RISKS

Woodleigh has completed a careful risk assessment, based on international practices and our school’s experience of overseas. When you are in Cambodia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. Penalties for drug offences, including those involving "soft drugs", are severe and include lengthy jail sentences.

Cambodian authorities are committed to protecting their cultural heritage. A permit is required to purchase or possess cultural and archaeological artefacts. The penalty under Cambodian law for an unintentional act concerning cultural heritage property is a minimum of six months’ imprisonment. An intentional act attracts a minimum of two to eight years' imprisonment and a fine equal to double the value of the cultural object.

Risks identified included (but were not limited to):

•          Transport delays, vehicle breakdowns, accidents & unacceptable quality. Note: students will be transported in two vans during the trip. The vehicles and drivers have been arranged by Chumkriel Language School – every effort has been made  to ensure they are suitable for our purpose and safe. Vehicles with seatbelts have been requested, however, in unexpected circumstances, replacement vehicles may not have seatbelts fitted. Tuk Tuks will only be used for short trips and students will be accompanied by a staff member. Students are not permitted to use Tuk Tuks independently.

•          Contaminated food and water. Note: the group will be eating breakfast, lunch and dinner at good local restaurants in Kampot. Tap water is NOT drinkable in Cambodia so you will be provided with bottled water for drinking during your stay. You will need to take a drink bottle with you to refill during your stay.

•          Movement along streets & markets. Note: in some instances, students may be unsupervised (such as getting lunch at a café close to our hotel in Kampot, shopping at the Kampot market, Kampot Night Market, Kep Market, Phnom Penh Russian Market, etc). At such times, students will need to stay in groups of three or more, the groups will have access to a school phone, staff contact phone numbers, emergency money and an ID card. Meeting times, places and boundaries will be set and must be adhered to.

•          Swimming. Note - swimming will only be in the hotel pool at Kep and Phnom Penh and there will be minimum two first aid qualified staff member on duty at all times.

•          Emotional stress. Note: students will be visiting the Killing Fields and the Genocide museum in Phnom Penh. There may also be an opportunity to watch the movie ‘The Killing Fields’ (or other similar type movies). On each of these occasions, students will be briefed about the experience and given the opportunity to not participate and will be appropriately supervised.

•          Injury to a participant, staff member or next of kin,

•          Major illness and/or disease outbreak within group,

•          Allergic reactions, Malaria & Dengue Fever,

•          Change in social or political stability,

•          Extreme natural events & weather conditions,

•          Theft of money, valuables, or travel documentation,

•          Harassment from strangers,

•          Security & Safety: accommodation and Chumkriel Language School