Apologies for the delay, at long last I’ve had the opportunity (and, perhaps more importantly, the inspiration) to write another update on life here in Malawi. For ‘regular viewers’ out there, this will probably be my last post whilst on this trip, though whether or not it also constitutes the last ever remains to be decided.

Nonetheless, it may be the end of the chapter, but it’s not the end of the book. 3 months have come and gone. Our time as a team in Malawi is rapidly drawing to a close. I’ve already spoken about legacy, so I don’t want to dwell on that too much. Yet, I also mentioned previously about the beginnings of an idea, one that will hopefully translate into reality once I’m back home – it is this that I want now to discuss. 

Education is the backbone of development in Malawi. Nevertheless, many Malawian children are unable to fully pursue their education and fulfil their academic potential. The principal obstacle is cost. Although primary education is free, secondary education remains subject to tuition fees, which immediately exclude learners whose families are unable to financially support their studies.

Hardest hit are orphans. Already victims of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and stigmatised by society, their extended families struggle to meet even their most basic needs, let alone pay for their schooling. Even at primary level, their progress lags behind the other pupils; orphans can represent up to 20% of a school’s intake, but only a third of them will pass their final exams (as opposed to the 50% pass rate of other learners) and hardly any of them will be selected for secondary school (let alone be able to afford it).

These orphans, who have the potential, but not the opportunity, to attend and succeed at secondary school, are the ones whom I wish to target. In essence, I seek to set up a funding mechanism that will enable them to obtain a secondary education and thus break out of their impoverished circumstances. Such an education significantly enhances their prospects, opening up the possibility of university and also a diverse range of career paths; options that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Just £100 would cover one pupil’s tuition fees for the entirety of their secondary education.

Now, some of you reading may be worried that I’m about to make an impassioned plea for your money, akin to Comic Relief or Band Aid. Not so. I write about this venture simply to share a personal conviction and to raise awareness of a forgotten plight. If people want to support this venture then fine, but I do not want to force or guilt trip anyone into doing so. I merely wish to reiterate a point made months ago, about the ripple effect: one small act for good can have huge repercussions, far beyond our wildest dreams. In our families, in our society, in our world - what ripples will YOU make?