Zambia

Disease and Lack of Resources Thwart Development

Since gaining independence in 1964, Zambia’s breadth of natural resources (copper and fresh water) has enabled economic growth. Despite this trend, 60 percent of the population still lives in under-resourced communities, as new wealth distributes unevenly between the urban and rural. Zambia’s development has been slowed by limited investment capital, a legacy of authoritarian leadership, poor infrastructure, corruption and disease. Almost 13 percent of the population ages 15 to 49 have HIV, and more than 20 percent of Zambian children have lost one or both parents to the illness. Many others suffer from malaria.

Our Work in Zambia

Room to Read Zambia was founded in 2007, and we maintain deep relationships with the Zambian government and its partners, including UNICEF. We have been recognized for our technical competencies and ability to build teacher capacity. As a result, we have been invited to help revise the national curriculum. Between 2012 and 2014, we supported partnerships with the Ministry of General Education and UNICEF to host the National Literacy Symposia, the only of its kind in Zambia. This event enabled the government to work with non-profits to revise and update the National Literacy Framework.

Room to Read works across Lusaka, Eastern and Southern Province.