The Book Bus - Zambia

  Zambia

• Other Cities in Zambia: 
Livingstone,  Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Every Saturday - May to October

Description: If you enjoy telling stories of your adventures, why not have an adventure telling stories to African children as a story-teller with the Book Bu, Zambia?

The Book Bus operates from May to October. We need volunteers to join us for a minimum of 2 weeks up to a maximum of 5 months.
Join this remarkable project on any Saturday between May and October in Livingstone, Zambia.

Something Completely Different
If you're looking for something worthwhile but a little bit quirky in your travels, read on...

The Book Bus project is one of our more unusual ventures. It provides a unique opportunity to become part of the crew of the travelling Book Bus in Zambia, a very special mobile library service for children in remote villages in Africa. Between May and September, the Book Bus will tour Zambian schools, hospitals and orphanages, promoting reading and storytelling. The bus has been hand-painted with drawings by much-loved childrens illustrator Quentin Blake.

Share your Passion
Do you have a passion for books and a desire to share the magic of stories with children?

If you combine these two traits, then please consider climbing aboard, as your contribution to the Book Bus could help children become readers for life, boosting their education and quality of life in the future. You will visit schools, hospitals, orphanages and remote villages in Zambia loaded with a cargo of picture books, painting equipment and musical instruments. Wherever you stop you will read to the children, paint and make music with them, donating a box of books to each community.

Fight Inequality
If you believe everyone has the right to an education, this project could be perfect for you. Nearly half of Zambia's population are aged 14 or under, and the country is one of the worlds poorest and least developed. Education, and literacy in particular, is one of the weapons that can help Zambia's people to fight their way out of poverty. Four out of five of Zambia's population live on less than $1 a day - that's less than Europe spends on average on each cow in the European Union.

What can I Do?
It's not a question of throwing money at a problem - it's about spending time getting involved.

The Book Bus is a self-supporting mobile library. As a volunteer you will be involved with setting up camp and cooking meals. You will be fully-involved in running the weeks activities, which requires participation with the children through reading, storytelling, art and sport. It will be hard work, but is infinitely rewarding.

Please Note If you're particularly keen on this venture, please make sure you book soon as spaces on the Book Bus are extremely limited.

Qualifications: No qualifications are required.

Cost in US$: USD 999 for 2 weeks

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Venturers are enthusiastic and motivated team-players, with lots of initiative and a desire to make a positive contribution to the communities they visit.

Age Range: 9-99

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Zambia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of maximum of 10

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Year Founded: 1999