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Welcome aboard The Book Bus
Introduction from Tom Maschler
I have been a publisher for over 40 years and passionately
believe books can change people’s lives.
When
I travelled to Zambia at the end of 2006 I saw the problems
created by HIV/AIDS – in particular the effect on
children. At least one child in seven has lost one or both
parents to the disease, and many are not able to attend
school. Quite apart from the devastation caused to families,
there is an acute shortage of teachers.
I left Zambia determined to do something to help. The Book
Bus Foundation is the result.
The Book Bus
Our
splendid library bus carries hundreds of picture books,
art equipment, puppets and musical instruments. As you can
see here, the bus has been
marvellously decorated by Quentin Blake, one of Britain’s
favourite children’s artists (and ours too). It looks
extraordinary parked under the trees in an African village!
For several months of the year, the Book Bus tours villages,
community schools and orphanages in Zambia. At each location
we work with children, engaging them in activities designed
to inspire them to want to read. These include story-telling,
one-on-one reading sessions, singing, painting and performing
plays that the children have written themselves. We
also work closely with teachers to encourage them to make
‘reading enjoyment’ as much a part of the curriculum
as the alphabet.
We provide each community with a crate of children’s
books and show them how to set up and run reading clubs.
We’ve had heart-warming feedback about children showing
a passionate interest in reading for the first time.
Our First Year in Zambia
Between May and September 2008 the Book Bus and its crew
visited schools and orphanages in Lusaka, Kabwe and Livingstone.
They read with over 1500 children, developed six reading
clubs, donated 1000 books, decorated classrooms and encouraged
plenty of budding readers and artists. We have had wonderful
feedback about children coming out of their shells and becoming
actively interested in reading following our visits.
We Need Your Help
Keeping
the bus on the road takes a great deal of effort and, even
though we run very frugally, it also takes money. I hope
you will give us your support. Your generosity will benefit
children and communities who desperately need our help.
Making a donation couldn’t
be simpler, or if you’re looking for an adventure,
you couldn’t find a better one than joining the Book
Bus in Zambia and working as part of our crew for a couple
of weeks. Why don’t you see
here for more details?
All the best,
Tom Maschler
PS - Please spread the
word about the Book Bus to everyone you know who loves reading
and cares about the welfare of children.
Read more about
Tom Maschler.
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