Cambodia

Cambodia has a long, rich and complex history. Cambodians are proud of their culture and their ancient past, but at the same time they are still recovering from the tragedies of their more recent history. The near-total destruction by the Khmer Rouge of the nation's educated workforce and infrastructure during the period 1975–1979 left Cambodia with a serious need for trained and educated people. Most Cambodians are eager to improve their lives and they view acquiring English language skills as a means to help accomplish this goal.

Although the Peace Corps and the Royal Government of Cambodia signed an agreement in 1994, political instability and budgetary constraints did not allow Peace Corps to establish a post in Cambodia until 2006. An assessment completed by the Peace Corps in 2005 found that the administrative and security infrastructure in Cambodia was sound, and that the opportunities for Volunteers to work safely and effectively had improved significantly. While Cambodia's development needs are great, and much of the country's infrastructure is still lacking, there are enough supports in place to ensure safe and productive assignments for Peace Corps Volunteers.

The first Peace Corps Volunteers in Cambodia began their service in April 2007. They are teaching English and training teachers in upper secondary schools and Regional Teacher Training Centers in seven provinces throughout the country.

Last updated Sep 28 2008