Being a teenager reading volunteer

"It really challenged my comfort zone, it allowed me to come home and really appreciate all the small things in life and all the opportunities that we are lucky to receive." Read 17 year-old, Siena's experience of her time as a volunteer reader with the Book Bus. 

Siena with some of Zambia's eager readers! 

"During the summer of 2017, I spent two weeks in Zambia volunteering for the Book Bus. The charity works in various countries around the globe, encouraging children to go to school and enabling them to expand their education. The Book Bus aims to improve child literacy rates in Malawi & Zambia by providing children with books and the inspiration to read them.

My experience with the Book Bus was one of the most inspirational but also heart breaking, seeing the children in their environment, and getting an insight into a small part of their lives. These children are so eager to learn and read, but due to a lack of funding and resources, they cannot carry out daily activities in school that we take for granted.

Visiting two community schools and one government school, the difference in the learning standard and the facilities these children are able to use is astounding. The children are always so happy, full of smiles, enthusiastic to read and absolutely love the activities the Book Bus provides for them.

Volunteers  join the Book Bus  and work with the local Zambia team in the mornings visiting schools and holiday clubs. In the afternoon, we also visited local libraries to have 1 to 1 reading with the students to give some extra learning and reading time.

Engaging children with great stories

Touching my heart 

Since coming back  to the UK I have stayed in contact with one of the schools, which has given me the opportunity to see what the students are getting up to. I have also been able to fundraise for this amazing charity through using Just Giving, where all the money is donated towards resources and facilities for different activities, such as reading books, arts and craft materials, musical instruments, atlases etc.

Even though this experience was completely different to anything I have experienced before, and it really challenged my comfort zone, it allowed me to come home and really appreciate all the small things in life and all the opportunities that we are lucky to receive. It really does put life into a completely different perspective seeing such positivity in the children of Zambia.
The people in Zambia have really touched my heart, and are some of the happiest and friendliest people I have had the pleasure to meet and spend time with. The two weeks I was there was filled with many different emotions, through getting to know certain students better than others and working with the most amazing and professional team.

I would not change my experience for the world, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute." 

Spend 2 weeks this summer helping children to read. Find out more 

Family volunteering in Zambia

Toby and Sabine are a son and mum team who volunteered with the Book Bus in Livingstone during 2017. 

The daily story time sessions with Toby,  Sabine & children

Aged nine, Toby is one of our youngest volunteers. Mum, Sabine had heard about the Book Bus several years ago, but decided to wait until Toby was a little older and felt ready to participate fully. And that is just what he did. He helped deliver reading sessions in schools, as well as getting involved in the planning of reading sessions along with other volunteers. As a child, Toby could identify with many children on our projects as well as being a reading role model. Toby’s enthusiasm for reading was something he was able to share with the children he met, and he feels one of his achievements was to help make reading more fun for the children. We absolutely agree!

Out of your comfort zone: Meeting elephants on the way to school

Sabine has a professional background in literacy and art, and has delivered music and drama workshops in schools, experience which she put to good use in planning and delivering sessions for the Book Bus. As Sabine pointed out, “Flexibility is essential, especially when helping to run the reading holiday clubs in Zambia  as numbers of children who might turn up is hard to predict. There were occasions when groups of children grew dramatically in size as the session went on, so I really had to think on my feet!. 

“Spending quality time together in such a different environment, and working together, a little out of everyone’s comfort zone, can lead to families learning a lot about each other,”

“I was impressed at how the Book Bus is aiming to make a sustainable difference, so that volunteers’ experience and expertise is shared and used to empower the local team. I was happy to share many  ideas about staff development with the Zambian team,” said Sabine. 

We asked Sabine and Toby what they felt they had got out of the experience, and something they both mentioned was learning about how people live in other parts of the world. 

“It is one thing to read or watch TV about people living in difference countries,” they said “but to physically be there and meet the children, and be part of the Book Bus’s work to help children read is far more powerful. The children were really eager to learn and make the most of their opportunities” they agreed. 

