Social Development
Livingstone

Social Development

ALERT was involved in several social development programmes in Livingstone, Zambia. These primarily included Kid’s Clubs to improve basic life skills, and book clubs as part of our ALERT Education Centre initiative. In 2015, the basic life skills course operated ever second week at two schools in Livingstone, Zambia, with over 105 kids attending on average. Our staff were assisted by volunteers who dedicated over 230 hours to the project. Given the success of Kids Club in Livingstone in 2015, the project was expanded to two other projects in Zimbabwe in 2016. 

Similarly, the Book Club programme aimed to improve English literacy skills among Grade 5-7 (age 11-14) children attending rural schools near our project sites through the implementation of a structured reading programme. In 2015, we extended our Book Club to three schools in rural communities around Livingstone, Zambia. The Book Club attracted over 120 children on average per week, and our staff were therefore assisted by project volunteers, who dedicated over 260 hours to the project. Being successful in Livingstone, the Book Club concept was rolled out to other project sites in 2016.

Until 2021, these programs in Livingstone were a great success.  English literacy classes and reading skills enhanced as children need English skills to be able to write entrance examinations and progress in the classroom. Progress of the impact that ALERT volunteers have on classroom performance have been kept and analysed.  At Natebe school there was an increase of 8% in the pass rate making an overall pass rate of 76%.  At Maunga school the pass rate increased by 20% making a 64% pass rate overall.  Seeing and tracking this progress made our efforts worthwhile.