Salesian Missionary Volunteering

Don Bosco Technical and Hotel School

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Site Overview

Don Bosco Technical & Hotel School in Sihanoukville is a ministry of the Salesians of Don Bosco dedicated to providing quality technical and vocational education to Cambodian young people, particularly those from poor and vulnerable families. Founded in 1999 as a project of the Don Bosco Foundation of Cambodia, the school seeks to give young people practical skills, personal formation, and employment opportunities that can help them break the cycle of poverty. Thousands of young people have graduated from its programs and gone on to work in businesses, NGOs, government agencies, and the hospitality and tourism industries throughout Cambodia.

The school offers two-year technical programs with a strong emphasis on practical training. Areas of study include Hospitality & Tourism, Electricity, Automotive, Mechanical/Welding, and Secretarial Science. Students generally come from rural areas or families with limited economic resources, and some are orphaned or otherwise vulnerable. Scholarship programs, boarding opportunities for poorer students, and other forms of assistance make technical education accessible to young people who might otherwise be unable to continue their studies.

The campus also operates the Don Bosco Hotel, established in 2007 to provide hands-on hospitality training while helping generate income to sustain the educational mission. Hospitality students receive practical formation in front office operations, food and beverage service, culinary arts, and housekeeping. For a Salesian Lay Missioner, the placement offers the opportunity to live and work alongside Salesians, Cambodian staff, and young adults while contributing to an educational environment shaped by Don Bosco’s Preventive System.

Available Ministries

  • Education
  • Vocational
  • Electrical
  • Project Development Office (PDO)
  • Youth & Campus Ministry

Location

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Time Commitment

1 year

Opportunities

Female, Male

Language

ENG

Posted by Roberto Panetto

Current Volunteers

No results available

Ministry Background

Don Bosco Technical School Sihanoukville was founded in 1999 and has more than 25 years of experience providing technical education in Sihanouk Province. The school has developed partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, businesses, international organizations, and past pupils to strengthen its programs and connect students with professional opportunities.

The Don Bosco Hotel was established on February 12, 2007, specifically to support disadvantaged Cambodian youth by providing thorough education and practical experience in the hospitality industry. Today, the hotel is both a training environment and part of the school’s effort toward financial self-sustainability.

Purpose & Objectives

The purpose of the ministry is to provide integral, relevant technical education to young people in need, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to develop professional skills and become responsible members of society. The school intentionally combines technical competency with personal and moral formation in the spirit of Don Bosco.

Programs, Activities, & Other Projects

Depending on the volunteer’s skills and the current needs of the community, opportunities may include:

  • English-language tutoring and conversation practice
  • Computer and technology assistance
  • Hospitality and tourism training
  • Helping students prepare résumés or practice employment interviews
  • Recreational activities and sports
  • Assistance with school events and student activities
  • Communications, photography, or social media
  • Supporting the school’s scholarship and outreach efforts
  • Assisting with the Don Bosco Hotel
  • Technical or maintenance projects for volunteers with appropriate skills

The wider Don Bosco work in Sihanoukville also includes a children’s scholarship program, kindergarten, boarding assistance for poorer students, and vocational training within the provincial prison.

Duties & Responsibilities

A volunteer’s responsibilities will depend upon their background and the needs of the school, but may include:

  • Teaching or tutoring English
  • Providing English conversation practice to students
  • Assisting teachers in classrooms and workshops
  • Supporting students in computer and professional-skills development
  • Assisting with hospitality and tourism education
  • Helping students develop communication skills for interaction with international guests
  • Supporting recreational, athletic, and extracurricular activities
  • Accompanying students during school activities and special events
  • Assisting with administrative, communications, or development projects
  • Supporting the Don Bosco Hotel and its training activities when appropriate
  • Participating in the daily educational and pastoral life of the school
  • Building positive relationships with students through a consistent and joyful Salesian presence

Practical Qualifications/Skills Needed

  • Desire to work with young adults, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Flexibility and willingness to serve according to the needs of the school
  • Ability to work collaboratively with Salesians, teachers, staff, and students
  • Patience and cultural sensitivity
  • Initiative and creativity
  • Ability to adapt to a different culture and standard of living
  • Willingness to embrace the Salesian educational approach

Strong English-language skills are particularly valuable because English is incorporated into the school’s technical and hospitality programs.

Useful Academic Preparation

No particular degree is identified by the school as a requirement for volunteers. Academic or professional backgrounds that could be especially useful include:

  • Education
  • English or TESOL
  • Engineering or technical trades
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Culinary Arts
  • Business or Administration
  • Information Technology
  • Communications

Useful Experience

  • Teaching or tutoring English
  • Working with teenagers or young adults
  • Technical or vocational education
  • Hospitality, restaurant, or hotel work
  • Mechanical, automotive, welding, or electrical experience
  • Computer instruction
  • Youth ministry
  • Sports or recreational leadership
  • Communications, photography, or social media
  • Previous international or cross-cultural experience

Area Information

The school is located in Sihanoukville, a coastal city in southwestern Cambodia. Sihanoukville is an important center for tourism, hospitality, industry, and commerce, making it particularly suitable for vocational education. The growth of hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other businesses provides employment possibilities for graduates, particularly those trained in hospitality and tourism.

Involvement with the religous community

Volunteers dine and pray with the Salesian religious community.

Area Information

The school is located in Sihanoukville, a coastal city in southwestern Cambodia. Sihanoukville is an important center for tourism, hospitality, industry, and commerce, making it particularly suitable for vocational education. The growth of hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other businesses provides employment possibilities for graduates, particularly those trained in hospitality and tourism.

Special Challenges & Conditions

Volunteers should be prepared for significant cultural and linguistic differences and approach Cambodian life with patience, humility, and flexibility. Khmer is the primary local language, although English is taught at the school and is particularly important in hospitality training. Many students come from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, making sensitivity and genuine accompaniment especially important. Volunteers should also be prepared to adjust to Sihanoukville’s tropical climate, including significant heat and humidity, and to a lifestyle that may be simpler and quite different from life in the United States.

Housing & Community

Live with Religious

Yes

Room

Private

Daily Eucharist

Yes

Bathroom

Private

Launder

Machine washer and dryer 

Access to ATM

Yes

Local Diet

Local cuisine

Local Medical Facilities

Sihanoukville is a major Cambodian city with medical services available locally. Specific arrangements for volunteer healthcare or preferred medical facilities are not provided on the school’s website and should be confirmed before placement.