During Your Time

• Your safety and wellbeing are our number one concern during the time you are here at Trailblazer. That said our activities involve physical labor that is done outdoors in a hot outdoor environment, and some tasks are more physically demanding than others.  Depending upon a volunteer's physical abilities our staff schedule volunteers to tasks that match those abilities and with least risk to injury. 
• Dehydration and heat injuries can happen fast in the tropical Cambodian heat, so be sure to bring plenty of water with you. You can refill your water bottle from one of our water filters on site. Other means of sun protection, i.e. a hat and sunscreen, are also recommended. You are encouraged to take breaks as often as you feel necessary. Please let us know before you start work if you have any health concerns that may limit the type or scope of work that you can do. 

• Volunteers need to act in a responsible and respectful manner while interacting with the local people, local staff, and other volunteers. 
• When working with any of our team in the countryside, you must dress appropriately. The basic rule is to cover your knees and shoulders (see “Dress Code” below). 
• If you are invited to join one of our teams on a work field trip into the countryside, please come prepared to deal with sun, dust, and thirst. If it is during the rainy season (June/July – September/October), you can also expect rain. If you believe you will need more than a lunch, please bring some snacks. 
• When working in the countryside, the Trailblazer crew typically eats a lunch prepared by the family at whose home the crew is working. As a volunteer, you are encouraged to join the crew in eating that lunch. The food is always fresh and well cooked, so there is no need to worry about getting sick. However, if you have dietary restrictions or serious concerns, you can decline. If you want to decline, please do so in a respectful manner. Cambodians will understand if you say that you are not eating the food because it would be against your religion, or it is a matter of your health. 
• If you experience any improper treatment by staff or other volunteers, please report it to Trailblazer’s management staff. 6. Handing out political or religious materials is forbidden, and against our agreements with the Cambodian government.  

• Cambodians are very friendly, and a smile goes a long way. 
• Be respectful to elders. 
• Shouting or public displays of over-emotion are considered impolite.  
• Remove your shoes before entering someone's home, or a temple. 
• Dress respectfully, especially when visiting temples. Again, cover your knees and shoulders. 
• Do not point your naked foot at someone, and do not touch a person’s head (including kids). 

• Always ask permission before taking someone’s photograph. You can ask permission by saying, “Som tort rupe?” 
• Children will be very interested to see their image on your digital camera, and may rush to see it after the photo is taken. 

The following are essential guidelines for participating in any of Trailblazer’s projects:

Volunteers need to act in a responsible and respectful manner whilst interacting with the local people, staff and other volunteers.

1. Volunteers are expected to arrive on time for the work day at 8:00am, and be prepared with any personal items you may need: snacks, sunscreen, hat, etc.
2. When working with any of our team in the countryside, you must dress appropriately, * see Dress Code.
3. On your first day, be sure to bring a copy of your travel medical insurance policy, so we have it on file while you are volunteering with us.
4. If you are invited to join one of our teams into the countryside, please come prepared to deal with sun, dust, rain, and thirst. If you believe you will need any snack, please bring something along.
5. When you are working in the countryside, you will at times be asked to join in lunch which has been prepared by the local villager. The food is always fresh and well-cooked so there is no need to worry. However, if you have dietary restrictions or serious concerns, you can decline. If you must decline, please do so in a respectful manner. If you do not eat what they provide it may be seen Cambodians would understand if you state that it would be against your religion or is a matter of health that you are not eating what they provided.
6. If you experience any improper treatment by staff or other volunteers, please report it to our management staff.
7. Handing out political or religious materials or participating in any rally is forbidden and against our agreement with the government.