Sipar, a leading NGO in the field of reading and literacy, will celebrate its 40th anniversary of promoting reading and developing literacy on December 3, with a book fair and other fun activities.
Sok Molika, communication and digital marketing assistant at Sipar, said a programme to mark the occasion would run for the whole of December 3 at its head office on Preah Norodom Blvd, in Phnom Penh.
“Sipar will be open for the public to visit and learn out about our projects. We will also have a book fair, with a special discount of 30 per cent from all stalls, to mark the occasion. Our brand ambassador DJ Nana will also participate in fun reading activities with children. She is one of the Kingdom’s most popular with over 1.5 million Facebook followers, and regularly shares information about the importance of reading,” she added.
“We will also announce the winners of our latest writing and drawing competitions. Three outstanding artists have been selected to illustrate the children’s &Oun Ka’s School&. There are also so excellent Khmer stories about topics as varied as post-Angkorian daily life, future dreams and ghosts,” she continued.
The top three in each category will receive cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100, respectively.
Sipar is a leading organisation in the field of reading and literacy, and has been active throughout the Kingdom through four main programmes: school libraries, reading for all, youth development and publishing.
It began its humanitarian journey in Versailles, France in 1982, and opened its first classes at the Phanat Nikhom refugee camp in Thailand to help integrate refugees from Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos to France.
In 1991, Sipar took its first steps in Cambodia.
Working in close partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Sipar’s programmes have expanded across the country to reach more than 300,000 direct beneficiaries each year. It focuses on vulnerable and rural communities, including indigenous people, slums, floating villages and brick kilns, as well as garment factories and correctional centres.
As a major player in the publishing industry, Sipar has published more than 250 titles and 3.5 million copies since 2002.
“It is true that the literacy and publishing sector in Cambodia has grown tremendously in recent years, with an increase in the number of young writers and artists in recent years. This reflects an increase in the public’s interest in reading. In fact, the 8th National Book Fair had 180,000 visitors in just three days,” said Hok Sothik, Sipar director.
“Despite these positive developments, we intend to continue to develop programmes that will contribute to the government’s efforts to promote education in Cambodia,” he added.
