CAMBODIA

Anticipated Trip Cost: $4,099
Anticipated Dates: July 7th- July 21st, 2025

Pursat, Cambodia

The Youthlinc Service Year has been going to Cambodia since the summer of 2011. Since that time, we have developed wonderful in country partnerships that allow for high touch, high impact, and high-quality experiences for our teams.

We have an incredible partnership with a local NGO called Sustainable Cambodia based out of Pursat, Cambodia. Sustainable Cambodia is an amazing organization dedicated to helping rural Cambodian villages achieve sustainability and self-sufficiency through infrastructure support, strong education initiatives, and professional training/development programs.

The need in Cambodia directly relates to the countries not so distant past. In the mid-late 70’s Cambodia fell under the power of the Khmer Rouge, a communist regime lead by Pol Pot. During the 4-year time period that the Khmer Rouge was in power they enacted a horrific genocide, killing between 1.5-3 million people, approximately 25% of the entire population of Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge left Cambodia in ashes nearly destroying their infrastructure. The Cambodian people are forgiving and resilient and have been working to rebuilding their country since that time.

The Youthlinc team’s also have some fun! You will be able to visit the beautiful Angkor Wat (a World Heritage site from the 12th century), go on a hike to a waterfall, and enjoy the local markets for some shopping.

Leadership Development

9-month leadership development program with integrated local service component
Youthlinc’s mission is to transform volunteers into lifetime humanitarians, which takes time and effort- we are not a “pay-and-go” program
Twenty five years of proven curriculum and data show that our program truly changes and improves our volunteers & communities abroad
Connect and build friendships with your team for 9 months prior to travel

Projects

Support the mission of Sustainable Cambodia, a Cambodian nonprofit, to make a lasting impact in rural villages
Projects relate to community health, business & vocational skills, ecological improvements, construction, cultural exchange, and education

What's Included?

We are a Utah-based program. Round-trip international airfare is included from Salt Lake City. Minors will never be asked to fly alone to another city to meet their team for the first time.
All meals, accommodation, transportation, & clean water
Excursions to Angkor Wat, Killing Fields, & waterfall hike
1 Day Elephant Sanctuary engagement and projects
Travel insurance, medical professional travels with team, 1:3 ratio of adults:students

Requirements

80 Hours of Local Service
Monthly Team Meeting Attendance
Engaged in Project Planning
Engaged in Project Fundraising
Uphold Youthlinc Code of Conduct
Passport (valid for 6 months after trip)
Cambodia Tourism Visa

Read about our 2024 projects

Meet Our
In-Country Coordinator

Polin Phang- Sustainable Cambodia

I have earned to master degrees. Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Rural Development and Project Management (MRD+PM). I began my first career as a teacher, teaching English and computer tech. I have been working with Sustainable Cambodia for 20 years. I moved from position to position involving the leadership roles. I am now the Executive Director of Sustainable Cambodia. What I love most about engaging with our communities is seeing the lives of those we work with improve. I have had the honor to watched kids grow and develop from their registration day through graduation day. They are incredible inspiring!

I am married with two children and when we aren't working in communities we are playing with our dog, watching movies and always trying to cut back on social media.

Sustainable Cambodia has been a Youthlinc Partner since 2010. At Sustainable Cambodia, we love that we share common goals to help others and create a better world.

Warm welcome to anyone traveling to Cambodia with Youthlinc from me and Sustainable Cambodia. We have made more friends from Utah, than anywhere in the world. Cambodia is always open to you! We look forward to working together hand in hand on projects and sharing our culture and getting to know you.

Sustainable Cambodia's Mission: Create self sustaining communities through safe water program, income generation, primary healthcare and quality education/higher education for the kids.

20240225_023511668_iOS - Polin Phang.heic

Meet the Team Leaders

Co-Team Leaders (TL)

Katie and Nick Martinez

We live in Murray and are parents to three daughters. We love our two dogs and traveling. Katie loves music and learning about new cultures and people. Nick loves golfing and curling. We’ve traveled to Thailand with Youthlinc before and loved everything we did. Katie is a social worker and Nick is an owner of a demolition company. We’ve been married 25 years. We look forward to having the best team and working hard to serve the community we visit in Cambodia.

Email: nickandkatie@youthlinc.org

Assistant Team Leader (ATL)

Brett Bostic

Hi, I'm Brett. I'm a Senior over at Murray High School. There's not a whole lot to know about me, but I'll give a rundown. I'm a creative human who's absolutely obsessed with photography/videography. I absolutely love everything on the topic of culture. Food, religion, philosophy, way of life- you name it! I love getting involved with my community and I'm doing my absolute best to leave a positive impact on the world before I die. ALSO, I love people!!! If you ever get the chance to talk to me, I'd love to hear your story!

Email: brett.b@youthlinc.org