MV Doulos Hope, the floating library traveling to different countries around the world, is back in Puerto Princesa City for the second time in two years for a 17-day book fair.
Doulos Hope opened to the public on Friday, August 1, offering around 2,000 books on different topics.
Ship skipper Captain Tom Dyer said the vessel was formerly a casino that they converted into a library.
“We have had the privilege to come to your beautiful country and beautiful islands and to experience the culture and the people, and the food,” Dyer said.
Doulos Hope Director Nidhin Sebastian, on the other hand, stated that their first visit back in September 2024 had an immediate effect on the ship’s crew, which inspired them to return.
He also said Doulos Hope means “servant of hope,” noting that the ship is the fifth and newest in GBA’s fleet sailing to different countries across the world. The ship carries more than a hundred volunteer crew members from different nations, including the Philippines.
“We are a multicultural crew of volunteers from about 40 nationalities united with a goal to share knowledge, help, and hope in every port we visit. We do this through floating book fair, practical projects, cultural exchange programs, and meaningful community interactions,” Nidhin said.
“And the heart of our goal is the belief that hope is not something that is distant. It is something we can choose to share each day, in small and intentional ways. Whether it’s in a conversation that encourages, a resource that equips, or a moment of connection that reminds someone that they are not alone,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mayor Lucilo Bayron expressed gratitude to the officers of Doulos.
“To us, MV Doulos Hope is more than just a floating library – it is a vessel of international cooperation, knowledge, learning and hope. With thousands of books and opportunities of learning and literacy. Your 17-day visit will surely be beneficial to our community. It will contribute to our continuing efforts of promoting education and youth development in the city,” he stated.
To book visits, click this link: https://thelittleboxoffice.com/douloshope/
