Africa A to Z is a distance learning program that is working with two elementary schools in the Denver metro area to introduce students to the continent of Africa, especially the country of Zambia. Classes will receive weekly letters from me, directly from the African bush. These letters will encompass details about life in Africa such as food, traveling, cultures, languages, wildlife and just normal day to day life in Africa. Students will also be given weekly assignments from me that will challenge their writing, language and geography skills. Through email, the students will be asked to send me their questions and comments about Zambia. This interaction will reinforce the students' imagination, enhance self exploration and encourage them to learn as much as they can about Africa.

Once I am back in Denver, I visit the classes to discuss the “journey” we have all taken together over the past few months. Through the use photos, videos, maps and class discussions we are able to continue the journey through Zambia and the continent of Africa without leaving the classroom.

Why Zambia? I, Molly Maloy, the program's creator, live in Denver, Colorado but first went to Zambia in 2005 and fell in love with the country. I lived there for a year and met my husband Pete who is a professional safari guide. The two of us live in Zambia for 3-4 months out of every year and share our love for Zambia, especially its wildlife, with visitors from all over the world. I have been working in the field of education for almost 12 years and felt the need to share my experiences in Zambia with children. So for fun, I began emailing letters to a kindergarten class at Good Shepherd School in Denver. For 2 months, the class and I would “talk” via email. I would email the students stories about the wildlife, the people and what it was like for me to live in Africa. In return, the students would email (via an adult) their questions for me. Once back state side, I made visits to the kindergarten class to extend their lessons about Africa. These visits also gave the children another opportunity to ask their questions about life in Africa. Thanks to the help of Ms. Tate, the kindergarten teacher and Africa A to Z, these 4 and 5 year olds now know about Zambia, Africa and how when you live in Africa, you often have to share your shower with a frog!