Toby felt strongly that he wanted to help children elsewhere in the world to succeed in life. He particularly enjoyed the one-to-one reading sessions that the Book Bus volunteers ran in the afternoons in local libraries. 

The perfect travel & Book Bus buddies

Volunteering as a family was something both Sabine and Toby wanted to try, though they felt a little apprehensive as to how they would cope. As soon as they arrived at the Book Bus project in Livingstone, they realised it was a great idea, and Sabine watched Toby getting stuck in, coping well with a new environment, and gaining in confidence as he led some of the warm up songs and games that always started the Book Bus reading sessions. They really enjoyed working together, and reckon they are perfect travel buddies. 

“Spending quality time together in such a different environment, and working together, a little out of everyone’s comfort zone, can lead to families learning a lot about each other,” concluded Sabine. 

Will they do the Book Bus again? They both said …”yes!”

Can you share your skills & help engage more children in books? Find out more 

Bookish fun with the Book Bus in Zambia

Having spent her life in the world of books, recent librarian retiree, Carol Williams joined us for lots of bookish fun as a reading volunteer in Zambia during 2017. Read Carol's story...

Sharing stories from around the world  

“ Sitting in the back of an open sided converted safari truck, blown around by the wind, we watched Zambian street life as we passed by and exchanged waves with enthusiastic children and parents.  It was the beginning of my three weeks as a reading volunteer aboard Book Bus Charlie. 

    

I had heard about the Book Bus several years ago, but having recently retired, now was the time to get up and go. The charity’s aim is ‘to improve child literacy rates by providing children with books and the inspiration to read them’, and volunteers, working alongside Book Bus staff, are the key to making this happen. I felt that my skills from years as a school librarian would be a good fit.

So, I packed my bags and flew to Livingstone in Zambia, near Victoria Falls in August 2017. We were staying at the Waterfront Campsite, where the Book Bus had its own area with safari style tents. The Project Coordinator was Bwalya Chimba who was supported by her wonderful Book Bus team.  Bwalya was an inspiration, calm and efficient, always there, coping with anything that needed sorting without fuss, but with a wicked sense of humour. 

Meeting elephants en route

On a typical day we would be up early for breakfast at 7am, and travel in Book Bus Charlie to start work in school at 9am, running two sessions with groups of children. The school might be in a suburb of Livingstone, or more rural, in which case we might pass zebra, elephants and impala en route. There are 72 languages spoken in Zambia, but English is the key to getting on, so we used mostly picture books in English, with one of the Book Bus Zambian team on hand to help with translate when necessary.

In Zambian schools, children from around eight years of age upwards are taught all their subjects in English so getting to grips with the language really helps the children achieve the maximum from their education. Known as reading volunteers, we would read to a group of enthusiastic children looking at the text, followed by a craft activity. The children love taking home something they have made, whether it was a patchwork Elmer, a lion mask, or a dancing giraffe. I had to get quite creative quite quickly - not my natural talent maybe, but as volunteers we all learnt from each other, and I often surprised myself! 

Creating artwork around book characters

The afternoons were a mix of preparation for the next day and visiting local libraries to offer one-to-one reading sessions. At Zwelopili, a small school in a deprived area of Livingstone, this involved queues of 100 or more excited children waiting their turn to read.  This school, built by the Book Bus in 2015, has no water or electricity, and just one classroom. Part of the school is a much-loved library known as the Reading Room. It is looked after by two dedicated Book Bus staff, Claudia and James, who keep it looking smart and welcoming, organise reading sessions, and lend books to children. 

            

Making an impact

My lasting impressions from the trip are all to do with the people. Inspirational adults have set up and run schools in deprived areas, getting money to improve them from wherever they can. Enthusiastic children keen to learn is a bit of a cliché, but it was true. At schools it sometimes appeared chaotic, but there were no 'discipline' issues, and children would put their all into the work they did. It really is true that we in Europe sometimes need to appreciate what we take for granted: education, libraries, easy access to IT. The Book Bus is obviously well respected, making a real impact in Zambia. 

