Volunteer as a Storyteller in Malawi

Spend two glorious, rewarding weeks spreading the written word throughout schools in Malawi! The Book Bus provides a mobile service and actively promotes literacy to underprivileged communities in Malawi. Using the spoken word, artwork, puppet-making and a host of other media, you will attempt to bring to life the worlds within storybooks to young school children. In a nutshell, your role will consist of telling or reading a story - or listening to the children read - and then helping them interpret that story in varied, creative ways. This may include puppets, painting or plays and children are not expected to be formally taught... so the magic is all up to you! About Malawi Malawi is the thirteenth poorest country in the world with an average literacy rate of just 63%. When the Book Bus outreach team visited the country's schools in 2010 the requests for books were overwhelming. Currently, available resources in Malawian schools average less than 1 textbook per student. This is your chance to make a real difference! About the Project: The Book Bus will work with schools in the Shire Valley and Blantyre areas of Malawi. Each school will have a designated "Book Bus Day" when volunteers like yourself spend the day at the school to provide resources, energy and inspiration to encourage the children to read. The Book Bus spends each weekday at a different community school. The program of activities is led by the Volunteer Crew members and might include story-telling, one-to-one help with reading, music, arts and crafts, structured play, drama, puppet shows and sports. The project also donates books and shows the teachers how to set up and run a Reading Club. The Book Bus revisits each school several times over a month to provide support and monitor each school's progress. Another important Book Bus benefit is that because English is the language of secondary school education in Malawi, the primary school children can practice speaking English so that they can progress to secondary level education more smoothly! About the Crew The Book Bus can't operate without a crew - it's their support that keeps the wheels turning! The crew travelling with the Book Bus includes the Book Bus Leader, a driver and up to sixteen Volunteer Crew members. Occasionally we'll be joined by special guests, who might include local storytellers and artists, well known UK children's authors, or even a film crew! You can sign up as a Volunteer Book Bus Crew member for anything from two weeks to two months Downtime The crew generally relaxes in the evenings. Sometimes an open evening will be hosted for the adults in the community to learn more about the Book Bus. Occasionally our hosts invite us to a local event. The weekends are your own - get away from it all, relax, or see something of Malawi's beautiful countryside. Activities are often organized as a group. What makes a good crew member? You do not need any teaching experience to join as a volunteer but the Book Bus does require you have enthusiasm and a desire to get involved. Some measure of artistic and/or musical talent (or at least a willingness to have a go!) will stand you in good stead, and if you are shy in company, be prepared to shed at least some of your inhibitions! The Book Bus crew members all share a positive outlook, the enjoyment of being part of a team and a real desire to make a difference.