The Problem?
Zambia's Literacy Rates Are In Decline!
Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.
What Is Causing The Decline?
The dual elitist
&
cultural issue!
Our nation lacks modern community library infrastructure, hence restricting access to books to only a privileged few, thereby perpetuating the absence of a national reading culture.
Is it not the ultimate injustice?
The Solution.
The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity and that means finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to these books and letting them read them and share their enthusiasm as a SPELLING BEE!
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And here is how we propose to make The National Spelling Bee happen in Zambia
Each participating school will have an internal competition for different grades, so each grade will compete amongst themselves. If each grade has two or more classes e.g. Class 3A, Class 3B and Class 3C, they will combine and compete amongst themselves.
Each school will choose a date to host their internal competition within a timeframe of set dates. Judges/administrators selected by the HML Foundation will go and observe this process. The winning participants at this stage will proceed to the provincial stage.
You can take part in The National Spelling Bee Zambia in two ways:
1. Through Your Participating Private Schools
2. As an Individual through International Spelling Bee Academy. Hybrid lessons will be hosted by the Genesis Community Hub, in Minestone
Either way, please fill in the application form below and click submit!
Provincial
In each province, the competition will be hosted by one of the participating schools. The host school will be decided upon by the administrative bodies of each school taking part in that particular province. If it cannot be decided, the Spelling Bee organizers will go and inspect all shortlisted schools. From there, a school that has the capacity to host an event of this nature will be selected as the host. If the participating schools do manage to choose a host school, the HML Foundation will still have the responsibility to thoroughly inspect the premises. If the foundation feels that the selected host school does not have the capacity, or is not fit to host the provincial competition, the organizers have the obligation to select another participating school to host.
The host school should be aware that the cost of the provincial competition is theirs. They can choose which specific premises to use within their school based on their own liking, preferably a school hall.
National
The National Stage is the final stage of the competition. It will be held in the Nation's Capital City of Lusaka at Mulungushi Conference Centre’s newly-built Kenneth Kaunda wing, having obtained sponsorship from various entities.
The competition will be televised on national television and various social media platforms.
Suspected malpractice is enough ground for disqualification on an individual level and at school level. The National stage of the competition will be partly virtual for winning participants who cannot make it to Lusaka.
At this stage, all present participating students will be given gift bags as a complimentary package to excite and encourage them to strive high and not give up. As such, all gift bags will include notes of affirmation for the students. Teachers and all guests will also be given something complimentary. All participants (inclusive of those that didn’t make it to the finals) will be given participation certificates.
Margaret Fuller said,
"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader"
About Us
The Henry Morrison Limula [HML] Foundation is literacy advocacy organisation inspiring people to enjoy a lifelong love of reading, learning, art & culture.
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Our Genesis Community Hub space is where people come to explore, discover, play, and thrive.
💎Author Events, 📚The Book Club, 🔥Bonfire Storytelling, 💃🏿🕺🏾Dance Studio
and the 🐝Spelling Bee Competitions.
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Our Vision
TECHNOLOGY + CULTURE
A future where no one is left behind, with universal access to modern technology and cultural exchange. We empower communities by fostering sustainable literacy and encouraging the creative exchange of ideas and talent through innovative, inclusive programs and events
Our Mission
CONNECTIONS + INNOVATION:
To connect people of all ages and backgrounds, fostering continual learning within our communities. As change agents, we drive innovation through STEAM labs, co-working spaces, and after-school programs, empowering positive impact for humanity at Genesis Community Hubs.
Our Values Educating Minds:
We believe in empowering individuals through continual education, fostering knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking for a brighter future.
Changing Lives:
By supporting learning initiatives, we aim to make a lasting impact, transforming lives and creating opportunities for growth and success.
How It Started
Following our initial pilot launch of pop-up libraries in 2017, we have since established new methods and strategies to achieve our marketing / advocacy objectives.
Subsequently, our marketing plans started with the identification of customer needs through the market research where we carried out face to face interviews with parents that brought their children to the reading sessions to establish how the Foundation can satisfy these needs while generating an acceptable level of return.
Where We Are Now.
Financial barriers and digital poverty have caused low income households
to be left behind when it comes to accessing books and technology.
