In the remote floating villages of Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, a new initiative is making education more accessible for children. Two mobile boat libraries are traveling the waters, bringing books and learning materials directly to kids in communities where schools are difficult to reach.
Launched by Action Education in partnership with Education Above All (EAA), this project aims to overcome the challenges that prevent children in these floating villages from accessing education. In an area where schools and learning resources are scarce, these boat libraries are offering a unique solution to ensure young minds have the opportunity to explore and grow through reading.
The mobile libraries serve students in two communes in Battambang province’s Ek Phnom district—Koh Chivaing and Prey Chas. The boats visit five villages in Koh Chivaing and four in Prey Chas, bringing books to children who would otherwise have limited access to educational materials.
“We have teams running the mobile libraries, making sure they reach schools in these communes,” said Vorn Samphors, Country Director of Action Education Cambodia. “Our schedule is flexible, allowing us to meet the needs of students. We also bring boxes of books to swap out at schools, ensuring a steady supply of new reading materials.”
The mobile boats don’t just make weekly visits; they also promote a consistent reading habit. “For many children, this is their only access to books,” Samphors added. “By rotating through different schools and visiting them at least once a week, we encourage students to develop a reading routine.”
The impact of the floating libraries is already evident. Every time the boats arrive, children gather excitedly, eager to read with their friends or borrow books to take home. Between 10 to 25 students join the sessions on each visit, sparking their imagination through storytelling.
Each mobile library carries about 1,500 books, offering 180 different titles on topics ranging from fairy tales to science, history, and life skills. On average, 278 students per school have access to these books each month, either by reading on the boat or borrowing them for home reading.
“The improved access to books has been incredible,” Samphors said. “Not only are students reading more, but their enthusiasm for learning has grown. The libraries encourage curiosity and critical thinking, essential skills for their future.”
Despite the positive impact, a 2023 survey by The Asia Foundation, which interviewed 400 adults in Phnom Penh with children aged 4 to 9, showed that 85% of parents read physical books with their children at least once a week. However, access to books remains limited, with just 10% of households owning more than 20 children’s books. Still, 100% of parents agreed on the importance of reading, though 84% cited a lack of time as a barrier.
A 2016 survey by World Vision International found that while 64.7% of children reported their reading skills as “Excellent,” “Very Excellent,” or “Good,” national data suggests that only 50% of sixth graders read proficiently. This gap highlights the difference between children’s self-assessment and actual reading abilities.
This mobile library project is part of a larger effort to invest in education across Cambodia. The country’s total educational funding has reached $57 million, with the EAA Foundation contributing nearly $25 million. Action Education, UNESCO, and United World Schools (UWS) are all working together to improve educational access nationwide.
In addition to providing books, the project addresses a critical issue: transportation. For 114 primary school students, the boats serve as both mobile libraries and a safe way to travel to school, especially during the rainy season when rising water levels make travel hazardous.
Koh Chivaing and Prey Chas face economic instability, worsened by climate change’s impact on local fishing industries. Long boat journeys to school often discourage attendance, leading to lower academic performance. By bringing books directly to children and helping with transportation, this initiative is removing multiple barriers to education.
For 10-year-old Srey Neang, the floating libraries have been a game-changer. “I love reading stories about animals and adventures,” she said, holding a borrowed book. “Before, I only had my school textbooks. Now, I can read many different books and learn new things.”
Srey’s teacher, Sok Dara, has seen significant changes in her students. “The children who never read outside class are now excited to wait for the library boats. It has boosted their confidence in learning and sparked their excitement about education.”
As the boats continue their journey across Tonle Sap Lake, they carry more than just books—they bring hope and the promise of a brighter future. One visit at a time, they are proving that education knows no boundaries, not even on the vast waters of Cambodia’s great lake.
