iAccelerate’s resident social enterprise Aussie Books for Zim have just reached a major milestone in their bid to promote education and improve literacy in the remote rural communities of Zimbabwe.
30,000 books – 12 tonnes of educational material to children – has just landed in Zimbabwe, destined for not one but six disadvantaged schools that currently don’t have books or libraries.
Two years ago, Alfred Chidembo placed one of many large boxes in the (then) iAccelerate Hub, with the goal of collecting 2,000 pre-loved books to gift to the children of Mavhurazi Primary School in Zimbabwe – a school Alfred had attended as a child.
Alfred had no idea that, fast-forward a couple of years, he would have collected tens of thousands of books, appeared on the TV news and in newspapers, have formed a strong team and a registered his organization as a charity, and that he would be a proud member of the iAccelerate program.
The social enterprise involves collecting new and gently used books, stationery and sports equipment to be shipped and divided among rural schools in Zimbabwe, as well as setting up libraries for pupils attending the schools.
Aussie Books for Zim recently reached a huge milestone, when they sent their first shipping container of books to Zimbabwe, more than 30,000 books, destined for not one but six disadvantaged schools that currently don’t have books or libraries.
After being on the high seas, the books will now be distributed to the schools in April and Alfred will personally travel to Zimbabwe to ensure a smooth delivery.
“We’d like to thank all the iAccelerate residents who raised up their hands to assist with our efforts, and shared brilliant and inspiring ideas over countless coffees,” Alfred said.