Empowering the Future: Bridget’s Journey from Volunteer to Literacy Champion

By Agatha Mali, Communications Officer, Zambia.

When World Vision Zambia introduced the Unlock Literacy model in her community, 43-year-old Bridget felt a spark of hope. As a dedicated volunteer, she had seen firsthand the challenges local children faced with basic reading, but she lacked the formal tools to help, until now.

Through the Agriculture, Nutrition, Education, and WASH (ANEW) project, Bridget received specialised training in facilitating community reading camps. This intervention provided her with the tools and confidence to transform literacy into a fun, engaging experience. She mastered the art of "make-and-take" creating simple storybooks from locally available materials and learned to organise group games that turned reading into a joyful activity rather than a chore.

The transformation was gradual but profound. At first, only a few children gathered in a small, makeshift shelter. However, as parents witnessed their children’s growing excitement, attendance surged. Today, these weekly sessions have blossomed into a vibrant, safe space where over 40 children regularly gather to sharpen their skills.

“Before the reading camps, many children in our village could not even recognize letters,” Bridget recalls. “Now, they are reading short stories independently and genuinely love coming to learn.”

Bridget’s impact extends beyond the children. Recognizing that literacy begins at home, she was selected to participate in a Reading Awareness Workshop. This equipped her to bridge the gap between school and the household by teaching caregivers simple, effective ways to support their children’s education.

“I was equipped with the knowledge to show parents how to encourage their children through daily literacy activities,” Bridget says. “It’s about making education a family priority.”

Though the ANEW project cycle has concluded, the seeds Bridget planted continue to grow. The "World Vision effect" is visible in the classroom, where teachers are reporting marked improvements in student performance. What began as one woman’s volunteer effort has matured into a community-led movement that deeply values education.

“World Vision gave me the training, but it is the children who give me the energy,” Bridget says with a smile. “Every time I hear a child read a word correctly, I know lasting change is happening in our village.”