In 2023, we secured our first Genesis Community Hub in a Minestone, Chainama - close to the heart of Lusaka’s Business District. The Hub is easily accessible from all parts of the city.
Since our launch, we have hosted over 60 pop-up libraries, over 180 children with over 90 parents, chaperons and volunteers in attendance in the last twelve months.
With our shelves already heaving with over 3,000 titles from a variety of topics.
Now we need computers and ICT technology to subscribe to a digital open source library for e-books and provide internet access to the community especially job seekers.
Buzzing For The Future Together
We've launched the National Spelling Bee (NSBZ) as a community-driven movement, already partnering with schools and the business sector through a Public-Private Partnership.
By integrating NSBZ into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, we're fostering a shared vision for the future.
The NSBZ contest will help us raise the much needed capital we need to purchase both the technological assets and to maintain our real estate infrastructure.
Bee Our Partner
We’re calling on more partners to join us through sponsorship,
helping us expand our reach and make a greater impact.
Bee-Come A Sponsor!
If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
~ African proverb
Together Let's #GetZambiaReading
Small Call to Action Headline
The Spelling Bee
Growing Zambian literacy levels;
the National Spelling Bee [NSBZ] #GetZambiaReading campaign is
focused on encouraging families to
develop a culture of reading for ages 6 through to 15.
*Terms & Conditions apply:
Private Schools and Individuals from Public Schools Can Enter.
Our Country,
Our Community,
Our Spelling Bee.
The saying if you want to hide anything from an African, hide it in a book is not only an insult but a call-to-action for us to change this narrative once and for all. Reading is the cornerstone of acquiring knowledge.
This knowledge can be packaged in reading materials such as academic or leisure books, online blogs, newsletters and other forms of literature.
The Spelling Bee provides the educational but family fun building-blocks to this narrative.
NSBZ Curriculum
Reading and writing are essential skills that empower individuals to express ideas, share knowledge, and connect with the world. They foster creativity and critical thinking.
Math and science are key to understanding the world around us. They encourage problem-solving, logical reasoning, and innovation, shaping advancements in technology and society.
Art inspires creativity and emotional expression, allowing individuals to communicate ideas visually. It fosters imagination, cultural appreciation, and a deeper understanding of human experience.
Critical thinking promotes careful analysis and objective reasoning. It empowers individuals to evaluate information, make informed decisions, and solve complex problems with clarity.
An Inspirational Role Model
Below is Zaila Avant-garde, first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in almost 100 years. She was 14 years old at the time of winning.
She won the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the word "murraya"
The Power of Words
Spelling bees enhance reading and writing abilities by encouraging participants to learn new words and improve their vocabulary. This builds stronger communication skills and fosters a deeper understanding of language, allowing individuals to better express ideas and connect with others.
Solving the World with Logic
The competition also sharpens problem-solving and logical thinking. Contestants must break down words into phonetic patterns and rules, requiring a logical approach to spelling. This methodical thinking mirrors the skills developed in math and science.
Creativity Meets Critical Thought
Finally, spelling bees promote critical thinking and creativity. Participants must think quickly, evaluate word origins, and apply analytical strategies, nurturing both creativity in language use and the critical analysis needed for success in various disciplines.
What Our Parents are Saying
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
Lungowe Simbotwe
Journalist, Mother and GCH Volunteer
For many, the Genesis Community Hub seems to be the opposite of loneliness. A place to connect and feel a part of something bigger than ourselves. As a Journalist, I believe this is the ideal space for me and my children to connect intellectually and thrive.
Mbaweme, 17 year old A-Level student at Italian School of Lusaka
I’m so excited to get involved! I’ve always loved helping out in my community, and the Genesis Community Hub is the perfect place to make a difference. I’m especially interested in the STEAM labs and programs that encourage creativity and learning. I've enjoyed making a contribution and learning from everyone here!
Timothy, 17, Aspiring ICT entrepreneur
I’ve been looking for a place like this! The tech and innovation focus at the Genesis Community Hub is right up my alley. I’m really into coding and experimenting with new tech, so volunteering here would be an awesome way to give back while learning more about the latest developments. I’d love to help out and share what I know with others too!
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The HML Foundation.
Charity No. 120170000360
