Help opening a LIBRARY in Cambodia!
Donation protected
OUR STORY
So Kush, 35, born in Cambodia, grew up in San Fransisco, USA. He returned to his city of birth, Battambang almost 4 years ago.
Louise, 37, Swedish. Traveling around Asia when deciding to stay and live in Battambang.
After a random meeting in Battambang, we got talking about books and libraries, about our reading experiences and how nice it is to visit libraries. This was something we both grew up with. It is a place for reading, for research- but also a place you go to sometime just to relax and get time for yourself. I was ready for a library visit!
'Where is the library located in Battambang?'
'There is none'
'What?'
'No library here'
Right then and there the plans to open a library in Battambang where in the making. This was something So Kush had been wanting to do for almost 3 years. Our excitement was high when we discussed it the following days and we were both convinced that we had to make it happen!
It was surreal to realize that there wasn't a public library here that was open on regular times where you could actually check out books and not just read them at the location. This is after all a city with 200.000 inhabitants, several schools and universities. We want to get the young generation in Battambang introduced to something as important as free access to books. Not only the chance to read, but the benefit of education that goes hand in hand with it.
OUR WISH is to help increase the level of knowledge of the local community and citizens of Battambang. Increased knowledge will lead to a better future with chances of a better life - as well as books that widen your imagination - everything between arts & culture to literature and fantasy books.
An unique library with free access to books. Giving an equal opportunity for everyone to read, learn and get a better chance to education.
HOW will this become a unique, tailor-made library? Looking at the city's particular need and how to best improve it. We found that the best way to do that would be a library set up in a different way compared to the already existing libraries at the universities. Of which are open only to university students and not the general public. The library will be structured into different sections. We will be in contact with the different schools and universities to assure our library will be holding books to compliment the material used for teaching and learning.
To give you an idea of how we want the sections to be set up:
Further education.
PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOL: Easier books relevant to their level of knowledge
COLLEGE STUDENTS: More advanced books which would complement their level of studies and diversify their knowledge.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: Books relevant to research and getting them further inspired. Books encouraging them to start thinking differently, thinking in possibilities.
PROFESSIONALS: Books related to different professions and craftsmanship's. We want help them produce new ideas on how to expand or develop their business.
Other sections will contain Science fiction, Romance
Mystery, Health,Travel, Children's, Religion, Science,
History, Comics, Art, Biographies, Autobiographies
Fantasy etc. everything you expect to find in a library.
WE AIM at having the majority, 80% of the books in Khmer. A separate section will of course also be present for international books in English, French and other Asian languages.
To obtain a wide selection of quality books in Khmer we are dependent on the donations. The more we get, the more books we can buy and diversify the selection.
Nobody should be discouraged to read because the material is too difficult or too easy.
THE FUTURE GOAL is to make the library partially self sustainable. That in time we can employ and hand it over to local staff. As lending books at the library is for free, it wont generate any income. To generate money and keep it running, we need a few things that can produce a small turnover.
* A small fee to obtain the library card
* Fees for late returns & lost books
* A Cafeteria serving drinks and small snacks (a place to meet and read)
* Yearly fund raising events and a bank account always open for donations.
* International volunteers paying to help out at the Library in exchange for food and accommodation
* Rent out some of the space to local artist, where they can show their work.
* Get international and national universities, libraries and organizations to donate books.
* Permanent book donation boxes around town.
* P.O Box for book donations outside of Battambang.
Att; Battambang Public Library
p.o box 388
Battambang, Battambang
Cambodia
WHAT IS THE MONEY NEEDED FOR?
The rent of the building - 450 Usd per month (Incl. utilities)
Fixing the building - think of paint, materials and tools to make shelves. Lamps, fan`s, a fridge, oven, cutlery, plates etc. for the cafe. Tables and chairs for reading.
We have paid the first two months of rent and painted the first room! Made the first shelves for one of the walls, but our own means and previous donations are not enough anymore and without further funding we won't be able to continue.
This project means alot, not only to the two of us, but mostly to all of those people who will get a chance to visit this library in the future!!
After a meeting with the Governor of Battambang province, we are also proud to say that we have obtained the full support from his office to go ahead and open the library.
