The National Reading Promotion for Children and Young People Project was launched in 1990 for an initial 10-year period and renewed for a further 10 years in 2000, with support from a number of international agencies including UNICEF, UNESCO, the French government, the Japan Sotoshu Relief Committee (JSRC) and the Association for Sending Picture Books to Lao Children (ASPB). It seeks to promote reading habits for children in primary schools, to equip children with the skills to develop the country, to protect children from drug abuse by encouraging them to use their free time for worthwhile activities, and to encourage children to recognise and develop their own special skills. Activities include the establishment of school libraries in primary and secondary schools and book bags and book cases in schools in remoter areas in order to encourage children to read the Lao language fluently and use books for learning; the publication and provision of children's books; the establishment of Children's Cultural Centres (CCCs) at district level throughout the country to which children can come during their spare time to participate in reading and related activities; and the provision of teacher training courses and scholarships for pedagogic students. As part of this project the National Library runs its own puppet troupe: