For more than 10 years, the Amanjaya Foundation has supported Sipar's “Mobile Libraries” program, which aims to bring books and encourage reading habits, while spreading key messages, to isolated communities in Cambodia.

Born in 2000, the mobiles libraries program now has 11 vehicles (7 vans, 2 boats, and 2 tuk-tuks). They travel to more than a hundred different locations on the roads and waterways of seven provinces in Cambodia and the suburbs of Phnom Penh to bring books to disadvantaged people. The lack of infrastructure, such as public libraries, deprives communities in suburban areas and rural areas of access to books.

For more than four years, the Amanjaya Foundation supported the boat library project on Tonlé Sap, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Today, the sites formerly served by the boat are completely self-sufficient, and all activities have been taken over by the local community. Sipar has set up micro-libraries there, each with hundreds of books, which are managed directly by local volunteers. While they are initially beneficiaries, children and adults gradually become actors and then leaders of the project. Empowering communities is at the heart of Sipar's DNA.

 The boat library now serves new floating villages in another commune on the Tonlé Sap.

"The Amanjaya Foundation is delighted to have been supporting Sipar for many years in the deployment of mobile libraries in Cambodia. Access to reading is always a fundamental step in accessing education, even more so in a rapidly changing world where traditional learning methods are quickly proving insufficient. Amanjaya appreciates the expertise and pragmatism that enable Sipar, in the midst of these changes, to find relevant and effective responses to a wide variety of situations." tells Alain Goyé, founder of Amanjaya Foundation.  

In addition to storytelling activities, free reading, and borrowing books to take home, the librarian-educators of the Sipar team offer academic support and awareness sessions on a variety of topics.

Among the most discussed topics:

• The environment: the importance of protecting it and how to do so, learning about Cambodia's biodiversity and its importance, raising awareness about plastic use, waste collection, recycling, etc.
• Science: science, technology, arts, mathematics, engineering... So many topics to help children discover the often impressive world of science, thanks to specially adapted educational materials.
• Health and nutrition: contribute to improving the health, hygiene and nutrition of children and adults for optimal development
• Road safety: raising awareness of road safety and wearing a helmet.

Between the Little Prince and Sipar has a story that celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. A drop of water compared to the age of the Little Prince who will celebrate his 80th birthday next year (New York, 1943). A look back at a collaboration that continues to evolve every year.