Lichfield Spires Netball Club – your donated kit has arrived in Malawi. Thank you so much for helping to make a difference to vulnerable young people.
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Sarah’s blog 19/2/26
Last summer wrote a blog about a huge donation of netball kit that we received from Lichfield Spires Netball Club. I will attach that blog so you can read about how the kit made the first part of the journey to Malawi.
Netball and football are the two national sports and young people very much enjoy playing these team sports. We have had lots of donations of other sports kit. But, apart from some netball bibs, this is the first proper netball kit that has been donated for use by vulnerable children and young adults. We bought some velcro squares with players positions to stick on to the kit. We also bought a couple of netballs and boxed everything up to go to Malawi.
This week, some of the girls at Bright Futures Secondary School tried on their new netball kit. This kit will make such a difference to their confidence levels and self-esteem. They know that people care about them to send such lovely netball kit. They play netball in school and amongst other local schools and at weekends. It is hoped in future that they will be able to join a netball league. Some of the girls are a bit shy as they’ve never worn netball kit before and aren’t used to being the centre of attention.
So to everyone at Lichfield Spires Netball Club – thank you for making a difference to these vulnerable young people. Most of them are orphans living with extended family. To Paul and Stuart who met halfway between us (central Scotland) and Lichfield, thank you for ensuring that this wonderful donation was able to reach us and then to Dundee in time for the container going to Malawi.
We will continue to share more photos and videos from actual netball matches but, for now, thank you again for making a difference and helping us continue Changing Lives (in) Malawi. If you’d like to get in touch, our email address is contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com . Enjoy the photos, follow us on social media, sign up for my blogs and watch out for more photos! Sarah x
Student at Bright Futures Secondary School have written about their favourite subjects. Have a read of today’ blog.
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Sarah’s blog 17/2/26
Here are some great photos of the students at Bright Futures Secondary School. Also, in today’s blog, is writing about BFSS Students’ favourite subjects at school. Thank you to the teacher who organised the photos and the students’ writing. Thank you to the sponsors who support these very vulnerable teenagers to be able to attend secondary school. Because of you, these vulnerable students are having opportunities that they wouldn’t have had. As well as free education, free uniform and stationery, they are receiving a free nutritious lunch each day. For most, this is the only food they eat.
If you’d like to be a sponsor, it’s only £25 per month. You can sponsor as an individual, two friends splitting the cost, a family, a club or a business. Will you make a difference to a young person’s future? Will you help them to have a bright future? contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Thank you to everyone who helps us to continue Changing Lives (in) Malawi. Your kindness is much appreciated. Thanks, Sarah x
Thanks to teachers at Bright Futures Secondary School for organising Sunday sports for students!
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Sarah’s blog 10/2/26
We were delighted to receive these photos and videos yesterday from the deputy head teacher at Bright Futures Secondary School. It was a day of Sunday sports for students and we are grateful to the teachers for organising this event. It looks like everyone had great fun playing football and netball.
Yesterday taught these vulnerable teenagers, who are mostly all orphans living with extended family, that they are important. It shows that people care about them enough to organise events for them. It shows that people care about them enough to send preloved sports kit for them. These young people are enjoying opportunities that they wouldn’t previously have had. As well as having fun with their friends, team sports are good for their confidence and self-esteem. Students at Bright Futures Secondary School are also learning skills and self-discipline.
Everyone also received a nutritious lunch to make the day even more special and to ensure they had enough energy to take part in the team sports. We are thankful for those who support us to send preloved sports kit to those who need it. If these are photos of preloved kit from your club then why not share with your friends and ask them to follow us on social media?
Sports kit (depending on sizes) is shared between primary and secondary schools and grassroots sports teams. Everyone is delighted to receive smart, matching kit. Julian Chenery, whose charity is ‘Wear a Sports Shirt Day’, spends his weekends travelling to various football grounds collecting preloved kit, watching football matches and enjoying the odd pint! We are so pleased that he includes the young people we are helping to support on his list of recipients of the preloved kit he collects.
