been driven by the parents and the teachers who want to give their children an early start to English language, and we supported the programme with textbooks for the students and the teacher, and our volunteers.

Volunteers stay in the town, and commute to the school which takes around 25 minutes (very close to Arthvea Association) by bicycle. A tuk-tuk (a carriage pulled by motorbike) is also a transport option to consider but is more expensive. The role of the volunteers is to assist in the English classroom, which is in afternoons only. The teachers and the principal are very keen to get help from native speakers in the language class.

Run by a dedicate Buddhist monk, Kok Chork Pagoda provides free English lessons to teenagers in the villages of Kok Chork, and even further. It is actually in the town, and cycling is the best commuting means.

The classes start only in afternoon at 3.00 p.m. and finish at 6.00 p.m. Most of them are at higher levels such as conversation and grammar classes. The school is a great place to volunteer and get to know the concept of the country religion - you give today, you get later.

For this school we look for volunteers who have some teaching experience before and can contribute to the development of the inexperienced Cambodian teacher volunteers there.

On the same way to Prey Chrouk, only closer, Sasasdam Primary School is 35 km from Siem Reap City on the main road to Thailand. 713 children come to attend the class every day, either in the morning or afternoon in this primary school for general education.

One of the teachers, Saran, who lives next door to the school, helps us make everything possible. He started the English programme, and found volunteer accommodation, which is just opposite the school building.

Our volunteers will be taken by AAS member to the school, and they stay in family accommodation, and walk to teach. Their role is to teach children who are from 5 to 12 years old, two hours in the morning, and another two in the afternoon. It is not part of the government curriculum and our previous volunteers brought a lot of new ideas into the classroom and were happily accepted by the excited children. There is a local teacher who will be at hand all the time to assist with the translation or help conduct the class.

The whole village is very friendly because they appreciate what volunteers have done to their community.

This school, located 45km from Siem Reap on the main road to Thailand, is surrounded by rice fields and is adjacent to a very small village. We have a very close, established bond with this particular school and the surrounding area because one of the secondary school buildings was built by ABOUTAsia Schools's founders, Andy Booth and David Chase!

A total of 1,200 students (600 primary, 600 secondary) attend either a four-hour morning or afternoon session. The teaching staff reports daily for a full eight-hour day.

Our volunteers will teach primary students English two hours in the morning and another two in the afternoon. English is not part of the official curriculum; happily, this principal is eager to give his students a head start. Four hours of volunteer assistance a day has helped make substantial progress toward achieving this aim.

Prey Chrouk School assistants have the unique option of sharing the top floor of a nearby family residence with other AboutAsia Schools volunteers. Conveniently located to the school, these rustic dormitory-style accommodation opens onto a large balcony and is a favorite among our younger volunteers and those wanting to enjoy rural village life. For more information see Prey Chrouk Family Accommodations.

We are pleased to announce the recent placement of our very first volunteer at this school, which is located only 9km from Siem Reap. The facility provides instruction for 600 primary and 480 secondary students. There is also a small kindergarten onsite.

The school has made a commitment to increase the English program. It is expected that for the new term at least one additional English teacher will be hired. AboutAsia is actively seeking volunteers to assist Krober Riel expand its English program.

Students attend classes for four hours in the morning or in the afternoon, while the teacher works a full eight-hour day. It is our policy to urge volunteers to carefully choose their block of work hours and to remember that days can become quite hot and sweaty, especially from April through July!

Also, we encourage everyone to schedule one-on-one sessions with local teachers who want to practice and improve their English. This is wonderful way to establish closer friendships and a terrific opportunity to learn some Khmer in exchange!

The Phom Svay School was originally built in 2009 by Rotary of Japan. Recently, it was lovingly updated and expanded by Austrian Ingrid Kunz. ABOUTAsia Schools was invited by the school's principal to visit and tour the school facilities and gardens. He is eager to begin offering afternoon English classes (not the norm for government primary schools) starting Fall semester 2010.

Presently there are 200 hundred students and four teachers (one English-speaking) at this stunning school, which is located a short distance off the main road to Siem Reap Airport. The principal has asked ABOUTAsia Schools's support in placing an English-speaking volunteer for two hours each afternoon. In addition, informal English language study sessions with the Cambodian teacher would be greatly appreciated, if possible.

We can offer rent free accommodation (no running water) in a nearby bamboo house. Not for the faint hearted. bed, mosquito net, cooking pots, cutlery crockery etc etc provided.

A non-profit organization run by a kind-hearted director, Professor Long Setha, Build Future Today Centre (BFT) offered teaching volunteer opportunities to those who want to spend two hours a day in late afternoon teaching English to Cambodian children. There are a wide ranges of levels from primary to upper. In each class, a volunteer will be working with a Cambodian teacher, helping him with the pronunciation, role play...etc.

Conveniently located in the middle of the town, our volunteers can stay in a guesthouse/hostel and walk or cycle to there. Normally, the director will introduce different projects at the centre to volunteers, such as community outreach program, gardening program, micro finance program, and others.

We are proud to announce our newest school, Wat Chork Secondary School, which we support with English speaking volunteers to help in the classroom. After visiting the school a few times, the principal is very keen to have native speakers help in his English classroom.

The volunteer role in this school is to assist the Cambodian teacher teaching children from the age of 12 to 16. The students have different levels of English and this might be a challenge. The teachers are really enthusiastic and ready to learn more themselves. Volunteers will be asked to commit at least two hours in the morning and another two in the afternoon.

It is within a good distance from the town. You can stay in a guesthouse/hostel and ride a bike there within fifteen minutes.