Child Welfare - Testimonials

What previous volunteers have to say about this project...

Lily - May (2011) 3 weeks - Singapore

This is a very enriching experience for me. I came with no expectations and i gained so much through my interaction with the children at Prolit village and the MaD team. The children's smiles and their contentment on simple things are priceless. The MaD team is very approachable, helpful and friendly. And as everyone here says, everyone in MaD is a little crazy. Haha…life needs some kind of craziness to keep saint, don't we? I had a great, great time working with the team with lots and lots of laughters! You do not need to accomplish big things to make a difference. Small and simple actions can make a difference too!

Kylie - April 2011 (3 weeks) - Australia

I didn't realise how much I would fall in love with Cambodia so I would definitely come back. 2 weeks just was not enough for me. I have met some really great people here who do good things. At the Project the children are inspiring and spirited which reflects on you and helps you come back down to earth, away from the rat race of what is considered "normal" and allows you to value the smaller things in life. I would recommend even just coming to Cambodia to experience what it has to offer. I will remember this quote from Songhy after saying that everything in Cambodia is small, the fruit especially. He replied, "everything may be small, but Cambodia's heart is big" This is true.

Kathryn - March 2011 (3 weeks) - Australia

I spent three amazing weeks being part of this great organisation. The great work that MAD is doing for the community is very beneficial and I would recommend this experience to anyone. The Starling family made me feel very welcome and provided great support.

Claerwen - February 2011 (3 weeks) - Tasmania

I feel in love with the kids the moment I saw them. They are all so happy and keen to learn and be loved. I enjoyed every moment out at the project. I really wish I stayed longer that's my only down side. For some two weeks is long enough but 4 weeks would of been perfect. In some ways I really dont think I contributed anything to the progress of the project. But when I look back on it we did so much in a small amount of time and the kids just love being loved and hugged. It was awesome to see such a passion in the older children to learn and become better in their english. I think the way the child welfare program is being run is fantastic and it was awesome to be apart of it!

Sarah - January 2011 (2 weeks) - Australia

I had the most amazing experience on the child welfare project. MaD base camp is great, the food is fantastic, the accommodation very comfortable and all the mad staff are lovely and friendly. The base camp is nice and close to Siem Reap town, I had a great balance of time on the project and my own time to discover Siem Reap. The project was fantastic – I feel I got a true Cambodian experience spending 2 weeks in Prolit village. The children were beautiful. Teaching them everyday and watching their progress was very rewarding. After 2 weeks I feel that I don't want to leave, and I am really hoping to come back here one day.

Bethiina – December 2010 (3 weeks) - Norway

Thanks for everything, I had a great time! ☺

Li Mae – November 2010 (1 week) - Australia

Thanks MaD for being able to provide me the opportunity to contribute to the Child Welfare project. It has been an invaluable experience to provide to a village community in Cambodia. I highly recommend MaD to anyone wishing to volunteer and "make a difference" in Cambodia.

Nicola - August 2010 (6 weeks) - Australia

Coming to Cambodia do to voluntary work was something that I had wanted to do for a number of years, even though my trip was planned and arranged within a matter of months it is a trip that I will cherish. I came with little expectations and knowing very little about the NGO's in Cambodia. It has definitely been an eye-opener to the NGO's that are run throughout Siem Reap, as they aren't all that they appear to be. However, with Mad everything is done according to the regulations and
Phil, Conchetta, Sofi, Thuy, the staff and the other volunteers here are more than welcoming and accommodating. They have made my stay unforgettable. The time that I spent teaching the students at the school has been a blessing. Going to classes everyday and seeing the smile on the children's faces, just reinforces the work that I had come to work. The children are wonderful, polite and very courteous. I know that I will miss seeing their faces every day and look forward to coming back again some day soon to see them all again. Overall, I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to come to Cambodia to offer my time to assist others. The work that MaD do within the rural communities and the projects within the schools is wonderful. When visiting Prolit, the chief of the village and the people living within the community were so thankful for the support that Mad has provided to them. It has definitely been an amazing experience and one that I would recommend to others!!

Jaime - July 2010 (3 weeks) – USA

Being here feels like I get to be part of a second family and I have loved every minute of it. I've learned so much about myself, about what I want in life, and about how the world is outside of the bubble I grew up in. MaD is such an amazing place, and I feel so lucky to be part of it. I really can't wait to come back and stay longer. It feels more like I'm going on vacation for a couple months, and when I get back to MaD, then I'll be home.