In these photos kit is being worn from Bromley and Beckenham Hockey Club, Maidstone United Football Club, Borden Village Football Club and Seaton Town Football Club. As you can see, these preloved sports kits have a new lease of life and young people are enjoying wearing them proudly and confidently. Acts of kindness like this make a huge difference. There will be photos in the near future of more sports kit that has arrived on the latest container.
Would you like to help to pay for a box of sports kit to go on the container or would you like to contribute to providing food for a sporting event like this? Please do get in touch contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com or you can donate via our website or QR code. It’s always about teamwork. Thank you for being part of our team, Sarah x
DonorSee is sadly closing for small projects but THANK YOU for supporting us. Here are some geat photos & ways you can continue to support us.
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Sarah’s blog 21/1/26
DonorSee is sadly closing for small projects but Thank you for supporting us. We have received amazing generosity from all the donors who have supported our projects via that platform. We are very grateful for the opportunity we have received to be a partner charity. However, your help is very much still needed. Will you help us to continue to help the most vulnerable in northern Malawi?
In total, over $9,000 USD was raised for projects including; four agribusiness groups for vulnerable people to have a sustainable business. Notebooks and pens were bought for primary school students. One appeal helped support with sending boxes of books to Malawi for our School Literacy Project. Soap was gifted to vulnerable children and elderly people. We also received help with feeding children and elderly people living in extreme poverty. Also, for Bright Futures Secondary School, money was raised to provide tools for agriculture and carpentry, fruit tree and pine tree saplings, wood for building beehives, science equipment, and pigs and goats.
A mother was helped when DonorSee donors paid for a new roof for her single room house. This enabled the family to be dry during the rainy season. They were given some food and this lady was given a place on one of the Agribusiness Groups. We managed to get sponsorship for the four children via an appeal in one of my blogs. They all have food coming into their home each month to supplement their small amount of income.
We always say it is about teamwork. You are all an important part of our team. Whether you have donated money once, or are a regular supporter, or sponsor a young person, or even share our posts on social media. THANK YOU. You are important to us and we appreciate you. DonorSee is sadly closing for small projects but THANK YOU for supporting us.
DonorSee has been a very useful way of raising money for ‘extra’ small projects that have made a big difference to the people who benefitted. For example, students at Chambo Primary School cannot afford to buy themselves notebooks. If they don’t have notebooks to write in, they have to just sit and listen to the teacher. They have to hope that they can remember what they are being taught.
The elderly people wouldn’t have had a Christmas lunch and bars of soap if it wasn’t for the generosity of supporters on DonorSee. We have also been able to provide the funding for various sporting events. Children together from local schools take part in training and tournaments for rugby, football, netball and cricket. At any event like this, we want children to have food and drink so that they have enough energy to take part. Also, to make the day extra special for them. Because of the food crisis in Malawi getting worse, most of these children do not eat every day. They need our continued support. Will you help us please? Together we can ensure they have a brighter future through education and sustainable project.
We will be looking at ways that we can try to raise funds for small stand alone projects like the appeals that have been successful on DonorSee. But, in the meantime, if you would like to make a donation for feeding children, or any other project, you can email me contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com or donate through our website Donate money to Changing Lives Malawi .
