Micro-finance Internship in Cambodia

This project is a great way for you to use your time and skills to help people in need achieve financial independence. It’s also a memorable and different way to gain practical work experience, and hone your skills in an international setting.

You’ll work mainly with entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities in Phnom Penh. You’ll mentor them in their independent business ventures. You’ll gain insight into the specifics of micro-finance, on an internship that will greatly enhance your CV or future job applications.

To join this project, you need to have at least one years’ experience or relevant training in business or management. You also need intermediate English skills, and should be comfortable speaking the language.

After a hearty breakfast in your shared apartment, you’ll travel to work by tuk-tuk. On your first day, a Projects Abroad staff member will accompany you to show you the way.

A typical day on this internship runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. You’ll have your evenings and weekends free to socialise, relax, or travel.

On a daily basis you will be involved in a wide variety of tasks. These may include meeting with beneficiaries, planning and conducting training sessions, and managing loan accounts. You’ll gain great insight into how small businesses operate in Cambodia, and the challenges that they face. We typically work with food and drink stalls, as well as tailors and salon owners.

A fun aspect of this project is that you get to travel around the city to visit the beneficiaries at their home or work, so you’re not stuck in an office all day.

Once you’re done for the day, it’s time to soak in sights and sounds of Phnom Penh. You can join us on one of our regular socials, where you’ll get to know your fellow interns and volunteers and local Projects Abroad staff. Or explore the city, visiting tourist attractions such as the National Museum, the Royal Palace, or one of the many temples and local markets.

There are two main aims to this project: to help members of disadvantaged communities earn a sustainable income and to provide you with an educational, practical internship in the field of Micro-finance.

Many of the interns who join us are looking for work experience in a different cultural setting. We provide you with the opportunity to learn from local professionals, while sharing your skills and training with others.

There is also an altruistic dimension to this internship. Because of low incomes, many people are unable to set aside savings that can be used to grow their business. By providing them with zero-interest loans, these entrepreneurs can expand or diversify their product offerings or services.

The majority of our beneficiaries are food and drinks sellers, tailors, or salon owners. They all have small businesses or jobs with low incomes that are insufficient to support their families. With these loans, they can buy more stock and equipment to run all-day businesses. They can then grow their income and even start to set aside savings.

Join us in Cambodia today, and help equip local entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their businesses.

There is a wide range of different activities you can get involved in on this internship, which gives you a well-rounded experience. These tasks include:

• Interview and screen potential loan beneficiaries
• Monitor and support current entrepreneurs with their business
• Provide training for the current Micro-finance beneficiaries