Althaeá’s books bring smiles and hope

31 Dec

Written By Editor

Three years ago, Althaeá Dickinson from York learned that children in rural in South Africa were not participating in World Book Day because they did not have books.

Believing strongly that World Book Day should be for ALL the children of the world the then 8-year-old decided to act and do something about this and became the Bambisanani Partnership’s youngest volunteer collecting 1,091 books for South African children. She went on to aquire a further 1,164 books in 2025 and has this year collected 1,610 books which have recently been delivered to some of the most deprived schools and children in rural KwaZulu-Natal by Bambisanani teams from St. Mary’s School, Menston and Newcastle College who promote literacy during their visits. Recipients of books included Ntolwane Primary School, Vumanhlamvu Primary School, Ngqamzana Primary School, Mnyakanya Secondary School and the Zulufadder’s Doremi Crèche and Daycare Centre. Rural KwaZulu-Natal faces huge challenges in terms of adult and child illiteracy and its extensive negative implications. Lack of resources in some schools remains a key issue. Althaeá has now provided 3,865 books which are all helping in a small but significant way to improve the life chances of the children involved.

William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu Primary School said, “We have received books from Althaeá for three years now and they have made a huge contribution to education in my school improving reading, writing and listening skills. This builds confidence and helps learners across the curriculum. My learners are amazed that someone so young can organise these books from the UK; Althaeá inspires and empowers them because they know that a young person like them can bring about change and do things for others.”

Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s School commented, “It is difficult to express how important and how valued these books are – we see children so excited by the books that they hug them like teddy bears and ask if they can keep them. Althaeá wites messages in the books which further connects this fantastic project.”

Brogan O’Connor from Newcastle College added “I have seen the impact of these books on both the educators and learners. The children are so keen to learn and love the books. Many adults recognise injustices in the world and would like to do something about them …most never do anything. Althaeá just gets on with it – she is amazing!”

A message to Althaeá from Nick Phillips of the Zulufadder Children’s Trust said

“What an extraordinary young lady you are! We in Zulufadder, Eshowe have been blessed to receive children's books from you in 2024, 2025 and 2026 that have been allocated to our rural creche in uMlalazi that is managed by the equally extraordinary Popi Buthelezi. You have quite rightly identified that possibly the greatest contributor to learning in young people is exposure to books. Especially books that encourage and stimulate the imagination. It is really hard for our rural children to imagine that there is a better life out there if they aim for it, as they know little else but poverty and, certainly, they could never imagine going into a book shop to buy a colourful book. So, you have achieved a number of special things. Happiness and escape into the many stories contained in the books. Exposure to people, places and animals that the children have never encountered before. Instilling a sense of hope, excitement and anticipation, that there are opportunities out there if only they persevere. And so Althaeá, I know you are not looking for thanks, but we do so thank you anyway, as we know how hard you have worked to make this project happen, and you can be sure that you have many fans here in Zululand, South Africa, because of it.”

Althaeá raises money to buy books, but most books are donated to her from Book Shops, other organisations and individuals: she would like to thank everyone that has helped her this year especially Catherine Chattoe; Brogan O’Connor; Kate Sayers; Sue Rix, The Grove Bookshop, Ilkley; Kemps Book Shop, Malton; TGJ Jones, Ilkley; Otley Lions; Rotary Club of Aireborough; Saltaire Primary School; the Sisters of Mercy and the parishioners of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher Church in Burley in Wharfedale.

Literacy should not be a luxury of the privileged few it should be an entitlement for all. The Bambisanani Partnership is grateful to Althaeá for reminding us of this and for doing something about it to make the world a better place. The remarkable 10-year-old has already started collecting books for 2027!

If you can support this fantastic project in any way, please contact the Bambisanani Partnership.