Book Donation Project Aims to Boost Literacy for Rural Children in South Korea

An initiative to foster a love for reading among children in rural areas of South Korea is underway with the "2026 Children's BookDream Project." International child rights NGO Save the Children, in partnership with SK Innovation and Kyobo Book Centre, is facilitating the donation of books selected by children in rural community centers.

This campaign is an extension of the "HappyDream Library" project, which Save the Children has been conducting since 2024. The initiative focuses on supporting community child centers in rural and fishing villages that often lack adequate educational and cultural infrastructure. To date, approximately 20,800 books have been provided, creating reading environments for about 2,000 children. The project plans to establish an additional seven "HappyDream Libraries" this year, expanding the total to 32 locations across various regions.

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For children, books are more than just tools for learning knowledge; they are important mediums for discovering personal potential and encountering the wider world.

Surveys conducted among children participating in the "HappyDream Library" project have shown significant positive impacts. Reading practice rates increased by 87%, library usage rose by 60%, and book preference surged by 160%. These figures highlight the crucial role that accessible and engaging reading materials play in a child's development.

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Through this project, we aim to support rural children in encountering the books they want to read nearby and enjoying reading in their daily lives.

The project operates on a matching donation basis: for every book donated by citizens, SK Innovation and Kyobo Book Centre will contribute an equivalent number of books. The recommended reading list includes titles selected by KAIST professor Jeong Jae-seung, books chosen by the children themselves, and recommendations from Kyobo Book Centre's merchandising team. Popular choices like "The Giver" and "Matilda" are among the selections, allowing citizens to donate books that reflect children's interests and needs.

Participation in the campaign is possible both online and offline. Citizens can select and donate recommended books through the Kyobo Book Centre event page until September 9. An offline donation booth has also been set up at the Kyobo Book Centre's Gwanghwamun branch throughout August. Jang Sung-jun, head of Save the Children's Eastern Regional Headquarters, emphasized the importance of books as tools for learning, self-discovery, and connecting with the wider world, urging public support for the initiative.

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We ask for the interest and participation of many citizens in this campaign.