Duration: 14+ days If you enjoy telling stories of your adventures, why not have an adventure telling stories to African children as a volunteer with the Book Bus in Zambia.
The Book Bus provides a unique opportunity to become part of the crew of a very special mobile library service for children in remote villages in Africa and South America. Between May and October, the Book Bus, which has been decorated by much-loved children's illustrator Quentin Blake, will tour Zambian schools, hospitals and orphanages to promote reading and storytelling.
Why the Book Bus needs you.
Education and learning to read is taken for granted here in the Uk. In Zambia it is estimated that 800,000 children miss out on a basic education every day.
Read more... This is because children spend the day collecting water, tending fields or even running the family home. Schools are often a significant walking distance away and fees are mandatory so often education is simply inaccessible. There is, however, a profound enthusiasm for education. And it was this, along with the high number of children out of school that drove Zambian communities to develop their own volunteer-run schools. These so called "community schools" often hold classes beneath trees, in an old container or in the village hall.
Despite this communities are fighting hard to create the best schools they can with what little they have, but the sad reality in Zambia is that:
• Teachers are paid very little
• The schools lack the most basic resources
• Many of the teachers are untrained
• The facilities and conditions in the schools are poor
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 world’s 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.
Linda Community School — Dambwa Community School What will you be doing?
Volunteers travel on the Book Bus and work with small groups of children. We aim to give them the opportunity to engage with the stories and characters. We encourage them to associate books with enjoyment and creativity and in doing so hope to sow the seeds of a lifelong love of reading that will benefit the children and their communities for years to come.
Read more... Practising Reading
This can be a case of working individually with the children or reading altogether in one group
Dramatising stories through art and craft
By planning arts and crafts around the storylines and characters the children have the opportunity to be creative and use their imagination.
Organise fun activities around the books
This is a chance for the volunteers to use their imagination and play games and plan fun activities related to the stories.
What makes a good session — Art and craft — Which books work well The Book Bus crew
The Book Bus crew is made up of a volunteer leader, Book Bus driver and up to 10 volunteers at any one time. We travel from school to school in our Book Bus t-shirts are well known around town
Read more... 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.
Life on the Zambian roads can be challenging at times and the heat and basic accommodation are facts of everyday life. It is therefore essential than as a crew member you have a reasonable level of health and fitness. Equally important will be your desire to engage with children (previous experience of working with children is welcome by not necessary). Some measure of artistic and/or musical talent, or at least a willingness to have a go, will stand you in good stead. And, if you are shy in company, be prepared to shed at least some of your inhibitions! Our crew members all share a positive outlook, enjoy being part of a team and have a real desire to make a difference.
Kelly - The Book Bus leader — A typical crew Life in camp
During the project you will be camping at Grubby's Grotto. The site is located within walking distance of Livingstone centre and is safe, secure and shady with a small pool and bar.
Read more... Tents
We use large spacious 4/5 man tents for a maximum of 2 volunteers per tent. The tents are equipped with mosquito doors and are regularily updated.
Meals
You will be eating communally and very much working together as a team. We can cater for virtually any dietary requirements as you will have input into the weekly shop and can even accompany the leader to the local markets. The Book Bus attracts volunteers from many different walks of life and ages so you can be sure that you'll be part of a diverse and interesting group.
Typical day
7am: Wake up - breakfast and washing up
7:30am: Prep time
8:30am: Hit the road
9am-1:30pm: At school (4 one hour sessions)
2pm: Lunch back at camp
Afternoon/evening - free for activities/preparation/relaxation
Click below for details on the range of exciting activities on offer in Livingstone
Adventure — Cruises — Animal and Cultural Activities Placement cost and what's included
Everyone that joins the Book Bus pays for their own flights, a project contribution and makes a donation to the kitty. This covers all food, accommodation, art material, 24/7 support, field manual, volunteer leader, Book Bus T-shirt, running costs of the Book Bus.
Read more... The project contribution for an initial two week placement is £749 plus a local payment of $350. Each additional week is £195 plus $175 local payment.
It is possible to raise funds for your placement and The Book Bus Foundation is listed on www.virginmoneygiving.com We can provide you with a fundraising pack, leaflets, money boxes, stickers, posters and t-shirts to support your event or activity.
Not included
Zambian Visa, International flights, optional activities, travel insurance, vaccinations, personal expenditure.
Flights to Zambia range from £600-900. VentureCo have access to favourable rates and are fully ATOL bonded. If you would like a quote just get in touch.
Most people fly in and out of Livingstone airport but some travel overland from Lusaka or Johannesburg or even combine their project with a safari or overland tour.
Duration
You can volunteer for any duration from 2 weeks to 4 months. The Book Bus departs our base every Monday which means you will have to arrive on the Saturday. This gives us a chance to conduct a project briefing on the Sunday and for you to meet your fellow volunteers and settle into Zambian life.
This is a popular project and space is limited so we advise that you send in your booking form (download here) as soon as possible.
Volunteer case study — Facebook Important Information
You will recieve a field manual before you travel with everything you need to know, including advice about visas, health, expected weather and what to pack.
Read more... VentureCo are well practiced in preparing volunteers for placements and you can be assured that high measures of safety and security will be followed at all times.
Weather — What to pack — Visas The history of the Book Bus
Tom Maschler came up with the idea for the Book Bus when on holiday in Zambia in 2007, since then it has expanded to five projects in three countries
Read more... Tom Maschler was a publisher for over four decades. While still in his twenties he ran Jonathan Cape, where he published no fewer than thirteen Nobel Prize winners. He nurtured the careers of many of the Twentieth century's most esteemed authors, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Ian McEwan, Joseph Heller, Roald Dahl and Bruce Chatwin. He also came up with the idea for the Booker Prize; now acknowledged as the most significant fiction prize in the world.
On holiday in Zambia he was shocked at the lack of resources in the schools and so came up with the idea of the Book Bus; a mobile library, travelling from school to school promoting literacy.
Read more about the Book Bus Foundation on www.thebookbus.org
The original Book Bus — Quentin Blake Make the most of your time in Africa
We offer a range of adventure tours, safaris, accommodation and stopover options from tours in Kruger National Park to 35 day overland adventures through East Africa to see the Gorillas in Uganda. Click on the links below for further details
Adventures
Pre/Post Accommodation and stopover packages
Book Now
Working on the Book Bus is very popular and places are very limited.
You can secure your place on board with a deposit of £100.
Download and complete a booking form now and climb aboard for a life-changing experience.
If you have any questions or need further information or would like to speak with a past volunteer then drop us a line. volunteer@thebookbus.org
The project brings a lot of joy to the people of Livingstone. You will never get tired of seeing the smiling faces of the children, waving and shouting hello as you make the trip along the dirt tracks to the schools. It is the most wonderful feeling when you step off the bus on your first day and the children swarm you!! I smiled so much, my face hurt!!!Helen Davies - 2010