About Us

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE LEARNING

Founded in 2003, Books for Zambia supports the Helen Kaunda Memorial Library in Luanshya, Zambia to facilitate a safe and free learning environment for local students.

Accelerating Digital Equity in Zambia

OUR STORY

Housed in Luanshya’s Helen Kaunda Memorial Library, the Luanshya Information and Learning Center (LINC) is the creation of Theresa Lungu, who has supported the library with books and other amenities since 2003. Launched in June 2023, LINC was made possible, in part, by a Grant from the Ella Lyman Cabot Trust of Boston, Massachusetts, who believed in and validated Theresa’s vision to establish a digital learning and information center in a free and supportive environment to enable everyone in the community to achieve optimal use of information and services to advance their education and economic outcomes as well as acquire the needed knowledge to reduce ignorance and superstition that contributes to risk factors affecting youth. Theresa was born and raised in Luanshya and has been a member of Luanshya Library since first grade. LINC is dedicated to her late parents, Theresa and Stephen Lungu, who despite their limited education, championed education for All.

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VISION STATEMENT

i. Accelerate digital equity by providing free computer access and public wi-fi to the community of Luanshya. ii. Use community expertise to offer free classes on a range of topics including but not limited to job seeking skills: online applications and resume preparation. iii. Promote the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of a learning society, encouraging its members to work with educators, government officials, and organizations in coalitions to provide lifelong learning services to all. iv. Encompass a collaborative learning environment that will adapt to the changing needs of the community. v. Ensure that all information resources that are provided directly or indirectly by the library, regardless of technology, format, or methods of delivery, should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users. vi. Provide early childhood literacy programing.

ADVISORY BOARD

Veronica Mubanga

Luanshya District Education Board Secretary

A Collaboration with the district Education Office is essential to ensure that the Center is creating and implementing programs that align with MOE goals.

Oscar Mubila

Board member

Oscar is a University of Zambia graduate and a veteran teacher of English, Literature and Drama at Baobab College in Lusaka where he is also the Examinations Officer as well as the head of Boys’ hostel. In addition, Oscar has held positions as Head of the Creatives Faculty as well as Head of House. He also coaches under 16 and 19 girls football teams. In his spare time, Oscar enjoys Yoga and Tai Chi. He brings his passion for writing and youth mentorship to the Center.

Margaret Evans

Board Member

Margaret Evans landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986 by way of Australia. From an early age, she loved to tell stories, then did so as a journalist for ABC Radio and 60 Minutes in Australia. In the USA, Margaret has forged a multi-faceted communications career—from The Boston Globe to Massachusetts Special Olympics, from Monitor Radio to WBUR, MIT, and GBH. She also founded the customized audio business, AudioPortraits©.

Connie Mutama

Board Member

Accountant, Event Planner and Resident Magic Maker. Connie brings her love of organization and youth mentorship skills to the Center.

Staff

Theresa Lungu

Theresa Lungu

Executive Director | Novelist | Social Entrepreneur | Cultural & Language Consultant | Minimalist

Theresa Lungu is the founder of Books for Zambia,  and the author of novels: Twilight in the Morning Torment of an Angel; and a contributing Editor to Children and AIDS: Sub-Saharan Africa.

A graduate of Boston College and recipient of the Dean’s Award for Creative Writing, Theresa founded the Books for Zambia Project in 2003 in aid of Luanshya library to create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative community. 

She is thrilled to be leading the Luanshya Information and Learning Center Project.

Mutukanji Mwape

Chief Librarian and Center Administrator

Armed with a BA in Library and Information Studies from the University of Zambia, Mutukanji is committed to modernizing Helen Kaunda Library starting with digitization in 2024.
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Mwape Mwape

Early Childhood Learning Specialist

Mwape, a youth volunteer teacher, creatively engages learners both in local languages and English. Catch him in one of his sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

Luyando Malawo

Lungu Family Internship Fund Manager

Uk based, Zambian born, Luyando Malawo, is an Assistant Vice President for Product Ownership at Barclays Bank. She has a track record of community work as a Mental Health Activist which has led to many speaking engagements and features in widely acclaimed publications such as Cosmopolitan Magazine. Luyando believes everyone deserves the opportunity, financial independence and security having a job brings, and is delighted to manage the internship scholarship fund. She aspires to help build skilled individuals through the internship program to ensure their career prospects improve and in turn help Luanshya’s community and businesses thrive!

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Advocate for Your Community

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          Founded in 2003 in aid of the Luanshya Library in Zambia, to create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape new ideas and perspectives.

Get in touch

C/O Luanshya Library, H. Figov Road, Copperbelt, Luanshya, Zambia.

Support

Support us to stay accessible, engaging and viable to all.
Building Restoration will include accessible restrooms and entrances. As well as solar generated electricity. 

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