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| Books for Cambodia is a New Zealand based charitable trust that supports education and libraries in rural school communities in Cambodia. Books for Cambodia sources books, facilitates access to librarian training, and renovates or establishes libraries, in rural schools, with the support of the school community. The trustees and Pacific Discovery cover all administrative costs associated with Books for Cambodia so that 100% of funds donated to Books for Cambodia is spent on purchasing books, training teachers as librarians and establishing or renovating libraries in Cambodia. | |
Who are we?We are a group of New Zealanders who, having visited Cambodia, wanted to contribute to the development of that country. The Trust was initiated by Jennie Wilson, a former Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) volunteer in Cambodia and now one of the principals of Pacific Discovery, a small group tour company specialising in tours in Southeast Asia. The other trustees visited schools in Takeo province on VSA/Pacific Discovery Addventure trips. BOOKS FOR CAMBODIA TRUST is a registered charitable trust. Our New Zealand Charities Commission number is CC11467. |
News...Join us in Cambodia for a very special experience of this unique country on our
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| Our Cambodian Partners
Siphen’s contacts with New Zealanders goes right back to 1997-98 when she worked as a translator for Jennie Wilson, a VSA volunteer at that time. Currently Siphen is a teacher-in-charge of English Language teaching at Moy U Sophea High School, one of the schools supported by Books for Cambodia. There she has been closely involved in the establishment of the school library and its ongoing development. Her commitment and passion for education for her students is unremitting and in every aspect of her life she steps forward and takes on the challenge, including the development of an environmental awareness programme for her school. Mach, Siphen’s husband, is Assistant Director of Kla Krohim High School which is also a recipient of Books for Cambodia. Following the completion of a librarian course earlier this year, Mach has recently organised a similar course for some of the school librarians in other parts of Takeo Province. He is highly regarded by the Takeo Provincial Education office for his promotion of libraries to further the educational opportunities for Cambodian students. Mach is also an active advocate for the improvement of his school environment and continues to raise awareness with both teachers and students. Mach and Siphen together with their extended family provide a family homestay to participants of Pacific Discovery trips in Cambodia. The time in their home is for many the highlight of their trip. Siphen and Mach have two children, Srei Noich, 16 years, currently studying in USA, and Savada who is 10.
Helen Walch, Otaki (Chair) | |
| BOOKS FOR CAMBODIA is a New Zealand registered Charitable Trust, reg no. CC11467. | |
The Trust couldn’t operate without Meas Siphen and Im Mach, our partners/colleagues in Cambodia. We depend on them for guidance and assistance. Without them book buying would be a nightmare and the training of librarians would not have developed to the extent it has.
The Trustees