Schools to get more books

Zimbabwean

21st November 2010

By Mxolisi Ncube

JOHANNESBURG – An American non-governmental organisation says it is shipping more books to Zimbabwe for distribution in poor public schools where large numbers of pupils still have to share a single textbook.

The group known as Project Aspire: Textbooks for Zimbabwe and headed by Zimbabwean-born writer Bob Scott has previously supplied books to Zimbabwe’s schools and said the second shipment of books was expected in the country by the end of the year.

“The books are already on the way and should arrive in Zimbabwe before the end of this year,” said Scott late last week.

“We still have 14 pallets of books in our library, which is about half of another container and we are now waiting to hear from area schools about picking up more books before the end of this year.”
Scott launched Project Aspire last May following after meeting Education Minister David Coltart who asked the writer to help mobilise support for under-funded public schools.
Scott said last week that his organisation, which has been involved in various charity works meant to improve Zimbabwe ’s social services sector, also received “a wonderful donation” of student and teachers desks this month from a local Lutheran school in Kansas City, which he said shall also be brought to Zimbabwean.
Among other generous gestures, Scott’s organisation has also helped raise essential medical drugs for public hospitals that often do not have adequate supplies.