We hope you enjoy these photos from some of the small projects. Many thanks again and please continue supporting us. You can sign up to receive my blogs and follow us on social media (facebook & instagram). Thanks, Sarah x
Children at Chambo Primary were delighted to receive notebooks and pensOne of the agribusiness groups working in their maize field. The lady on the right is a young mother and her little boy is playing in the background.One of the goats that has been bought to add to the breeding stock and will help bring in an income as well as teaching students at Bright Futures Secondary School how to care for goats in their agriculture lessons.Students at Bright Futures Secondary School making a beehive with tools and wood bought from donations via DonorSeePractical science classes at Bright Futures Secondary School are far more interesting now that they have more science equipment for experimentsSome of the young people who took part in the rugby training & tournament we helped to facilitate. These are some of the first youngsters in the north of Malawi to learn to play rugby.Everyone loves a football tournament, especially when you receive a nice lunch and a smart football strip! This preloved strip was donated by Riverside Football Club in Stirling, Central Scotland. Four students from Bright Futures Secondary School with some of the tools that were bought thanks to the appeal on DonorSee. We do need to try to raise funds for suitable footwear for the students to use to protect their feet from mud and the sharp tools they are using. Could you help please?One of the agribusiness groups were delighted with the tools, seeds and fertiliser they received.Mrs Ng’ambi and her four children were delighted to have a new roof on their home thanks to the donors who supported this project.Some of the students at Kalanga Primary School with preloved books that were gifted to the school as part of our School Literacy Project. Thank you to those donors who have donated funds to pay for a box of books on the container which is currently £17.50 per box.Vulnerable children enjoying a substantial and nutritious lunchWe need ongoing support to keep running the weekly feeding programme for 500 vulnerable children and young people.Some of the elderly people from the village enjoying their pre-Christmas lunch. We would love to have more funding to run a lunch club for them once a month to help prevent isolation.One of the girls enjoying learning to play rugbyYoung people caring for bananas that they planted as tubers
Thanks to their teachers, students at Bright Futures Secondary School have been growing and selling maize.
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1/1/26
Firstly we would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year! I had to double check that I’d written the date correctly…it’s going to take a few days to remember that it is now 2026! Bright Futures Secondary School students are learning business skills.
Today’s post is a short one but is filled with hope for a brighter future for students. They are all vulnerable, have nothing and are living in extreme poverty. We cannot begin to imagine just how hard life must be, especially with the current food crisis and the heavy rains which have destroyed homes and crops as well as infrastructure.
However, this post shows that, bit by bit, things can change for the better. This is just a tiny drop in the ocean compared to how things need to change and how much money is needed to help this community back on its feet. It is a start and is a small good news story worth sharing at the start of a new year.
Teachers at Bright Futures Secondary School have been supporting students to grow vegetables. The students had planted a field of maize and have just sold half of the fresh maize (corn on the cob) to traders to sell at the market. The students will use the money to buy more seeds and fertiliser to plant more crops. The students are learning business skills for their futures.
This is such a great cross-curricular learning experience. As well as the agricultural skills they have learned during a complete growing cycle, they are learning about business opportunities and working together as a team.
These students will have far more skills for their futures as they become increasingly confident and learn to be entrepreneurs. They live in such a rural location that it is very likely that many of them will be working on the land in some form when they leave school. Having the opportunity of secondary education means that their numeracy and literacy skills will be better and will help them whatever they do for work in future.
Look how happy they are to have achieved and have been trusted by their teachers to be part of this project. Their self-esteem is growing and, hopefully, there will be more good news stories like this to report. Your support is important to ensure these students can continue learning new skills and continue achieving. The end goal is always self-sufficiency but we need you as part of the team to ensure this can happen.
Levison specifically asked me to mention two teachers who have worked hard with the students on this project. Thank you to Mr Kanyimbo and Mr Msukwa for supporting the students in this ongoing project. Your hard work is greatly appreciated and you must be very proud of what your students are achieving.
Thanks for reading and supporting Changing Lives Malawi. If you’d like to support a specific project like this then please do email contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Thanks, Sarah x
The first video shows the maize being driven off to market by the person who purchased it. The second video shows students; Levi, Amos, Hilda and Bernard.
Thankfully, the Christmas lunch for 600 children took place before the devastating rains this week that have affected many parts of Malawi
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Sarah’s blog 31/12/25
As 2025 comes to a close, we thank all those who have helped us to support the most vulnerable in rural Northern Malawi. A few days before Christmas there was a lunch for elderly people and then, delayed because of a local funeral, Christmas lunch for 600 children.
So Christmas Day was even busier than usual for Levison and his team of volunteers, no day off for them. There were hundreds of children in need of food looking forward to their party. Christmas Day was a mammoth task of providing Christmas Lunch for 600 children.