This has been of the best experiences of my life so far, and I am so sad to be going. You guys have done such a wonderful job creating and building MaD, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for it. I'll miss you both very much.

Margaret - June 2010 (1 week) - Canada

I Googled "Volunteer Cambodia" and came across MaD, read the webpage and decided to volunteer with this organization based on the instinct that it was a safe, reliable, legit NGO. Upon arriving I was greeted by a warm loving volunteer family and brought to a beautiful, relaxing, caring environment! I was relieved to know I was in very good hands with MaD. The food and accommodation have been yummy and comfortable! It is obvious that Phil (MaD's CEO) is a true philanthropist and so very passionate about his work, the projects, staff, volunteers and his family. Volunteering with MaD has been an amazing, eye opening, insightful way to experience Cambodia. "Making a Difference" for good feels really good!!! Just Do it!!

Marielle - May 2010 (1 month) - Australia

The 4 ½ weeks that I spent at MaD is something that I will take with me forever, in what the organization are doing for the community in trying to improve the wellbeing of the Cambodian people is an inspiration.

Teresa - November 2009 (3 weeks) - Portugal

I am already planning my trip back, that's how much I loved coming and being here! I think we made a big progress with the kids' English (reading and writing), but I think it is difficult to evaluate my contribution because everyone around them has a lot of influence on their learning experience, not only with their English skills but also with their care.

Katherine - October 2009 (1 week) – UK

Working with MaD has definitely been CHANANG NA!!!

Helen - October 2009 (1 week) - UK

Personally I would recommend anyone who wants to volunteer in Cambodia to look at the worth while projects run by MaD. My volunteering experience with them was fantastic. I taught in a small orphanage where the children were lovely and the director was appreciative of the opportunities MaD was providing for the children. MaD as an organisation is completely sincere in its efforts to make a genuine difference for good which is what impressed me most, the individual members of the team were friendly and supportive throughout my placement and gave me the experience of teaching English that I had been looking for. Volunteering through MaD also gives volunteers lots of chance to meet other volunteers to share their experience with making for an enjoyable as well as a rewarding experience.

Anna - June 2009 (12 weeks) – Tasmania

This has been a life changing experience, one that I will never forget. I am so lucky to have been able to spend the past 12 weeks with the children and I will miss them a lot. They are truly special and unique kids and I feel honoured to have met them and been in their lives. Their smiles, laughter and excitement when they experience new things for the first time (pizza, ice-cream, swimming, riding in the car) and being able to see all that and be a part of it, it gives you an indescribable feeling . The decision to volunteer with MaD will be one of the best decisions I think I will ever make.

Faye - April 2009 (5 weeks) – UK

I had a great time helping out and would recommend it to my friends; it's a shame I had to leave.

Izzie October 2009 (1 week), Student – UK

Thank you so much for having me in the MaD House for a week. It was so kind of you to open your home to me, and incredible that you have done it for these children who are amazing. I had so much fun with them and they are all so adorable, it will be very hard to say goodbye. It was so good being able to go in to Siem Reap when we wanted and thank you for taking us around the temples. Altogether the experience was unforgettable and I cannot wait to tell everybody about you!

Xenia - March 2009 (4 weeks) - Denmark

I was completely overwhelmed by how all the children just welcomed me with their little arms open on my very first day at the project. I have really enjoyed getting to know them all – and it has been so amazing to see how much they have changed in those 2 weeks they have been here in the house. You look at them now; well fed, clean, neat clothing, and most importantly a big smile! – it is almost like they weren't orphans.

Katie - Feb 2009 (1 week) - Australia

I had a great time, everyone was really friendly and the kids were great to spend time with. However, staying one week isn't really long enough to be able to find your feet and start becoming part of the programme. I would definitely recommend MaD and I hope to return soon.

David - Jan 2008 (3 weeks) - Australia

Having travelled South East Asia for a number of months it became increasingly clear that i wanted to volunteer my time to a worthwhile cause. Making a Difference for Good helped with placement to a needy orphanage, began comphensive introductions and provided ongoing support over my 2 weeks of volunteering. As well as being a professional organisation, MaD were also a welcolming family where I and others were made to feel part of a team. I fulfiled my ambition to support a worthy cause and discovered it was the highlight of my trip. I have future desire to return to Cambodia, a very needy country with beautiful and gentle people. I will certainly work with MaD when this happens, and I recommend volunteering to people of all ages and life experiences. MaD wil facilitate a worthwhile experience that will bring many smiles for years to come - including yourselves!