Hi friends,

My name is Sophie Heng, and I’m creating something close to my heart — an adult coloring book titled Color Our Culture: A Cambodian Folktale Coloring Book.

This book will feature hand-drawn illustrations inspired by Cambodia’s rich folklore and ancient culture, including legendary stories like that of the Naga Queen Neang Neak and the powerful spirit of the Naga woven throughout our heritage.

But this project is more than just a book — it’s an invitation to reconnect with our roots, share our untold stories, and celebrate Cambodian identity through art.

Why I’m Fundraising

In 2025, we mark 30 years since the end of one of the darkest chapters in our history, when up to 3 million people were murdered or left to starve under the brutal rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Many historical and cultural documents were destroyed, leaving survivors to piece together our history and legacy from fragments.

I’m launching this GoFundMe to raise funds for the production, printing, and distribution of this first — and hopefully many more — cultural coloring books. Your support will help bring these drawings to life and make them accessible to others, especially our youth. It’s important that they never forget.

For the Community: Give a Book, Share a Story

My goal is to raise enough funds to cover the wholesale printing and delivery of books to non-profit organizations.

Beyond learning about folklore and culture, coloring offers numerous benefits, including stress relief, improved mental health, enhanced creativity, and a meditative experience. I want Cambodian youth and community members to have access to this joyful, healing activity while discovering stories that belong to them.

Donation Tiers

$14.99 — Pre-order price + thank-you shout-out on social media

$25.00 — 1 book for you + 1 book donated

$50.00 — 1 book for you + 2 books donated

$100.00 — 1 book for you + 5 books donated

All tiers with donated books will also receive a shout-out on social media and a printed acknowledgement in the book.

Why This Matters

Too many of our stories are forgotten or overlooked. As a Cambodian-American woman, I didn’t grow up seeing our folktales in bookstores or our myths on coloring pages. I want to change that — with your help.

This book will offer moments of joy, healing, and identity. Together, we can preserve culture, one page at a time.

How You Can Help

Donate what you can

Share this campaign with friends, family, and your community

Pre-order the book — your support tells me this is needed

Tag @sophieheng @sophiehengwrites and use #ColorOurCulture on social media to help spread the word

Thank you for supporting Khmer stories, Khmer art, and Khmer youth. Let’s color our culture — for us and for the next generation.

With gratitude,

Sophie Heng

Artist, Storyteller, and Cultural Advocate