The food crisis in Malawi is impacting the vulnerable children we are helping to support. Most of them are orphans, living with extended family, and all are living in extreme poverty. Some don’t even have enough to eat once a day. The situation is extremely serious.
That’s why even more children than usual turned up on Christmas Day, knowing they would be given a substantial and nutritious meal. Some children are walking miles for this free food. Some are carrying younger siblings.
Preparing food, cooking and serving 600 meals is exhausting and backbreaking work…and must seem endless. We are so grateful for the volunteers, without whom none of the children would be fed. We can only afford to run the feeding programme once a week and there are no big charities feeding children in schools this far north. Thank you so much to the donors who donated funds to pay for the food for this year’s Christmas lunch for 600 children.
Whilst we are helping support sustainable projects like planting fruit tree saplings, beehive making and rearing chickens, unfortunately, these children also need our help now. So it is a juggling act, we need to support their future but they won’t have a future without nutrition now.
We are hoping people will understand the great need from reading my blogs and looking at the photos and videos. Prices continue to rise and food is scarce. Donate money to Changing Lives Malawi
We would really appreciate if people could contribute £5 or £10 per month to ensure the feeding programme can continue to feeding increased numbers of hungry and malnourished children once a week. We would love to be able to send an extra £200 per month for the feeding programme to cover extra food costs. Can you spare £5 or £10 per month? Can your friends and family help us too? Contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com for our charity bank details.
Why not organise a 100 square competition or a weekly bonus ball competition with the proceeds going to our feeding programme? Or what about a football scratch card? There are many ways you could get involved even if you don’t think you have much time to spare.
We hope you enjoy looking at all these photos and videos from Christmas Day. These children know that they can come and will not be turned away. It is their safe place where they can play with their friends and fill their empty tummies. They don’t have many highlights in their lives…but this is one of them.
Especially over the Christmas and New Year holiday time, when most of us have far more than we need, will you join our team of supporters for the feeding programme please? contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com for bank details or to donate via our website Donate money to Changing Lives Malawi
Thankfully, the rains hadn’t been too heavy when these two parties took place. However, since then there has been devastation across Malawi. Infrastructure has been washed away, houses damaged, crops washed away etc etc. I will share some photos in a separate post. The people who do the least damage to our planet are always the ones to suffer most.
Enjoy these videos and photos of a happy day for all of these children who are all living in extreme poverty. Thank you again to those who financially supported Christmas Lunch for 600 children. And, of course, to Levison and his team for all their hard work and support for the most vulnerable in their community.
Wishing everyone health and happiness in 2026 and another busy year of Changing Lives (in) Malawi. Come and join us…it’s always about teamwork! Happy New Year and thanks again, Sarah x
Today’s post is going to be a bit of a photo and video dump as yesterday was a very busy day, but also very rewarding, for Levison and team. They held a party for the elderly.
Lots of vulnerable elderly people in the community were invited for Christmas lunch. As you may know, there is a food crisis in Malawi and all of these elderly villagers are living in extreme poverty. They don’t have enough to eat every day.
Thank you so much to the generous people who donated money to ensure this event was able to happen. There was money for a lovely lunch and for bars of soap for each person who attended. We had hoped to be able to give each of them a small food parcel to take home but hadn’t managed to raise enough to do this. Thankfully, the donations received provided for a substantial and nutritious meal. We would love to be able to do more for the elderly on an ongoing basis, maybe a party for the elderly once a month, but obviously this has a financial cost. If you would like to help with this please do get in touch contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
These elderly people were so thankful to be invited to lunch and for being included. The lady with the walking pole in one of the photos with Levison, said to him
“I have been trying to get nice food for Christmas but to no avail. I didn’t know God, through your supporters, has prepared this for me. Only God knows.”
The lady in the red cardigan at the end of one of the tables told Levison
“This is the best meal I have ever had. So some people from far away value me as well? Is it for free or I must pay? I don’t have anything to pay for the food. God should bless them.”
Another lady said;
“Just a word for you my son. God should bless you and those who are supporting you.”
