Safety in Areyksat, Cambodia What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
We were in Shai Hills/ Doryum at a ministry called City of Refuge Ministries. If you are placed at CORM, there aren’t many reasons to leave their campus except for adventure days in which you will most likely be with your team. If you ever do go out for something other than adventure days, like an ATM or something, it’s best to go in groups of 2-4 people for safety and to avoid traveling at night if at all possible. None of us really ever felt unsafe except when we were in Ashaiman at night… Which if this happens, we just took a taxi back instead of a Tro Tro. Other than that though, safety never was an issue.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Areyksat, Cambodia Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
We worked with City of Refuge Ministries in Shai Hills/ Doryum and it was wonderful. Everything about it was amazing…their vision, their staff, the kids, the work we did…etc. if you get the chance to go here, get pumped, because it’s going to be amazing. They have a website that explains what they do far better than I can. But, basically, they work with IJM to rescue kids from trafficking in the Lake Volta region. They provide them with homes to live in, a Christian school to attend, and work towards restoration.
Lodging
Lodging in Areyksat, Cambodia Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
If you are at CORM, you live on campus in their volunteer home, which is right across from the founder’s home. Oh and CORM is basically in the bush of Africa. There are 2 rooms, each with a bathroom and shower and bunks. Every day, your porch will be flooded with kids waiting on you to come out and play with them. It’s great 🙂 Oh, and bring earplugs… Those roosters though.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Areyksat, Cambodia What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
At CORM, 3 Ghanean meals are provided everyday. And their food is the bomb. Seriously, so good. And they have a store that you can purchase snacks and ice cream at.
Transportation
Transportation in Areyksat, Cambodia What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
CORM sent a bus to pick us up to take us to our ministry site. It was included in the budget. Then they got us a Tro Tro to take us to the airport at the ended the month. To travel to and from CORM on off days and what not, you can walk through the military base to the road and catch a Tro Tro for really cheap. To get to the Accra Mall, you take a Teo Tro to Ashaiman, and then from Ashaiman to Accra.
Medical
Medical in Areyksat, Cambodia Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
Luckily, CORM is right next to the military training base, so should you get sick, they have a hospital that is within walking distance. If you catch malaria or something, you will just go there. However, a girl on my team went, and she tried to fill out the medical forms later for her medical insurance and she couldn’t because she didnt have all the info needed. So make sure to ask absolutely everything they are doing for you, whether it is tests, what medicines or fluids they give you, how much each thing costs… Etc. and write it down.
Communication
Communication in Areyksat, Cambodia Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
CORM has Internet, but we share it with the Omorfe family too, which houses like 15 people, so it’s not all that reliable. About 2 weeks in the Internet crashed and we didn’t have it the rest of the time. Our TL’s had to travel to Accra just for Internet to communicate with our SQL’s. We picked up SIM cards and minutes in Ashaiman. We had 3 team phones and had to recharge them all because we ran out of minutes and barely even used them. So I would get at least 10 cedi worth for each.
Financial
Financial in Areyksat, Cambodia Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
CORM is in the bush. There is not anything nearby. So if you need an ATM, you will have to go to at least Ashaiman. There are plenty of banks and ATM’s there. The ATM’s will be hit or miss. Sometimes they have money, sometimes not. If Ashaiman fails you, the Accra Mall has an ATM hallway. It’s just further to travel to. Most all ATM’s have transaction fees. And for treasurers, CORM wants you to pay 2 weeks at a time, so most likely you will need both your card and your TL’s card to pull out that much money.
Translators
Translators in Areyksat, Cambodia List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
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Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Areyksat, Cambodia What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
Art Market- Near the Accra Mall. It’s basically a market where you can buy a bunch of souvenirs and experience an African market.Hiking- If you want a free, adventurous, day excursion, the boys at CORM will take you hiking in Shai Hills. It’s beautiful. There is not really a path, so plan on getting dirty. But the boys love it and will love that you asked them to go.Cape Coast- We actually rented an AirBnB on the beach, which was beautiful. We went to the Kakum National Park to do the canopy walk, which is awesome and so worth it. Google it. Then we spent the night in our house in the beach and swam in the pool and ocean. It’s like a resort. The next day we went to the El Mina Slave Castle. Then we had another team of ours staying in Cape Coast for their ministry, so we met up with them for lunch before heading back.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Areyksat, Cambodia Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
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Tips
People’s Opinions
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Additional Info
Additional Info in Areyksat, Cambodia Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?