A huge thank you for helping the people living in Battambang :)
So Kush & Louise
So Kush, 35, born in Cambodia, grew up in San Fransisco, USA. He returned to his city of birth, Battambang almost 4 years ago.
Louise, 37, Swedish. Traveling around Asia when deciding to stay and live in Battambang.
After a random meeting in Battambang, we got talking about books and libraries, about our reading experiences and how nice it is to visit libraries. This was something we both grew up with. It is a place for reading, for research- but also a place you go to sometime just to relax and get time for yourself. I was ready for a library visit!
'Where is the library located in Battambang?'
'There is none'
'What?'
'No library here'
Right then and there the plans to open a library in Battambang where in the making. This was something So Kush had been wanting to do for almost 3 years. Our excitement was high when we discussed it the following days and we were both convinced that we had to make it happen!
It was surreal to realize that there wasn't a public library here that was open on regular times where you could actually check out books and not just read them at the location. This is after all a city with 200.000 inhabitants, several schools and universities. We want to get the young generation in Battambang introduced to something as important as free access to books. Not only the chance to read, but the benefit of education that goes hand in hand with it.
OUR WISH is to help increase the level of knowledge of the local community and citizens of Battambang. Increased knowledge will lead to a better future with chances of a better life - as well as books that widen your imagination - everything between arts & culture to literature and fantasy books.
An unique library with free access to books. Giving an equal opportunity for everyone to read, learn and get a better chance to education.
HOW will this become a unique, tailor-made library? Looking at the city's particular need and how to best improve it. We found that the best way to do that would be a library set up in a different way compared to the already existing libraries at the universities. Of which are open only to university students and not the general public. The library will be structured into different sections. We will be in contact with the different schools and universities to assure our library will be holding books to compliment the material used for teaching and learning.
To give you an idea of how we want the sections to be set up:
Further education.
PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOL: Easier books relevant to their level of knowledge
COLLEGE STUDENTS: More advanced books which would complement their level of studies and diversify their knowledge.
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: Books relevant to research and getting them further inspired. Books encouraging them to start thinking differently, thinking in possibilities.
PROFESSIONALS: Books related to different professions and craftsmanship's. We want help them produce new ideas on how to expand or develop their business.
Other sections will contain Science fiction, Romance
Mystery, Health,Travel, Children's, Religion, Science,
History, Comics, Art, Biographies, Autobiographies
Fantasy etc. everything you expect to find in a library.
WE AIM at having the majority, 80% of the books in Khmer. A separate section will of course also be present for international books in English, French and other Asian languages.
To obtain a wide selection of quality books in Khmer we are dependent on the donations. The more we get, the more books we can buy and diversify the selection.
Nobody should be discouraged to read because the material is too difficult or too easy.
THE FUTURE GOAL is to make the library partially self sustainable. That in time we can employ and hand it over to local staff. As lending books at the library is for free, it wont generate any income. To generate money and keep it running, we need a few things that can produce a small turnover.
* A small fee to obtain the library card
* Fees for late returns & lost books
* A Cafeteria serving drinks and small snacks (a place to meet and read)
* Yearly fund raising events and a bank account always open for donations.
* International volunteers paying to help out at the Library in exchange for food and accommodation
* Rent out some of the space to local artist, where they can show their work.
* Get international and national universities, libraries and organizations to donate books.
* Permanent book donation boxes around town.
* P.O Box for book donations outside of Battambang.
Att; Battambang Public Library
p.o box 388
Battambang, Battambang
Cambodia
WHAT IS THE MONEY NEEDED FOR?
The rent of the building - 450 Usd per month (Incl. utilities)
Fixing the building - think of paint, materials and tools to make shelves. Lamps, fan`s, a fridge, oven, cutlery, plates etc. for the cafe. Tables and chairs for reading.
We have paid the first two months of rent and painted the first room! Made the first shelves for one of the walls, but our own means and previous donations are not enough anymore and without further funding we won't be able to continue.
This project means alot, not only to the two of us, but mostly to all of those people who will get a chance to visit this library in the future!!
After a meeting with the Governor of Battambang province, we are also proud to say that we have obtained the full support from his office to go ahead and open the library.
A huge thank you for helping the people living in Battambang :)
So Kush & Louise
Organizer
Lois Lesley-Ann Muranius
Organizer
Amsterdam Oud West, NL, 7