Senior Group Village Headman MweneIbuluma made a speech at the lunch. He said that he and all the villagers appreciate the efforts made by Levison, the Foundation and all the donors to support school attendance for the children. He said he is happy that the development is progressing well. He said;
“Who knew that this man will bring such a life changer to Ibuluma community reaching thousands of souls? Is this not a lesson to us all?”
Levison said some of the women had tears in their eyes as the headman was making his speech. Levison himself messaged me later to share the photos and videos and wanted to pass on his thanks to everyone for their support;
“I personally sincerely thank you so much for this wonderful event. These are the people who are vulnerable and most in need and they have felt joy today.”
As you can see, cooking isn’t straightforward and it is hard work. We are so grateful for those who give up their time to support feeding the vulnerable. This is why we need more cooking pots – they don’t last as long as our pots would last on an electric cooker – and the quantities of food needed are great. Your help would be appreciated. You can give via DonorSee https://donorsee.com/project/29519?share=1 or via our website Donate money and gifts to Changing Lives Malawi or contact me for our charity bank details contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Whilst we can’t change the whole world, we can help this community to have a better and brighter future by giving them a helping hand towards self-sufficiency.
Thank you for supporting Changing Lives Malawi and the projects we help with. Thanks to those who supported a party for the elderly. You are a vital part of our team and we couldn’t do what we do without you. Together we can continue Changing Lives (in) Malawi. With best wishes for a very Happy Christmas, Sarah and the team of volunteers at Changing Lives Malawi x
Thank you to all the clubs and donors for the fantastic preloved football kits. These vulnerable children have a real confidence boost when they wear their new kit.
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Sarah’s blog 26/11/25
Thanks to our supporters, we had funds to get a few schools together for a day of football. Football is one of Malawi’s national sports. Of course, everyone likes a football tournament, whether they are taking part or watching.
As I have mentioned previously, because the children we help to support aren’t eating properly each day, we will not hold a sports event without giving children something to eat and drink. The food shortage in Malawi is getting worse. Feeding children at an event like this makes it even more of a special, exciting day. The young people know they will have enough energy to play competitive sports with their friends. They will also probably sleep better that night with food in their tummies.
Thank you to everyone who donated money to help us feed everyone who took part. Also, a big thank you to those who donate preloved sports kit. This means a great deal to the young people. Previously they either didn’t have matching kit or it was full of holes because it was so old. Preloved sports kit is shared out to various primary schools and grassroots sports teams, as well as being kept for use by the orphans and other vulnerable children who play sport at the weekends.
Some of the people we need to thank for football kit are; Julian Chenery from the charity ‘Wear a Sports Shirt Day’. Julian spends almost every weekend collecting preloved football kit from different clubs and we are very grateful for his tireless work. He has sent a huge amount of preloved football kit to the children we help to support in Malawi. Paul Goodwin, another football enthusiast and collector of football kit who lives locally to me, gave us a few preloved football kits, some of which have been used in this tournament. And, of course, thank you to the clubs and supporters who have donated their preloved kit; Kilsyth Athletic FC, Collingham FC, Little Common FC, Seaton Town FC, Borden Village FC, Seafar Villa FC. I apologise if I have missed anyone…let me know and I will amend my post.
Most of these students have been matched with a sponsor, however a few in S1 are still needing a sponsor to help us support their education.
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Sarah’s post 21/11/25
I’ve been sent these great photos of students and teaching staff at Bright Futures Secondary School. Most of these students have been matched with a sponsor, however a few in s1 are still needing a sponsor to help us support their education.
As Bright Futures Secondary School was funded by our supporters and is a private secondary school, part of the money we receive from sponsors goes towards paying the salaries of the teaching staff. Only primary school education is free in Malawi so sponsors play a vital part in the running of the school.
The more sponsors we get, the more vulnerable teenagers can attend Bright Futures Secondary School and receive a free, quality secondary education. It’s only £25 a month to be a sponsor and you can do this as an individual, a family, friends sharing the cost, a club or a business.
