Taiwan civil group wants to build library for Cambodian kids

Bangkok, Sept. 10 (CNA) The Taipei-based Care Without Border Association (CWBA) has been raising funds to build a library for children living in poverty in Cambodia, CWBA President Chen Hsiang-chun said Saturday.

Chen, who initiated the project, told CNA via phone that the association wishes to raise NT$2 million (US$68,000) for the planned library in Sihanoukville Province, located 185 kilometers southwest of Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

"We have collected NT$680,000, which were mostly from small donations," Chen said. Barring any glitches, he predicts CWBA volunteers will be able to set off for Cambodia in mid-November .

According to Chen, Cambodia has been suffering from a wide gap between the rich and poor since the Khmer Rouge era. Currently, 75 percent of its population is illiterate.

"There will be no hope without education. People do not know where their future is going if they do not receive education," Chen said.

He explained that his foundation wants to help poor Cambodian children get educated, and that the planned library will allow kids to learn English and acquire other knowledge. (By Namita Lin and Elizabeth