Thanks Mulenga! Can anyone tell me the age classification of the kids who will be attending this social center? I assume that it is young toddlers to late teens, but I am unsure. Thanks!

Hello Sophie,

Yes you are right with the age of the Children who come to our centre.It is from 4 to 25 years old.

Currently the age is concentrated mainly between 10 and 17 years.

Mulenga

Dear Sophie,

I just read your postings. Great you are assisting Mulenga and the kids in Garden. Tip: if you are having the time, please browse back to the beginning of this discussion. There should be a briefing about the ages, kind of books needed etc. Are you appraoching Biblionef in South-Africa or somewhere else?

To the other Neighbours: if I remember correctly someone was in touch with Biblionef already, or am I wrong?

Good luck!!!

Gerdie

I'm loving the positive feedback! I have read previous posts but the only mention of Biblionef I saw was one in Netehrlands. I do not think anybody managed to contact or get them onboard. Thanks!

Hi again, I made contact with Biblionef South Africa several months ago and they indicated that they don't send books to Zambia. The lead ended there unfortunately.
Carolyn

Hi Everybody,
I was wondering if there was a way to take me off the position of taskowner. I did not really know what I was getting into. I am still eager to be apart of this project, but not be tastowner because I am leaving to Guateloupe very soon, to volounteer, mostly in contruction and community work! Thank you for your undetstanding.
Sophie

Hi Sophie,

It so sad to learn that you will no longer be the task-owner due to the amount of work involved and your other personnal commitments.We are however very grateful for the input we have received from you and it is our hope you will continue making these valid contributions.

Now that Sophie has withdrawn from being the taskowner,is there any other neighbour interested in taking it up?

Mulenga

Dear All

Here are some informations for getting free books

Biblionef Organisation.

This organisation collects new books for children and adolescents from publishers' overstock. They distribute materials to Central and Eastern Europe, and countries in Asia and Africa. BIBLIONEF sends recipients a list of materials each month from which they can select the resources they need. Recipients are asked to contribute to the cost of maintaining the programme and are responsible for paying the shipping costs.

Fields of activity:
Youth services, Child care, Education and training

Goods categories:
Books or audio visual

This has several branches.

Application can be sent to any of the following branch-

1a)Biblionef contact details-

E-mail: info@hdn.co.za

1b)Biblionef contact details-

Biblionef South Africa

E-mail: bibsa@iafrica.com

1c)Biblionef Contact Details-
E-mail address: biblionef@kb.nl

Website: www.biblionef.nl

2)Kabissa

Kabissa provides African civil society organisations with internet services, offers education and support to allow them to take advantage of the internet, and encourages them to share and learn from each other. Kabissa also collects and sends new and used textbooks, reading books, and supplies to students in South Africa.

Fields of activity:
Education and training, Information technology services

Goods categories:
Books or audio visual
http://www.kabissa.org/

Email: info@kabissa.org
3)http://www.booksabroad.org.uk/
No details of application procedures. Contact via form on the website

Best regards,
Sushmita,
India

Hi!

Thanks for your contribution Sushmita. Who would be able to follow this up? It seems that these are good leads and would move the project forwards.

Thanks guys,

Hi everyone- Mulenga has recently heard back from Books for International Goodwill (BIG) and they have indicated that they have found a cheaper way to freight books to Zambia. Mary Monterey submitted the original application to them
(I think!) One box will cost USD50 to get to Zambia. At this stage YOSOFO can pay for one box but we're looking to pay for at least a few more to make it worth everyone's while. The Library is still in need of more books.
We need to raise at least $150 in the next month or so, so that we can pay for 4 boxes of books to be shipped to Garden. Alternatively, we can wait till the internet cafe is up and running and use some of the "profits' from this to help fund the shipping costs. This however will take some time. If anyone has any bright ideas, or ways to raise this small amount of money- please let us know.
Best regards
Carolyn

Carolyn,

Thank you very much for the mail you have sent to BIG Books.The children are busy working out the type of books we will need.

Good news,Yofoso has been picked to promote a reading culture in AKS network.This network has 24 organisations who work with children at risk in Lusaka.The children from our centre have been planning this programme.This is an honor and motivation for the children as they now see they effort they are putting in running Yofoso is now being rewarded.

We have also started to fundraise for another $50 for shipment of another box of books as our culture and drama group will be holding two performances this August.

Regards,

Mulenga

Hi all,
Congratulations Mulenga,
You are a inspiration for us all. Thank you Carolyn, the reduced shipping cost makes it all a lot more feasible. Did BIG indicate how they collect the funds, do they have local branches who can collect the money.

I'm happy for my company Opinionmeter to match any donation up to the total amount of $200 US.
Can I ask all neighbours to put a little fundraiser together? Maybe a garage sale,bake sale, be creative.
This should be within the next three weeks, and it would be very stimulating if you tell us about your initiative.

Thanks in advance,

Hi again,
The gentleman who coordinates B.I.G has advised that he will be on leave all of August. therefore Mulenga has decided that it is best to wait till early September to make contribution for the shipment of books. This will give YOSOFO enough time to raise some funds, and it will give us all some time as well. So deadline for raising funds is last week of August :-)

B.I.G responded to an email from me stating that:
"Yes we will cover 50% of the shipping cost. By using a service run by Pitney Bowes, we can do boxes for about $60 versys the $120-150 by the postal service."
B.I.G is willing to cover costs for a maximum of 8 boxes of books.
It's an achievable goal- and it would be great to get another batch of books into the Library.

It seems that B.I.G collects funds for shipping costs and to supoprt the book wharehouse from regular book sales of second hand books, and from contributions from individuals and some local corporate sponsors.
Regards
Carolyn

Hello All,

Firstly,it is a big welcome to our assistant facilitator from everyone here in Lusaka.

Many thanks to Carolyn for your effort to contact or is it the follow-up with B.I.G.books.

A question to all of us is how we are going to make the payment for the books.It will be of great help if we can have someone to make this payment.And because of the number of activities we are currently undertaking is it alright for me to send our ,Yofoso,first $50 to this person as it maybe difficult for us to keep this money until the payment is made due to other demanding areas.

Please we want to hear what other neighbours say,for the more suggestions we have the wiser we become and the better will be the final decision.

Mulenga

Hi everyone- sorry I have been quiet lately.
Mulenga- I am happy to recieve the first $50 and keep it till early September. We can arrange a transfer via email if you agree to this.
I will also donate a further USD$50 - so that makes at least 2 boxes from B.I.G. Are we likely to have any more money for other fund raising initiatives from the children in Garden?
We have about 4 weeks to go!
regards
Carolyn