At Bright Futures Secondary School, as well as learning core curriculum subjects in the classroom, students are taking part in practical subjects like carpentry, sewing, animal husbandry and growing crops. These will provide students with skills for their futures.
At BFSS each of these students receives free education, free stationery, free uniform and other clothes, free shoes, soap, toothbrush & toothpaste, a free school bag, free water bottle and a free solar lamp to use at home as it gets dark at 6pm every day year round. None of their homes have electricity so, unless they had a candle, they would be in complete darkness after 6pm each night. By having a lamp these students can do some reading once their chores are completed.
A big part of sponsorship money goes towards school lunches. Each student receives a free substantial and nutritious school lunch each school day. For most, this is their only food each day. As many are orphans living with extended family or from single parent families, everyone is living in extreme poverty. Knowing that this student has been fed a decent meal each day means that, at home, the meagre amount of food that they have is shared amongst the remaining family members. There still might not be enough food to make a meal each day.
How can we expect teenagers to walk to school and back, concentrate on their studies and reach their potential without feeding them? Your support plays a vital part in helping these teenagers to have a better and brighter future. So if you would like to help one of these students, send me a message contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
The first group of photos are of the S1 students, followed by S2, S3 and S4.
In S1 Scholastica, Nellie, Lidwell, Veronica, Tusalyfe, Susan, Ethel, Robert, Brian and John are needing the support of a sponsor.
Thank you so much to all of our sponsors for giving the gift of education. Sarah x
Lusuwiro Msukwa, S1, age 14Veronica Ng’ambi, S1, age 16Tusalifye Nyondo, S1, age 15Esther Kaonga, S1, age 15Myless Ng’ambi, S1, age 16 Susan Kitha, S1, age 16 Robert Kanyika, S1, age 16Ethel Ng’ambi, S1, age 16 Khumbo Nyondo, S1, age 16Brian Nyondo, S1, age 15Lidwell Nyondo, S1, age 16Mitren Nyondo, S1, age 16John Msango, S1, age 16Wakisa Chiona, S1, age 16Nellie Ng’ambi, S1, age 16Kumbukani Nyondo, S1, age 15 Scholastica Banda, S1, age 16Saviour Mnyenyembe, S2, age 15, John Ng’ambi, S2, age 16 Lloyd Ng’ambi, S2, age 16 Philimon Ng’ambi, S2, age 17John Junior Kaonga, S2, age 16Hilda Silwamba, S2, age 17Agness Mnyenyembe, S2, age 16Bernard Ng’ambi, S2, age 16Monica Phiri, S2, 17Ethel Chizumira, S2, age 17Asante Sichali, S3, age 15Mphatso Simwayi, S3, age 17Wongani Kaonga, S3, age 17Brave Nyondo, S3, age 18Aaron Sinyiza, S3, age 17Timothy Kaonga, S3, age 17Leonard Simphosya,, S3, age 17Chancy Mvula, S3, age 17Wongani Mlenga, S3, age 16Phaless Nyondi, S3, age 16Maggie Kabaghe, S3, age 17Martha Mwanyasi, S3, age 17Levi Sichilindi, S4, age 19Agness Nyondo, S4, age 18Mastano Munthali, S4, age 20Gift Mnyenyembe, S4, age 19Amos Simphosya, S4, age 19Pilirani Ng’ambi, S4, age 20Teaching Staff; left to right; Miss V Chilongo, Mr D Msukwa, Miss L Kamwambi, Miss R Thawi, Mr L Silungwe, Miss E Chisenga (HT), Mr P Vitrinyu, Miss F Munthali, Mr E Kanyimbo (DHT), Miss L Mkandawire
There’s been lots to reflect on this week. Please read today’s blog to catch up on what I have been writing about today.
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Sarah’s blog 16/11/25
For a few different reasons, it has been a difficult week. I’m feeling the weight of responsibility heavy on my shoulders with family and with the charity. Here are a few of my ramblings and what I have been reflecting on and thinking about.
