Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Unofficial extensions are the easiest to arrange for visitors, taking just a couple of days to arrange. It costs
US$45 for one month, US$75 for three months, US$155 for six months and US$285 for one year. It's pretty
straightforward to extend the visa ad infinitum. Travel agencies and some motorbike-rental shops in Phnom
Penh can help with arrangements, sometimes at a discounted price.
THE PERILS OF ORPHANAGE TOURISM
In recent years, visiting orphanages in the developing world - Cambodia in particular - has become a
popular activity, but is it always good for the children and the country in the longer run? Tough ques-
tion. 'Orphan tourism' and all the connotations that come with it are a disturbing development that is
bringing unscrupulous elements into the world of caring for Cambodian children. There have already
been reports of new orphanages opening up with a business model to bring in a certain number of vis-
itors per month. In other cases, the children are not orphans at all, but are 'borrowed' from the local
school for a fee.
In a report released in November 2009, Save the Children stated that most children living in
orphanages throughout the developing world have at least one parent still alive. More than eight milli-
on children worldwide are living in institutions, with most sent there by their families because of
poverty rather than the death of a parent. Many are in danger of abuse and neglect from carers, as well
as exploitation and international trafficking, with children aged under three most at risk.
'One of the biggest myths is that children in orphanages are there because they have no parents.
This is not the case,' the report states. 'Most are there because their parents simply can't afford to
feed, clothe and educate them.' From 2005 to 2010, the number of orphanages in Cambodia almost
doubled from 153 to 269. Of the 12,000 Cambodian children in institutions, only about 28% are genu-
ine orphans without both parents.
Many orphanages in Cambodia are doing a good job in tough circumstances. Some are world class,
enjoy funding and support from wealthy benefactors, and don't need visitors; others are desperate
places that need all the help they can get. However, if a place is promoting orphan tourism, then pro-
ceed with caution, as the adults may not always have the best interests of the children at heart. Cam-
bodia is a confusing and confounding place and it's not for us to play judge and jury, but we do be-
lieve travellers should be informed before they make a decision.
Friends International and Unicef joined forces in 2011 to launch the 'Think Before Visiting' cam-
paign. Learn more at www.thinkchildsafe.org/thinkbeforevisiting/ before you inadvertently contribute
to the problem.
Volunteering
There are fewer opportunities for volunteering than one might imagine in a country as impoverished as
Cambodia. This is partly due to the sheer number of professional development workers based here, and de-
velopment is a pretty lucrative industry these days.
Cambodia hosts a huge number of NGOs, some of which do require volunteers from time to time. The
best way to find out who is represented in the country is to drop in on the Cooperation Committee for
 
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