In this series of interviews, The Book Bus celebrates our team working in Zambia to spread the joy of reading. This interview introduces you to Raj Mushili, a driver and reading mentor at The Book Bus.

Raj joined The Book Bus in November 2015. Before that, he worked as a taxi driver and then as a driver for a local catering business. Both jobs allowed Raj to mingle with different people and helped him appreciate the importance of literacy. We had a chat with him and this is what he had to say:

What does your role at The Book Bus involve?

My role at The Book Bus involves providing support to the team, delivering books to
children in schools, libraries, and communities. I also read with children during reading
sessions. Being a parent made me become a reading mentor so as to set an example to
other parents out there.

What’s the most fulfilling thing about you working at the book bus?

Improving children’s lives in our communities through reading. I feel very happy when I go to the communities to be with the children. I feel very happy to be part of a team that is called to improve children’s lives to make sure they know how to read and write.

What has being literate done for you and why would you say reading is important?

Being literate means a lot in my life especially that it has opened a lot of things for me. I now know things that I didn’t know previously. It has made my life easier. I am also able to mentor my children in terms of reading.

Reading helps to improve our thinking and also inspires us when we are feeling bored or down. It also helps to develop our imagination.

How can Zambians celebrate reading and what in your own words is the importance of The Book Bus’ work to the future of Zambia?

Zambians can celebrate reading by working with organisations like The Book Bus which works towards bringing the joy of reading to children.

The Book Bus is improving children’s lives every day through reading and writing. This is very important for the future of Zambia.

What is your favourite quote from a book?

”We all can dance when we find the music that we love” from the book Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreade, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees.

To support Raj and the team’s mission to spread opportunities through reading, please head to our donations page and virtual store.