Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Placements in Cambodia

Intern abroad in Cambodia There is a real shortage of skilled physiotherapists and occupational therapists in Cambodia. If you are studying or practicing, there is a role for you in supporting the treatment of babies, children, and adults with a wide range of physical problems.

The programs offer great opportunities for professional and personal development while understanding the challenges and techniques used in a variety of settings in the wonderful country which is Cambodia.

Volunteering in Cambodia as a Physiotherapist

All Physiotherapy interns in Cambodia must have completed at least one year of related studies or training by the time they join this project.

Interning abroad in Cambodia As with all our programs, volunteers must be proactive and enthusiastic. There are wonderful opportunities to make your time most worthwhile, but local staff are often too polite to tell you what to do. Ask and be willing, so many more doors will open for you.

Volunteer physiotherapists who are currently studying work at the National Baby and Children’s Centre. Interns who are fully qualified and can commit to at least two months on the project work at the Veterans International Centre.

The National Baby and Children’s Centre in Phnom Penh is home to over one hundred babies and children and the majority of them are physically or mentally disabled.

The Centre was established in 1980 to receive orphans and abandoned children from the city and other provinces. The children at the centre are very vulnerable and require constant care. It is important for volunteers to have a positive attitude and a real willingness to help children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities.

The physiotherapy department has scheduled children to spend quality time in the physiotherapy room as often as possible. Each child has different needs: some are learning to walk while others suffer from muscular problems. Other children need to have their joints massaged regularly to maintain their physical health. Extra assistance from volunteers with these tasks will allow more children to use the room and get treatment on a regular basis.

The physiotherapy room is relatively well equipped and includes cushions, balls, mats, and specialized chairs.

The Veterans International Kien Khleang Centre in Phnom Penh is one of three physical rehabilitation centres that Veterans International operates in Cambodia. Veterans International has been working with landmine victims and people with disabilities since 1991.

Volunteers work alongside one of the local physiotherapists and assist children and adults with a variety of conditions including landmine victims, people who have suffered from polio, people with cerebral palsy, and children with club feet. Depending on your level of knowledge and experience you may be given your own patients to work with.

The centre has an outdoor undercover treatment area where patients can practice walking up steps and on a variety of surfaces.

Volunteers in Cambodia live in shared apartments in the city. There are between 10 and 15 volunteers in each apartment making for a nice communal atmosphere. A housekeeper cooks and keeps the apartment tidy.

Volunteering as an Occupational Therapist in Cambodia

All Occupational Therapy volunteers in Cambodia must have completed at least one year of related studies or training by the time they join this project.

Internships abroad in Cambodia As with all our programs, volunteers must be proactive and enthusiastic. There are wonderful opportunities to make your time most worthwhile, but local staff are often too polite to tell you what to do. Ask and be willing, so many more doors will open for you.

Volunteers who are fully qualified and can commit to at least two months on the project can work at the Veterans International Centre.

Volunteers at the National Baby and Children’s Centre in Phnom Penh work with the over one hundred babies and children at the centre that have a variety of physical or mental disabilities.

The Centre is home to orphans and abandoned children from the city and other provinces. The children at the centre are very vulnerable and require constant care. It is important for volunteers to have a positive attitude and a real willingness to help children with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities.

Occupational Therapy volunteers can get involved in a wide range of work including developing and running a new sensory program, training the caregivers and teachers at the centre, and developing assessment forms. There may also be the opportunity to present your work to other NGOs and join meetings of the Disability Action Council.

Fully qualified Occupational Therapy volunteers at the Veterans International Centre work alongside the local staff to assist the patients in becoming independent in their daily lives. The centre has a traditional Cambodian house on the premises so the residents can get used to some of the potential challenges they may face when they return home. Depending on your level of knowledge and experience you may be given your own patients to work with after your first few weeks.

The work at the centre is geared toward providing disabled adults and children with the mobility to participate in community activities. The workshop at the centre is run by mostly disabled staff who make the wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs used by many of the patients. There are also teams of technical staff and physical and occupational therapists who treat the patients once they have had artificial limbs fitted for sampling.

Most new patients who come to the centre for an artificial limb will stay at the centre for at least two weeks so they can receive treatment from the physiotherapists and occupational therapists to make sure they are able to return to school or work as normal.

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How to apply

Volunteer Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy in Cambodia

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Placements in Cambodia

Volunteering in Cambodia as a Physiotherapist

Volunteering as an Occupational Therapist in Cambodia