MISSION TO CAMBODIA

 A UNIQUE MISSION EXPERIENCE AMONG ABANDONED AIDS ORPHANS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN PHNOM PENH

Maryknoll operates a number of NGO's in Cambodia focused on assisting adults and children with HIV/AIDS.  The Little Sprouts is a program that cares for kids who have lost both parents and are refused by (or do not have) relatives to take care of them.  Come to Cambodia and learn about the culture and hardships faced by the Cambodian people, especially those suffering from AIDS. Make house visits with staff members from the Little Sprouts' Program and talk to the families of children with HIV/AIDS. Prepare letters and send their stories to donors in the United States. Little Sprouts gives financial assistance to families that have children with HIV/AIDS, and also has been providing life-saving generic anti-retroviral drugs to the children. This project has strengthened children's immune systems, and has prevented the constant barrage of opportunistic infections that AIDS causes.

Participants in this Mission Volunteer program will have the chance to play with the Little Sprouts, show them love and kindness, and help them feel just like other normal children. The future life of these kids won't be easy since discrimination is so prevalent in Cambodia. But come to Phnom Penh, you can make a difference!

Project Director: FR. KEVIN CONROY

Job Description:  

Visit homes of children who have parents with HIV/AIDS.  Play, teach, and pray with orphans who have been abandoned by parents who have died from AIDS.  Learn about the poor and suffering in Cambodia and help other AIDS organizations.

Duration:  

2-3 months.  Mission can be extended.

Housing: 

The director will offer lodging when available.  When not available, Volunteer must pay for room rental. 

Costs:  

The volunteer will pay for his/her own airfare.  Food costs will be at the expense of the Volunteer.  The currency exchange is  1 US Dollar = 4,204.97 Cambodian Riels.  The volunteer would be responsible for any other needs she/he may have.

Support:  

Maryknoll is a key player in responding to Cambodia's HIV /AIDS crisis, which had already reached pandemic proportions.  Volunteers can count on Maryknoll's mission team working in this ministry as a source of support. 

Challenges: 

The Little Sprout's Orphanage is a well organized pastoral center with many different programs and functions taking place each day.  One is never alone there!  The Little Sprouts and other AIDS projects sponsored by the Catholic Church is a safe environment, so one need not be concerned about personal security when walking around.  Although Khmer is the language of Cambodia, Volunteers will be accompanied by translators during their visits.