Sustainable Development Goals
The Project
Karuna Battambang Organization (KBO) is a non-profit organization in Cambodia dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable people, especially those with disabilities. Its vision is to build an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and reach their full potential. Through programs in education, health, vocational training, and income generation, its mission is to provide comprehensive support and promote autonomy and social inclusion. Its objective is to empower people with disabilities and their families by facilitating access to resources and opportunities to enhance their well-being and participation in society.
KBO has requested a Physiotherapist for a 12-24 month placement.
Main Responsibilities of the volunteer:
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Train caregivers and staff
Support Provided:
- Accommodation and meals
- Small monthly living allowance
- National language training
- Comprehensive preparation and ongoing support, including peer support
Since inception, KBO’s social and humanitarian projects, including support for people with disabilities, education, agriculture and environment, health and socio-economic development, have benefitted about 50,000 people and hosted many international volunteers from Australia, Europe and other parts of the world.
The Location
Kampong Chhnang, meaning ‘Port of Pottery’, is the capital city of Kampong Chhnang Province in central Cambodia and is a noted port on the Tonle Sap River. The small city is connected to Phnom Penh (91km away) by a national highway route and railway. The province centuries ago was a coastal city on the route between China and India. The economy of the area is dominated by rice production. Traditionally, many locals live in floating fishing villages during the high-water monsoon season.
KBO provides residents from remote villages in the region with safe and supervised clinical care and education.
The Challenge
In Cambodia, during the Pol Pot conflict, many lives were lost, including those of doctors, teachers, and individuals with education. Although the country is currently recovering from that period, access to education remains challenging for many children. Additionally, careers like medicine or physiotherapy require many years of study, something that many are not willing to commit to. Those who manage to complete a physiotherapy degree may not stay in the province. These, among other factors, make it difficult to hire a local physiotherapist. However, currently, in the province of Kompong Chhnang, the project for people with intellectual disabilities has a physiotherapist, and a team of doctors visits regularly to follow up with the beneficiaries. It is expected that, in the future, the project will have another physiotherapist in Battambang.
Karuna Battambang Organization (KBO) began with humanitarian work to support landmine victims in Cambodia in the 1990s. The urgent need to assist people with disabilities, particularly in Battambang, saw the work of KBO expand to provide prosthetics, rehabilitation, education, and employment opportunities. Now its work includes support for other vulnerable groups, such as at-risk children and impoverished communities. Karuna Battambang Organization has been an independent NGO since 2016 and now has around 250 employees.
This role requires qualified physiotherapists to assist with clinical therapy, to supplement the skills available locally.
About You
This placement is perfect for a post-tertiary gap year or career break for mature and motivated allied health professionals looking to make a real difference while gaining invaluable international experience.
Volunteers should possess these personal qualities:
- Commitment to teamwork, coaching, and mentoring others
- Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings
- Patience, tolerance and flexibility
- A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment
- Committed to gender equality, children protection and disability inclusion
- Personal attributes of flexibility, patience and a sense of humour. Friendly, open to learn, patient, non-judgemental; good communication skills; able to explain things simply; able to understand different accents and English as an International Language
- Cultural sensitivity and openness to working within a different cultural context
- The ability to cope with cultural isolation and different living standards, and a willingness to participate actively with fellow staff and students in order to build strong relationships
How You Will Help
Your degree or diploma in physiotherapy and experience or training in working with individuals with intellectual disabilities, will help with rehabilitation and mobility support. Your strong communication skills, adaptability, and compassionate approach will assist co-workers and beneficiaries in the project.
With previous experience in physiotherapy, particularly in working with individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, any experience in rehabilitation, mobility training, and adaptive physical therapy will provide effective support for residents. Additionally, you will be a valuable multidisciplinary team member, working in community-based rehabilitation programs and low-resource settings, helping to meet the project’s needs and challenges.