Book Bus Coordinator, Bwalya summed up the positivity in her comment on reading: 

“Imagine a world without books; when you read, your adventure is on, so if you can’t read, you’re missing out on so much. Open a book and go on that adventure!”

Will I go back again? Try stopping me!"

Join us in 2018 in Zambia. Share your skills and help more children have fun with books and learn to read.
Our Livingstone reading project is open 13th August to 7th September 2018. 

Find out more  

Walking with Words

These boots were made for walking...

Book lover and Yorkshire hiker, Gail Richards is walking over 200kms across the West Yorkshire landscape to celebrate our 10^th anniversary and to raise £10,000 to help continue our literacy work in Ecuador, Malawi and Zambia.

Gail was inspired by the children's stories

From Hebden Bridge through Huddersfield, Wakefield and Leeds to Ilkley and onto Howarth, the 20-day loop hike throughout April will take Gail through the rich and diverse literary heritage that West Yorkshire has to offer. Gail will visit local schools, museums, groups and bookshops along the route collecting stories, join in reading and storytelling with local groups and collect unique stories, poems and word snippets from passers by as she walks over the Yorkshires hills, through valleys and along canal paths.

Said Gail “I volunteered on the Book Bus in Zambia with my daughter back in 2012 and it was one of the most inspiring times of our lives. Every day the Book Bus travels to schools and villages with books for children that have none. We shared books and stories then brought the books alive through art and drama with lots of fun thrown in."

Gail hopped aboard Book Bus Charlie working in Zambia 

Continued Gail, “Whilst in Zambia I heard the stories of some children that walked for an hour to get to school every day and an hour back, often through harsh terrain. I was so inspired by their insatiable desire to learn that I was determined to raise awareness of struggles many children have getting to school and accessing books. I love walking and I love books too I thought I’d combine these and walk through the landscape that I love, West Yorkshire.  I’m aiming to raise £10,000 to celebrate 10 years of the Book Bus and to help keep the Book Buses on the road to continue their vital projects,” concluded Gail.

Help Gail raise £10,000 for the Book Bus 

Follow Gail's route across West Yorkshire 

Gail's route across West Yorkshire

Two weeks in Malawi

Fancy spending your hard earned holidays helping children to read? That ‘s just what Scottish Primary school teacher Vikki Taylor did with our Book Bus  project in Malawi. 

“I wanted to do something a bit different with my summer holiday. I’d heard about the Book Bus and how it is helping children learn how to read. and I’d never been to an African country before so this was a great opportunity. 

“Although I did a lot of research before I left, nothing prepared me for the sheer numbers in primary schools and the very challenging conditions Malawian teachers work in. 

Volunteer Vikki helps get children engaged in reading 

However I was equally taken aback by the energy, enthusiasm and the insatiable desire to learn from the children. As a teacher it was a real joy to experience, “ continued Vikki. 

Malawi, located in sub Saharan Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the world with 60% of the population living below the poverty line and over ½ of the population under the age of 16. Schools are poorly equipped, overcrowded and teachers face huge challenges to undertake even basic teaching in this developing country. 

The Book Bus brings books and other literacy resources to schools, builds libraries and reading corners and has a volunteering programme supported by teachers and librarians to up skill teachers and the local community. 

Vikki travelled out with another teacher for 2 weeks to join the Book Bus reading mentor programme in Mangochi, located by the Great Lake Malawi. 

“As teachers our role involved creating simple lessons and activities around books with arts and crafts and games to reinforce learning, “ explained Vikki. “It was hard work at times but great fun. 

“As a teacher I learnt so much coming to Malawi. The sheer size of the classes (120:1), often no desks, chairs, few resources and no books.  The Malawian teachers do an impressive job though. 

