Gabriel d’Agay, Saint Exupéry’s great-grandnephew discovered Cambodia and visited SIPAR during his study trip. He went on a round with the PETIT PRINCE mobil library, financed by the FASEJ (Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation) which has been supporting SIPAR for many years.
He gives us his impressions
Cambodia stands out as one of the rare pearls of South East Asia. A rich culture and history, welcoming people, refined gastronomy and striking landscapes all contribute to the beauty of a rapidly growing country.
Throughout our journey, the situation of the education system drew our attention. Considering the impact of some of the darkest days of Cambodia’s history and the current context where over 40% of the population is under 20 years old, it was a unique opportunity to understand how the country was responding to the current challenges, especially thanks to the work of NGOs like Sipar and its partnership with the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Youth Foundation which focus together on youth education, a pillar of the economic and social development of the country.
After meeting with Marady, the Sipar bus driver and librarian in Siem Reap, we drove to Nokor Krau, a small village located near the famous temple of Angkor Wat. In the center of the village, many children of different ages were standing in a simple wooden house, waiting for the bus to arrive. They still had some classes to attend at the nearby school but were taking advantage of the break to come to read, play, or listen to Marady reading picture books out loud . During that time they were also able to borrow books that they would give back next time the bus came.
Cambodia stands out as one of the rare pearls of South East Asia. A rich culture and history, welcoming people, refined gastronomy and striking landscapes all contribute to the beauty of a rapidly growing country.
We were struck by the kindness of the children we met. Welcoming and curious, they were happy to read and play with us despite the language barrier. It was a great experience to see the positive impact Sipar has on the education and happiness of Cambodian children and to understand that their aid is essential to ensure this youth a promising future.
