This summer, spending a month in Africa, some of this time was spent volunteering for the Book Bus charity. The charity works in various countries around the globe, encouraging children to go to school and enable them to start an education.

The Book Bus aims to improve child literacy rates in Africa, Asia and South America by providing children with books and the inspiration to read them.

My experience with the Book Bus was one of the most inspirational and heartbreaking seeing the children in the environment, and getting a little 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, the children cannot always 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 and absolutely love the activities the Book Bus provide for them. Running after the bus as we approach the schools, and waves through the communities, we have encouraged students to go school, even if it is just for the time where we are there.

Currently, the project runs for 12 weeks of the year where volunteers come out and join the bus on trips to school. After the school visits, in the afternoons, we also visit local libraries to have 1 to 1 reading with the students to give them some extra learning and reading time. 

The people out in Zambia have really touched my heart, and are some of the happiest and friendliest people I know. 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 team out there. 

All the money that will be donated will go towards resources and facilities for these students to use in different activities, such as reading books, arts and craft materials, musical instruments, atlases etc. Every little will help and I would really appreciate any money you would give to this cause. Thank you!