World Vision International (Cambodia) has launched a "10,000 Books" campaign for children by calling for public participation to jointly promote reading culture and raise funds to help children in remote areas understand that reading is essential for them.

The 10,000 books campaign kicked off with the slogan "Read more to know more, read to improve children’s literacy”. The campaign will hold an event called “Read Louder” on March 26 at Coconut Park on Koh Pich in Phnom Penh to mobilise public participation.

"Read Louder is coming back for 2023, so let's join together to promote Cambodian children’s literacy by donating books [at least one book worth $3] or donating via ABA [Bank],” it announced.

According to the international NGO, the campaign will start receiving books or donations from now until the end of March 2023, so that the fundraising team and the books received can be given to children in more than 700 reading camps to be held across the country, most of which are located in remote areas.

Its education programme technical director Va Surin told The Post on March 16 that investing in reading, especially for children, is of vital importance.

Surin said this is the second year that the organisation has done the campaign to promote children's reading.

"Books are one of the most important warehouses for transferring knowledge to students who can research and explore subjects ranging from culture to science. Student ability still relies heavily on reading and viewing books in their spare time. Research has shown that reading books regularly improves memory, reduces stress and improves concentration,” he said.