Donate a Book to a Zambian Child - Gift for Life

Project Overview

ZOCS seeks to empower underprivileged children by providing them with essential books and school requisites.  ZOCS acknowledges and commends Government for the implementation of the Education for All Policy which has allowed a huge number of out-of-school children going back to school. However, despite this commendable gesture by Government, ZOCS noted with great dismay that children are attending classes without books. This if not addressed, some children may drop out of school again.

The objectives of the Project are to:

1. Foster a love for learning – encouraging a positive attitude towards education by demonstrating the value of school supplies and their impact on learning outcomes.
2. Retain children in school- ensure that children have necessary supplies to pursue education effectively

ZOCS received funding through GlobalGiving to support the Donate A Book Campaign. ZOCS has received an additional 600 dollars and has achieved the targeted $1,000.

Implementation:

The funds received have managed to procure an additional 950 hard cover exercise books (192 pages each), bringing the total number of books acquired to 1450. The books will be distributed to returning students (learners other than those in examination classes) and those entering into the new curriculum being introduced this year (2025) at the beginning of the first term to position the learners for the start of the calendar year.

Activities undertaken:

• Procurement of 500 exercise books (192 pages) - completed in August 2024
• Procurement of 950 exercise books (192 pages) - completed in December 2024
• Mapping and Identification of beneficiaries (schools and learners) in vulnerable communities

Pending activities:

• Distribution of books – to be completed between 20^th and 24^th January 2025

Outcome and Impact

• A total number of 190 learners (primary and secondary) will benefit directly from the donations received. Creating a total of 290 beneficiaries from the total donations.

Conclusion

The Donate A Book to A Zambia Child (Donate A Book Campaign) by Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) has successfully received the $600 to achieve the intended target of $1,000, enabling the procurement of 950 exercise books for 190 vulnerable learners. The project will benefit about 290 learners. This effort is crucial in fostering a love for learning and ensuring that these children remain in school. The distribution of the books positions learners and families for this 2025 academic year. ZOCS continues to support underprivileged children and calls for further contributions to fully meet the educational needs of these students.