Teachers in Action Launches Books About Zambia

A group of retired teachers from Cincinnati is working to make a difference in Zambia. Teachers in Action, founded by Susan Richardson, Beth Duff and Mimi Gingold, is publishing two books about Zambia which will be used to promote literacy in community schools. Hello, Pretty Birds of Zambia and We People of Zambia include photographs of Zambia paired with simple English text and a translation into one of the three main indigenous languages, Tonga, Bemba or Nyanja. The books, the first two in an anticipated Life in Zambia series, are being sold both to equip community schools and to raise funds in support of two children's charities, the Ranchhod Hospice Daycare and Preschool and Sables Street Kids Program. Both programs support children infected with or orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the impoverished city of Kabwe.

Teachers in Action is reaching out to individuals and groups interested in improving the lives of vulnerable Zambian children in a campaign which runs from August 1 to October 31, 2013. Supporters can buy or donate a book for as little as US $12 or can provide copies of the books for an entire school for US $350. Alternatively, supporters can purchase a poster of the Birds of Zambia for US$12. Books can be ordered online and will be available in early December, in time for Christmas giving. Books distributed in North America will be in English only while those printed in Zambia will include stickers translating the English text into one of three native languages. The first supporter is USAID which will be including copies of both books in book boxes being shipped to community schools in September as part of its Time to Learn initiative.

The vast majority of the 20 percent of Zambian children who attend community schools cannot read a single word by the end of the second grade. The books' author, Susan Richardson, is confident that providing bilingual readers which reflect their own society will help change that. "As an experienced educator, I understand the importance of colorful, engaging resources," said Richardson. "These books use established techniques to help children learn and, just as importantly, subject matter which makes them want to learn."

Net proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Ranchhod Hospice Daycare and School and to the Sables Street Kids Program, both located in Kabwe. "We have two compatible goals for this project," said retired librarian and Teachers in Action co-founder Mimi Gingold. "We want to help improve the quality of education throughout Zambia while supporting two local programs dear to our hearts. We are optimistic we can do both."

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