Meet the real Elmers in Malawi 

“It wasn’t all work though,” continued Vikki.  “The project is only 2 hours away from the Liwonde National Wildlife park so we spent the weekend there on safari with all the animals Africa has to offer including, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo”. 

“It was a real privilege to be part of this literacy programme as it has so much impact on the ground. As teachers we also worked with the local Book Bus team, sharing our skills, and teaching techniques to help them continue deliver a reading support programme long after we volunteers have left”.  

“I was surprised at what can be achieved in 2 weeks. The structures were already in place so we knew how we slotted in and how our professional skills were used in the best way during the short time we had on the project, “ said Vikki. 

The Book Bus also has a small library that local children can drop into during the afternoons. It has lots of free reading sessions, story telling, arts, crafts and outside games. 

“I was astounded about how many children turn up to the library –sometimes they queued to get in – an incredible site,” continued Vikki. “The children get opportunities to do lots activities that they can’t do in school. It was wonderful to see the hidden talents and skills that they didn’t even know they had, as they can’t do these types of activities in schools. 

“You really feel part of the community on this project as the library is right in the centre of the market area. It’s an experience I will never forget and makes me realise how lucky I am. I always wanted to be a teacher and was given the opportunity to fulfil my dreams. So many people in the world can’t and that’s what this project does. It gives children an opportunity to learn to read. When you can read, it’s a crucial step to opening up a whole new world. I feel I did have a small, and hopefully a significant, impact on the lives of some children. It’s an experience that will remain with me forever” concluded Vikki. 

The Book Bus is 10 years old this year and is looking for experienced teachers and reading mentors to join its literacy projects in Malawi and Zambia from June to September 2016.

Find out more  by visiting our volunteering pages 

Volunteer with the Book Bus in the UK

Tom volunteered in between travelling

Volunteers are the backbone of what we do. We know that due to personal commitments many people would like to volunteer with us, but don't want to leave the UK. 

We've recently created lots of new opportunities for people to spend time volunteering with us on specific UK projects. 

Read about Tom's experience working with our marketing team... 

"I volunteered for Book Bus in between my travels. I was eager to do something useful with my free time so sought some voluntary work which I could do from home. 

From the word go, the Book Bus team were very welcoming and showed great trust with the projects that they set me. I felt like I was making a positive contribution with the tasks that I completed. 

The work was varied and included editing newsletter articles, researching children's book authors, searching for new online forums and literacy websites as well as identifying new channels of communication which we could use to reach out to new volunteers. I made some real progress and earned a huge amount of satisfaction from creating new leads for a worthwhile charity. 

I would encourage anyone with an interest in books or experience in working with children to offer their time to Book Bus. 

I'm now off to spend time with my next big passion - travel and skiing..."

We're looking for volunteers that can help spread the word about the Book Bus. If you have marketing experience and can spare a few hours each week, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with marian@thebookbus.org

Your work WILL make a difference. 

UK Volunteers needed to help the Book Bus

​We need you...

Do you have a few hours to spare each week? Our UK office is looking for volunteers to help keep the wheels of the Book Bus go round and round! 

We looking for help with general office duties, research, education outreach work and marketing. Opportunities are wide and varied and past volunteers have come from all walks of life and spread across many generations! 

We currently have 4 vacancies 

• a. Office Admin Support: Our office is based in Hackney in East London and we're looking for someone who can volunteer at least one day a week 
• b. Fundraising Volunteer: This roles offers volunteers the opportunity to work from home (anywhere in the UK) or in our London- based office. 
• c. Marketing and Social media: Can you help get our message out there? It's hard work but fun and you'll really be contributing to keeping the charity on the global map of literacy. You can work from home or in our London based office - the choice is yours! 
• d. Education and outreach worker. Can you help build our new UK schools programme? 

For more information 

Visit our website and tab along to "Volunteering in the UK'

Pop us an email info@thebookbus.org

Pick up the phone and let's have a chat on 0208 099 9280