Cambodia Calling

Everyone knows how obsessed I am with the ABC radio program, 'Life Matters'.  Well, a recent session had Prue Salter on the program.  Her story was about a life changing moment.  She was at the airport and taking a stroll through a book shop - as we all do to waste time and search for that perfect plane read.  Prue came across a book titled, 'Room to Read'.  This book resonated so strongly with her that she decided to do something about it.  

The Room to Read project is a non-profit dedicated to promoting education.  The organisation is based on the philosophy that the world changes with the education of children.  Further, that education is vital in breaking the cycle of poverty in the developing world.  By partnering with the western world, the organisation establishes libraries, constructs schools and provides scholarships to girls.  Since 2000, Room to Read has provided educational resources to 3.1 million children in Asia and Africa, established 10,000 libraries and distributed 99 million children's books.

On the 'Life Matters' episode Prue was interviewed about her experiences establishing a library in Cambodia.  Prue was a teacher, but now runs an on-line tutoring program.  For every dollar that she earns, 5 cents goes to the Cambodian library.  At the end of January she is making her first trip to see the library.  And what she is calling for is not books, but pens.  Interesting and quirky pens.  Pens are hard to come by in rural Asia. 

The photographs above represent the type of pens I purchased for the Cambodian library.  When the nib hits the paper the Disney characters collapse and go all floppy.  They are very cute and would make any child laugh.  I hope they bring much joy to their worthy owners.