Three Weeks at GreenShoots: Chickens, Sunsets & Small-Town Cambodia
Razon Mazumder just finished three weeks of volunteering at Green Shoots AgriTech Centre in Samraong Cambodia…a trip he had been planning to do for many years. Read more to hear about what he got up to in February 2025.
Spending three weeks volunteering at the GreenShoots Foundation’s AgriTech Centre in Cambodia was something I’d been meaning to do for years. It wasn’t just about showing up and lending a hand. It was about keeping a promise to myself. I’d been involved with charities back in the UK, mainly through fundraising, but I always felt like that was too easy. Writing a cheque is great, but giving up time, being hands-on, and actually seeing the work in action felt like it would be far more meaningful.
Why GreenShoots? Why Now?
I first came across GreenShoots through Jean-Marc, the founder, probably over 10 years ago. I’d seen their work from afar, attended some of their events in London, and at one of them, I even saw the plans for the AgriTech Centre before it was built. That stuck with me. Over the years, I followed the impact GreenShoots was making, and at some point, I told myself and Jean-Marc that one day, I’d make it out there and get my hands dirty.
When I finally started planning my trip, I reached out to Muneezay, who heads operations. I’d met her at a GreenShoots event before and when I told her I was serious about volunteering, she became my main point of contact. The timing was uncertain because I’d started travelling four months before, so we had to work out when I could actually get to Cambodia. We had calls, emails, and slowly locked in the dates. By the time I arrived, it felt surreal seeing this place in person after hearing about it for so long.
Life in Samraong & A Familiar Feeling
Samraong is small. No tourists, no distractions, just locals going about their day, dust kicked up by motorbikes, and a few restaurants here and there. My days started early, cycling out to the AgriTech Centre. At first, the bike I had was way too small, so the first ride was a complete mess. Knees smashing into the handlebars, posture looking like I was auditioning for a circus act. Eventually, I got a proper one, and cycling quickly became one of my favourite parts of the experience. Peaceful, quiet roads, just me, my bike, and the occasional dog giving me a suspicious side-eye.
There was something about the village where the AgriTech Centre was that felt oddly familiar. It reminded me of Comilla, Bangladesh, where my dad is from. I haven’t been there in over 20 years, but walking around this rural Cambodian village, seeing the open fields, the simple way of life, and the warmth of the people, it felt like a place I already knew. It made me realise that now that I’m based in Asia, I have no excuse not to go back. That trip is happening soon.
The Work Itself: Teaching, Farming & Food Distribution
Most of my time was split between teaching English, doing some business entrepreneurship lessons, and helping out on the farm in the mornings. The students were so eager to learn, which was heartwarming but also bittersweet. Seeing them truly value education filled my heart, but leaving them behind, knowing I had to move on, wasn’t easy.
One morning, I went to Enfants du Mékong to help distribute food packages. This charity supports children from poor villages who travel long distances for school. Twice a month, they provide essential supplies—25kg sacks of rice, oil, toothpaste, and washing items—to boarding students and kids from surrounding communities. It was humbling to watch how efficient and strong the children were, effortlessly carrying heavy sacks of rice, barely breaking a sweat. Some of the younger ones struggled, but older kids would step in to help without even thinking about it.
That morning was one of the most eye-opening moments of my time in Cambodia. I was there to lend a hand, but seeing these kids take care of each other, carrying food for their siblings, making sure no one was left behind, made me realise how resilient they were. It was a quiet but powerful moment that stuck with me.
The People (and Animals) Who Made an Impact
One person I worked closely with was Bunthorng, a smiley, optimistic chap who put his heart into teaching. He was passionate about giving the kids the best possible education, and you could see how much they appreciated him. He also had two adorable daughters who I already miss.
Then there was Mr. Loun, the main labourer at the AgriTech Centre and the first person I saw every morning. He didn’t speak much English, but he was always there to wave and get straight to work. A quiet, kind man, but what stood out the most was his strength and endurance. He taught me everything I needed to do—watering, harvesting, feeding the animals, making earth bricks, and even helping build a wall.
Then there was Mr. Noeum, a key figure at GreenShoots, who drove me to the Thailand border for my visa run. Not wanting an awkward, silent ride, I asked him about his life, and I’m so glad I did. He told me about being a refugee, about rebuilding his life, and how he’s now heavily involved in his local commune and GreenShoots’ projects. It was one of the most eye-opening conversations I had during my time there. If you ever volunteer in Samraong, ask him about his story.
One of the most inspiring people I met was Votey (founder of Green Lady Cambodia), a young Cambodian woman researching sustainable sanitary towels. Seeing a local woman actively working on solutions for menstrual health was incredible. These are the kinds of projects that don’t always get attention, but they make a massive difference.
During my time teaching, I met Nhet, a part-time teacher who also worked a government job. She came to the English Access Program to help with the lessons and was both playful and encouraging with the students. One thing that stood out about her was her obsession with posture. She’d walk alongside the kids as they were seated and correct them if they were slouching. Every single time she did it, I’d immediately sit up straight myself. She never corrected me directly, but honestly, she should have.
And then there were the animals.
Chickens were notorious troublemakers, constantly sneaking into the buildings through gaps in the bricks to steal feed. We’d chase them out, only for them to find another way back in. Cows wandered freely through the AgriTech Centre, sometimes just standing in the middle of a path, unbothered by the humans around them. Puppies even wandered into the classroom before a lesson, completely stealing the kids’ attention.
Meeting Amelie
During my stay, I overlapped with Amelie, a volunteer from London who had just finished her two weeks at the centre. She was fresh out of school, nearly half my age, and you could tell the experience had been meaningful for her. I was happy for her.
Meeting her made me think that I should have taken the opportunity to do something like this when I was younger. At the same time, I reminded myself that everyone’s timeline is different, and I was just grateful that I could go when I did.
