The One Book, One Community (OBOC) Campaign has announced the launch of a 25-day, 25-province mission under the theme: “25 Days, 25 Provinces, and Cities to Promote Reading in the Community,” running from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10, 2024.
The 25-day mission will be divided into five different routes to distribute 25,000 books to communities and include regional reading competitions, including regional reading championships to compete for championships in Phnom Penh, pointed out a press release of the One Book, One Community Campaign made public on Aug. 9.
The mission expects about 2,500 participants, including young writers, entrepreneurs, and partners, who will travel 3,000 kilometers around the country, it added.
According to the same source, the first route will cover the northwest, including Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Pailin, Battambang, and Banteay Meanchey provinces. The second route will head north to Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, and Oddar Meanchey. The third route will move southeast, covering Ka
ndal, Kampong Cham, Thbong Khmum, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng. The fourth route will go southwest to Kampong Speu, Kampot, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, Kep, and Takeo, while the fifth route will proceed northeast to Kratie, Stung Treng, Rattanakiri, and Mondulkiri provinces.
Ms. Heang Vattey, Co-Founder of the One Book, One Community Campaign, hopes that this mission will help promote a culture of community reading and strengthen human resources in Cambodian society. “I hope and believe that, after the end of these activities of promoting reading and strengthen our valued culture, communities will be motivated to organise their own reading events. I especially want young people to develop a love for Khmer literature and culture,” she said.
The One Book, One Community Campaign promotes reading and independent learning through five programmes including 1. Reading competitions and championships in Phnom Penh 2. Book distribution programmes 3. Mobile library apps 4. Library development programmes and 5. Knowledge Sha
ring Workshops.
Mr. Chea Tong Hour, a young entrepreneur and book author, said, ‘I joined the One Book, One Community Campaign to support community reading and encourage young people. I want to inspire writers to create valuable books for the Cambodian people. Additionally, not only that, I also want to promote and encourage people to turn to books as it is crucial for personal and societal growth. Educated individuals gain knowledge through reading and enhance their understanding which helps them, their families, and their nation.’
Mr. Hok Sothik, President of the Library Association of Cambodia and Director of Sipar, said One Book, One Community is a great example of how our youth are working to bring books to rural areas. ‘The challenge in Cambodia is that books don’t reach all people. Efforts to get books to communities or rural areas are valuable contributions to the development of reading and knowledge in Cambodia,’ he underlined.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse
