Why Zambia

There are many reasons why we chose Zambia for the first Book Bus journey.

Initially, at least, we are dependent on donated books written in English. Zambia has a rich linguistic heritage of over 70 indigenous languages, however English is understood by most of the population. Most of those aged 15 or over can read and write in English.
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We wanted to go somewhere where there was a clear need and the potential to make a difference. Zambia is one of the world’s poorest, least developed countries. Four out of five people live on less than $1 a day – the World Bank’s definition of poverty.
Zambia ranks number seven in the international league table for HIV/AIDS. According to UNAIDS/WHO estimates:
- One in six adults lives with HIV/AIDS.
- 130,000 children under 14 are infected with HIV.
- Life expectancy is just 40 years. In the UK we can expect to live to be 78.
- Zambia has a very young population. Nearly half are aged 14 or under.
- At least one in seven children has lost one or both parents to AIDS¹. This figure will continue to rise.
AIDS has had a catastrophic effect on education. In 2001 a survey² found that one third of younger children did not attend primary school. One in eight respondents said that a child in their own family did not attend school because a parent or guardian was suffering from AIDS or had died from AIDS.
Many of the literacy programmes in Africa centre on education and self-help. Our focus will be on promoting a taste for reading in young children, encouraging a love and respect for books early in life.

When Tom Maschler and his friend, Chris Mclure, travelled to Zambia in November 2006, they saw at first hand the problems experienced by educators in remote parts of the country. Teachers and community leaders welcomed the idea of the Book Bus with great warmth and clamoured to know when they could expect a visit.

The Book Bus is very much a joint British/Zambian project. There are several Zambian nationals in our team, including two drivers who will share the duties of driving and maintaining the bus. We are also looking forward to meeting the many local writers, artists and musicians who will travel with us to read to and entertain the children.

1. The World Bank ACTafrica, "Exploring the Implications of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic for Educational Planning in Selected African Countries: The Demographic Question," March 2000.

2. Zambia DHS EdData Survey 2002: Education Data for Decision-Making, Central Statistical Office [Zambia] and ORC Macro, 2003.