Doulos Hope brings floating book fair to Kuching

The much-anticipated floating bookstore, Doulos Hope, will make its way to Kuching from August 2nd, 2024. The vessel is scheduled to berth at the Kuching Port Authority from August 1st, providing a unique opportunity for book lovers in the region. The Borneo Post reported that the bookstore will be open to the public from August 2nd until August 28th, offering an impressive collection of around 2,000 book titles. The book fair will operate from Tuesday to Sunday, between 2 PM and 9 PM.

The last entry to the ship is at 8:30 PM, with Mondays designated as rest days for the book fair. An entry fee of RM2 per person is charged, although children under 12 and senior citizens over 65 are granted free entry. Payment for entry is cash-only, and tickets are mandatory for all visitors, including those eligible for free entry.

A return to Kuching

Doulos Hope’s visit to Kuching marks a significant event, as the ship had planned to dock here last year but had to cancel at the last minute. After its stint in Kuching, the ship is scheduled to continue its journey to Sandakan, Sabah.

Doulos Hope is the latest addition to the legacy of floating bookstores, following the paths of its predecessors, Doulos (1977-2010) and Logos Hope (since 2009). The name ‘Doulos’ is derived from the Greek word for ‘servant,’ symbolizing the ship’s mission as a ‘servant of hope.’

Built in Germany in 1991, the vessel was officially handed over to GBA Ships on May 25th, 2022. The ship underwent modifications to repurpose its spaces to meet the organization’s needs and was launched into service in May 2023.

The ship is staffed by an international crew and volunteers from around 60 countries, who commit one or more years to serving on board. The crew promotes literacy, education, cross-cultural cooperation, and social awareness, reflecting God’s compassion in the ports and countries they visit. In addition to the book fair, the ship’s teams engage in providing aid and community care, partnering with local groups to bring hope and support to diverse communities.

For detailed information regarding the ship’s schedule and ticketing, interested individuals can follow Doulos Hope on Instagram and Facebook at @DoulosHopeMalaysia.