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The Book Bus
Project - Zambia Background
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.
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 AIDS.
This figure will continue to rise.
AIDS has had a catastrophic effect on education.
In 2001 a survey 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.
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