ChildFund Cambodia builds the first library building in Svay Chrum district ever!

“It is the first separate library building amongst 38 libraries established in 60 primary schools in Svay Chrum district,” said Ms. Pen Chantha, chief of Svay Chrum district office of Education, Youth and Sport, in her speech during the inauguration ceremony of a library funded by Taiwan Fund for Children and Families through ChildFund Cambodia. The event which was attended by approximately 296 education officers, commune chief, village leaders, teachers, community members, students and ChildFund’s staff, was presided over by Mr. Soth Kimchan, governor of Svay Chrum district. “Illiteracy and shortage of education is the root cause of poverty, and this library is a vital resource for education improvements as well as one tool to reduce poverty,” Mr. Kimchan mentioned during his opening speech.

Ms. Carol Mortensen, country director of ChildFund Cambodia was impressed with the rush of children who competed to run into the library when it was officially opened and immediately started to sit and read the books out loud. “With the generous support of Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, this library will serve many children and youth for their study research and help to improve reading activities and literacy of the community as well.”

12-year-old girl, Miss Yous Chanthu, 6th class student of the Svay Prahout primary school expressed her excitement to have the library at her school. “Advantages of the library include: providing equal opportunity to students in studying and doing researches, help children to have self responsibility in doing researches, help student to use their free time for self development and increase reading habit and to have initiative idea for daily life.” she stated.

Mr. Som Sam, director of Svay Prahout primary school also expressed his acknowledgement to funders for having such library in place. He said that “this library will provide equal opportunity for all students in reading. It would also help students to use their spare time properly and improve their reading skill as well.”

The high quality of the library building was constructed in response to the real need of community members and because class rooms are limited, according to Mr. Ouk Pov, Senior Program Officer of ChildFund Cambodia. The 7×9 meter-size library was funded by Taiwan Fund for Children and Families and ChildFund Cambodia. The library is equipped with materials, reading and research books, games and the librarian who was trained with support from ChildFund Cambodia has arranged the library in an attractive and inviting manner. Distinguished guests also took part in a tree planting ceremony in the school compound.

ChildFund Cambodia is constructing three more libraries in Svay Rieng province. ChildFund Cambodia has established 36 libraries in class-rooms in 36 primary schools in Svay Rieng province.