Book Reading Raises $335.20 from Pookai Project
Oct. 5, 2003
ROCKFORD, Ill. – Local residents and notable members of Illinois’ Cambodian-American community came listened to author Sarah Streed read from her book, “Leaving the House of Ghosts: Cambodian Refugees in the American Midwest.”
The Wisconsin-based author was raising awareness about her book, which tells of the struggles of Cambodian refugees who made a new life in the Midwest, and help the Rockford-based Pookai Book Project, which is helping libraries and schools in Cambodia.
Some of the proceeds from books sold at the reading went to The Pookai Book Project. Books sales and donations inspired by the book reading – including a $200 donation from The Cambodian Association of Illinois – The Pookai Book Project raised $335.20.
About a dozen people attended Streed’s book reading at Rockford Public Library’s Northeast Branch, including members of the Cambodian Association of Illinois, the entire board of the Pookai Book Project and a professor of Cambodian history from Northern Illinois University. Streed read from three sections of her book, including a touching chapter about Cambodian families building a new tradition of fishing on a tiny lake in Minnesota.
Along with receiving their money, The Pookai Book Project also donated a copy of Streed’s book to the Northeast Branch of the Rockford Library. Pookai donors David and Sarah Reed, who wanted their copy donated to a worthy recipient, purchased the copy. A copy of Streed’s book will also go to the Angsoeng Library, the Pookai Book Project’s client library in Cambodia.
The Streed book reading also reflects efforts by the Pookai Book Project to increase its activity in the Rockford community and raise additional funds for the organization.
The Rockford-based Pookai Book Project’s mission is to help the restoration of Cambodia by gathering funds and need-specific books for the nation’s libraries. These donations will promote literacy, accelerate education, speed economic development and empower Cambodians to take their place on the world stage. Its first client is the Angsoeng Library, run by leading journalist Chandara Lor.