AKP Phnom Penh, April 12, 2021 --

Republic of Korea, through its Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), donated 60,000 Khmer fairytale books to the provincial education office in four provinces in Cambodia on the occasion of International Children's Book Day to assist the education sector during the difficult time hit by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Khmer fairytale books have been produced by KOICA volunteers, who returned to Korea due to COVID-19, and Cambodian women in Korea. The books talk about two types of fairytale of Phnom Pros Phnom Srey and Preah Thong Neang Neak. The donation was made on the occasion of International Children's Book Day, April 2.

“The purpose of this donation is to support reading activities and improve the quality of the educational environment, as well as to provide good educational content for children and to assist students and teachers who are struggling during COVID-19,” said the release obtained by AKP.

The donations also marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of KOICA with Cambodia. KOICA did not hold a handover ceremony due to the COVID-19.

“This donation will encourage reading activities of children and improve the quality of education in the time of COVID-19”.

“KOICA in Cambodia, through this assistance, hopes to maintain good cooperation with Cambodia and establish a smooth cooperation and relationship with partner organisations on volunteers’ programme in the future,” said the announcement.

The Department of Education, Youth and Sports in Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, Takeo and Banteay Meanchey—where the KOICA volunteers used to work before returning home due to the COVID-19—and other NGOs are among the recipients.

AKP