About Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and the Gulf of Thailand coastline. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, the glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum’s historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country’s northwest are the ruins of Angkor Wat, a massive stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire. Cambodia is bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand. Its capital and largest city is Phnom Penh. Known for its rich history and cultural heritage, Cambodia was the center of the powerful Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries, with the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex as a testament to its grandeur. The country endured a tragic period under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, which resulted in the deaths of around two million people. Today, Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with a developing economy based on tourism, agriculture, textiles, and construction. Despite its challenges, Cambodia continues to rebuild and modernize while preserving its cultural identity.

Capital: Phnom Penh
Currency: Cambodian riel
Official language: Khmer
Government: Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy, One-party state, Elective monarchy
King: Norodom Sihamoni
Continent: Asia
Population: 16.94 million (2023)

About Siem Reap:

Siem Reap is the second-largest city of Cambodia, as well as the capital and largest city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap has French-colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter and around the Old Market. In and around the city there are museums, traditional Apsara dance performances, a Cambodian cultural village, souvenir and handicraft shops, silk farms, rice paddies in the countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near Tonlé Sap, and a cosmopolitan drinking and dining scene. Siem Reap city, home to the famous Angkor Wat temples, was named the ASEAN City of Culture for the period 2021–2022. Today, Siem Reap has many hotels, resorts, and restaurants, due to its proximity to the Angkor Wat temples, Cambodia’s most popular tourist attraction.

The Need In Cambodia

Cambodia’s healthcare system faces challenges typical of developing nations: infrastructure gaps, urban-rural disparities, workforce shortages, and funding constraints. However, these challenges present numerous opportunities for improvement and investment.

Where We Serve In Cambodia

ISL works within a variety of communities and organizations in Cambodia.  ISL serves two communities. One is Siem Reap city where ISL partner with Enjoy Church Siem Reap. Another community that ISL serves is in Ron Ta Aek district which is about 40 minutes from the hotel by bus. ISL partners with Freedom Life Center for this community.

Cultural Exploration

With ISL Cambodia, you’ll have many opportunities to explore the culture of those you serve through a variety of activities such as Khmer cooking classes, where you will learn how to cook one of many famous and delicious Cambodian dishes, one of which is Kor Kor (Stir vegetable soup with fish or pork and ribs). Dance llasses (folk and modern):are also a great way to explore the local culture as you learn the basics of  Khmer Traditional dance Ramvong, Ram Kb’ach, Saravan etc. City Tours provide you the opportunity to walk around the city and explore parks, old colonial-style buildings, theaters, and museums such as Angkor National Museum, Cambodia War Museum, and Cambodia ArtBox. Farmer’s Markets typically will have vibrant colors of the many tropical fruits and vegetables grown in Cambodia, where you will have an opportunity to taste the season’s latest harvest.  Some markets are open during weekdays and offer a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, as well as typical Cambodian foods such as chicken fried rice, Fish Amok, Bro Hok, Samlor Kor Kor, fried chicken with ginger and more.

Recreation

When it comes time to get out and explore, you’ll see why Cambodia is said to be one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Dependent on the location of the clinic you may have opportunities to go ziplining, boarding water ski, and tour Phnom Kulen Naitional Park

Country Coordinator

Chanleak Chea has been working with ISL for the past year to develop the ISL experience in Cambodia.

Chanleak is from Kampong Cham province, and he now lives with his family in Siem Reap City, where he shares that everyone has a great sense of humor, so there’s always laughter at home. What he loves most about his country is the spirit of the people, their resilience, kindness, and sense of community. No matter the challenges, they stand together. He learned some of this resilience himself during college when after weeks of preparation he was able to successfully deliver a presentation! This effort helped him to realize he was capable of more than he gave myself credit for, a moment that helped him to gain confidence and change how he approached challenges in both academics and life … very similar to what our students are experiencing! Chanleak works on Saturday/Sunday as a part-time location pastor for Enjoy Church Siem Reap.

As the ISL Country Coordinator, Chanleak facilitates international electives by coordinating placements for students with local hospital and doctors. His responsibilities include organizing clinical rotations, ensuring cultural and professional orientation, acting as a liaison between students and local people, and providing logistical and administrative support to ensure a smooth and enriching experience for all participants. Additionally, he organizes accommodations, transportation and whatever it takes for the work of ISL. Chanleak is inspired by the opportunity to bridge cultures and foster meaningful learning and experiences. He loves working with people, and helping communities. As the ISL Country Coordinator he believes he is in a great position to share God’s love with people.

Cambodia's Staff

We love our staff and we are positive that you will too! Each staff member is professional, courteous, and has the same passion as you do: to serve others.

Chanleak Chea
Country Coordinator