Steps of Justice: Cambodia Trip Manual
Welcome to the team manual for our upcoming summer journey to Cambodia. Use this structured document as your complete guide for preparation, schedule, travel logistics, and ministry context.
1. Welcome & Vision
Greetings from the Steps of Justice Team
Thank you so much for choosing to come to Cambodia with us this summer. We are super excited about this journey that we will all be taking together. We just wanted to take a moment and explain a few things about the trip, specifically Why Steps of Justice and Why Cambodia.
Why Steps of Justice?
We started Steps out of the injustices that many of us saw while traveling to countries both locally (USA, Canada, Mexico) and internationally (Cambodia, Thailand, S. Africa). We were sick of the statistics of 1.25 billion living on less than $1 a day, 27 million slaves in the world, and millions of girls trafficked into the illegal sex industry against their will. We were frustrated, offended, and knew that it was our responsibility to see these statistics erased.
All this came out of scripture from passages like Micah 6:8, Isaiah 61:8, and Matthew 25. Our response: take a step and do what comes naturally to us—tell others about these issues and help them take steps to get involved in being a part of the change. Jesus doesn’t just call specific people to be involved in doing justice; He calls us all.
Why Cambodia?
We love Cambodia! Our Steps of Justice staff have been leading trips to Cambodia for the past 14 years. Cambodia is a beautiful country filled with great food, smiling people, beautiful sights, and a devastating history. There is a hunger in Cambodia for the gospel to be preached and physical needs to be met. There is a huge population living in extreme poverty, and Cambodia is widely known for its sex industry. It was natural for Steps of Justice to go to Cambodia and work alongside those serving the needs of the country.
We are privileged to be a part of what God is doing in Cambodia, specifically with ministries like YWAM, AIM, Daughters of Cambodia, Rock Foundation Cambodia.
2. Travel Logistics & Guidelines
Visas & Passports
- Requirement: Teams coming to Cambodia are required to apply for a tourist visa (lasts 30 days, renewable once for another 30 days).
- Application: You can apply for a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport or online before arriving.
- Passport Validity: Your passport MUST have at least 6 months of validity left from your arrival date.
- Items Needed: Bring one passport-sized photo for your visa application.
Airport Pick-Up
- If arriving by plane, we will arrange a tuk-tuk to pick you up from the airport and transport you to our lodging.
Translators
Though English is the most common foreign language in Cambodia, it is not spoken by most Cambodians, especially in rural villages. You will need a translator for most ministry activities. Where ministry locations do not provide them, Steps of Justice will provide a translator to serve and assist your team.
Money & Currency
| Topic | Details & Instructions |
|---|---|
| Local Currency | Cambodian Riel (KHR). Bills come in 100, 500, 1000, 5000, and 10,000 notes (no coins). Exchange rate is approx. 4,100 Riel to $1 USD. |
| Using US Dollars | USD is widely accepted. Change for USD transactions under $1 is given in Riel. It is not necessary to convert large amounts of cash to Riel. |
| Bill Condition & Bills to Bring | CRITICAL: USD bills MUST be clean, crisp, and free of tears, dirty marks, or stains (or they will be rejected). Use $20 bills or lower; $50 and $100 bills are hard to break at local shops. |
| ATMs & Cards | International ATMs (such as ANZ Royal Bank) and credit card cash advances are available in Phnom Penh and major cities. Traveler’s checks are rarely accepted. |
Phones & Communication
- Cell phone networks in Cambodia are very reliable. You can purchase a local SIM card for unlocked phones or use an international plan.
- Steps of Justice will also have a local team emergency phone number to share with families back home.
Transportation & Getting Around
- Primary Mode: Inside the city, travel is mainly by tuk-tuk (a 4-6 person carriage pulled by a motorcycle).
- Ground Fees: Ministry transportation is covered in your ground fees. Personal trips cost roughly $8–$10 round-trip per tuk-tuk within the city.
Immunization Recommendations
Consult your local doctor/travel clinic prior to departure. Frequently recommended vaccinations include:
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus
Note: Generally, malaria medication is not required for our outreach locations in Cambodia.
