Our Programs
Our work can be grouped into three core program areas.
Publication & Educational Materials Development
Libraries & Reading Spaces
Book Workshops & Local Partnerships
Working with Cambodian youth and educators, we:
Co-author multilingual children’s books that adapt local folktales and everyday experiences into illustrated narratives in Khmer, English, and Korean
Develop titles that include retellings of stories such as Amok and Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, alongside original stories that reflect children’s daily lives
Handle editing, design, layout, and initial funding for printing, while local youth contribute ideas and stories
Design original cartoon characters, illustrations, and digital learning materials to avoid copyright issues and create recognizable figures for children
Earnings are partially reinvested to print additional copies, which are donated to local schools and used to create children’s libraries.
To date, Lumen’s books have been used to help create three children’s libraries in Siem Reap. In these spaces.
Lumen books are shelved alongside other donated books.
Children can browse freely and read alone, with peers, or with teachers.
Children encounter stories that feel familiar—in settings, foods, and family structures—while practicing reading in both Khmer and English.
Some of these libraries are integrated into schools; others are small community-based reading rooms.
Lumen also helps organize reading sessions and book workshops through schools, community libraries, and long-standing institutions like Sipar using Lumen books as tools for both language learning and cultural pride.
For example, in collaboration with the National Library of Cambodia, regularly host Korean language & cultural ZOOM classes for Cambodian youth, librarians, and interested individuals.
In these workshops, we:
Read stories aloud in Khmer, English, and Korean
Pause for questions about vocabulary, characters’ choices, and cultural elements in the stories
Invite children to draw scenes or characters or to tell new variations of the tale
Collect feedback from children, teachers, and parents to improve future publications