Kansas City, MO (August 21, 2014) Children International youth Francine, age 12, has been selected as an ambassador for the Education Minister of Zambia’s “Let’s Read Zambia!” campaign. The campaign is part of a larger initiative supported by UNICEF and USAID that aims to create a million new readers by 2016.
Low literacy levels in Zambia1 emphasize the need for the “Let’s Read Zambia!” campaign and ambassadors like Francine. Since being selected as an ambassador, Francine has participated in reading programs, promoted literacy in schools and communities, appeared on national television and radio stations campaigning against the dangers of illiteracy, and she has even met with the Zambia Minister of Education, Dr. John Phiri.
Francine recalls being told the news that she had been selected as an ambassador for the campaign. “I was so excited and could not believe it, because I thought it was impossible to be selected for a great and challenging role among all the children in Zambia considering where I come from,” she said. The community where she lives has a reputation of drugs, crime, prostitution, teen pregnancy and early marriage. “It requires one to have a determined mindset to break all these barriers and compete favorably with other children from clean communities and good schools,” Francine added.
Francine encourages children and other youth to read as part of her new role as ambassador for the “Let’s Read Zambia!” campaign.
Francine likes to start her days by spending time in the Children International community center library.
Francine is thankful for the support she has received from her parents, her sponsor and Children International staff members. She is also especially grateful for the Children International community center library, which is stocked with academic textbooks, novels and computers that help young people like Francine enhance their literacy skills.
Francine will serve as an ambassador for the “Let’s Read Zambia!” campaign through the rest of the year.
Learn more about how Children International promotes community literacy.
Learn more about Children International’s work in Zambia.
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For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org.
1 http://www.unicef.org/zambia/education_14210.html
About Children International
Children International prepares children and youth to escape the traps of poverty by supporting their critical needs, building resilience and engaging them in transformative activities. Children International accomplishes this by providing crucial benefits and compassionate care through easily accessible, modern community centers. Children International’s presence, programs and supporters have a positive impact on children, youth, families and communities; provide protection; encourage self-sufficiency; and serve as catalysts for change.