3. Country & Cultural Context
Quick Stats
| Stat Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population | 14 million in 2011- 18 million in 2026 |
| Life Expectancy | 57.4 years in 2011- 70 in 2026 |
| Infant Mortality | 96 per 1,000 births in 2011/ 16 per 1000 in 2027 |
| Adult Literacy Rate | 69.4% in 2011- 84% in 2026 |
| Annual Tourists | 1 million in 2011- 5+ million in 2026 |
| Buddhist Monks | 59,470 in 2011- 70,000 in 2026 |
| Psychiatrists in Country | 20 in 2011- 80 in 2026 |
| NGO’s in Cambodia | 3000 in 2011- 3570 in 2026 |
Cultural & Historical Background
Cambodia is known as the temple capital of Asia, famous for Angkor Wat and its rich history. The local name for the country is Kampuchea (derived from “Kambuja”). Over decades of turbulent political history, the official English name evolved across regimes:
- The Kingdom of Cambodia (Post-Independence 1953)
- The Khmer Republic (Lon Nol, 1970–1975)
- Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge regime, 1975–1979)
- The People’s Republic of Kampuchea (1979–1989)
- The State of Cambodia (1989–1993)
- The Kingdom of Cambodia (Restored May 1993)
Team Orientation
Steps of Justice provides a cultural, historical, and spiritual orientation for every team. Topics include national history, religious views, cultural norms/etiquette, evangelism in a Cambodian context, introductory language lessons, and key sights in Phnom Penh.
4. Packing List
Essential Documents
- Valid Passport (with at least 6 months validity left)
- Plane tickets / itineraries
- Travel insurance documentation
- Emergency contact info
Modest Clothing Guidelines
Cultural Modesty Note: Cambodian culture values modesty. When doing ministry, dress appropriately to respect local customs:
- Women: Tops covering shoulders, stomach, and chest (no low necklines). Skirts, dresses, capris, or pants covering to the knees. No torn/stained clothing.
- Men: Shirts covering shoulders, shorts/pants covering to the knees. No torn/stained clothing.
- Teaching / Formal Settings: Men should wear slacks and button-down shirts (short sleeve is fine). Women should wear formal modest tops and knee-length dresses, skirts, or slacks.
- Footwear: Comfortable sandals or flip-flops are standard; bring comfortable walking shoes.
Personal Items & Gear
- Toiletries, flip-flops for showering
- Prescription medications, vitamins
- expensive locally), Gatorade / oral rehydration packets.
- Water bottle
- light daypack
- money belt
- hat, light raincoat/poncho,
- Bible, journal, reading book,
5. Sample Itinerary
| Date | Scheduled Activities |
|---|---|
| Aug 9 | Meet in Phnom Penh. “Amazing Prayer Race” around the city. Evening supper and worship. |
| Aug 10 | Team training and cultural orientation of Cambodia. |
| Aug 11 | Morning: Meeting, prayer, and VBS planning.Afternoon: Children at Risk camp (75 kids).Special Meeting: Hagar International. |
| Aug 12 | Morning: Meeting, prayer, and VBS planning.Afternoon: Children at Risk camp.Special Meeting: International Justice Mission (IJM). |
| Aug 13–14 | Morning: Planning & prayer.Afternoon: Children at Risk camp. |
| Aug 15 | Day visit to Happy Tree Orphanage. |
| Aug 16 | World Vision orientation and all-day collaborative ministry. |
| Aug 17 | TBA / Ministry Outreach. |
| Aug 18 | Day off / Rest & Reflection. |
| Aug 19 | Depart for home or extended stay in Cambodia. |
6. Partner Organizations & Ethical Dining
Partner Ministries
- Rock Foundation Cambodia: Works in remote villages bringing water wells for communities and schools.
- Daughters of Cambodia: Provides outreach, safety, therapy, and new career opportunities for individuals exiting the sex trade.
- AIM (Agape International Mission): Preventative trafficking ministry offering healthcare, education, job opportunities, and training in Phnom Penh.