Our friend and colleague, Alan Laverock, who organised (with other volunteers) the sending of containers of vital aid to Malawi, sadly passed away this week. I have been thinking about him and reading the tributes and condolences from so many people. Also, I have been reflecting on a life well lived. Alan made a difference. You can read more about Alan here Alan James Laverock: a tribute | Scotland Malawi Partnership
One consequence, and obviously this is of secondary importance, of Alan’s passing is that the Bananabox Trust containers have stopped. Currently, we have no means of sending any boxes to Malawi.
We realise that many people in Malawi are extremely concerned about this and hope that, in time, that someone else may take this on. Medical and dental equipment gets shipped regularly along with shoes, clothes and sports equipment to name but a few.
I am particularly reflecting on our School Literacy Project. Thanks to the support of Alan and his team at Bananabox Trust, we have been able to make a big difference to children’s reading by sending over 100 boxes of books.
The first 17 boxes of books that were donated to Chambo Primary School
Bright Futures Secondary School has benefited from fiction books as well as text books and bibles. Emma’s Rainbow Library (named after the late Emma Buchanan of Balfron whose family helped raise funds for the library) is well stocked. It has floor to ceiling shelves of books for all age groups.
Bright Futures Nursery has been able to give at least two books per child to take home to read and look at the pictures with their families. This is ensuring all those households have access to books of their own and looking at books together is a special everyday activity.
Chambo Primary School and then Kalanga Primary School have benefited from the gift of many boxes of books. Boxes of both factual and fiction books have been sent for different age groups. These schools have hardly any resources and p8 leavers exam pass rates were well below the national average.
Since we, with the help of our supporters, started putting books into these primary schools, the pass rate for primary school leavers certificates has gone up by 19%. This is a huge achievement for these young people. We are so proud of them and proud of the part we and our supporters have made to their literacy levels, reading comprehension and helping young people pass their exams. Without passing these primary school leavers exams, students are not allowed to attend secondary school.
We hope there will be a way to continue sending books (and other boxes of aid) as other primary schools are asking and waiting to be included in The School Literacy Project.
The rains have started in Malawi and some school buildings in Chitipa District have been damaged (thankfully, not ours). Families are also suffering because their homes are so fragile and open to the elements.
A food crisis has been declared for the whole of Malawi. I don’t think any of us realise just how dire the situation is. Prices continue to rise. There is a continued fuel shortage, meaning many goods aren’t available to purchase rurally. Levison has told me that people are suffering more than usual and it will get worse.
I have been thinking about this over the past few days and wondering how we can make a difference and protect the most vulnerable from the worst of this crisis.
What can we do? What can we do differently? There are projects helping to support sustainability in the future, however, these are for the future and people also need help now. All the fruit tree saplings will make a big difference in a few years time, and we will continue planting more, but they won’t help now.
What can we do now? Instead of sending Christmas cards ( or as many Christmas cards as usual) could you make a donation to help us buy food?
Could you organise a coffee morning or event for your friends on our behalf? Or could you organise a bonus ball competition before Christmas?
Could you purchase an alternative gift for the person in your life who has everything? Or an alternative gift for a teacher who doesn’t really need another mug. Let me know if you’d like to help or if you’ve any good ideas contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
Levison had a funeral to attend earlier last week. He took a photo of Bright Futures Campus from near where the funeral was taking place. It’s a great photo. You can see the Mafinga Hills in the background and beyond that is Zambia.
Once there was nothing where these buildings now stand. Now there is Bright Futures Campus with a secondary school, a nursery, a library, offices and a staffroom and accommodation for teaching staff. Vulnerable children know this is their safe place where they can receive support, where they can play. Where there is someone to listen. There are fruit tree saplings growing and crops have been planted….nowhere near enough but it is a start. There is hope for a brighter future.
This has all been achieved with a lot of hard work and determination to ensure that the most vulnerable children have a better and brighter future. They have choices and chances that they wouldn’t previously have had. Thanks to our supporters, we are Changing Lives (in) Malawi. However, there is a great deal more to do. Will you help? Thank you for reading my ramblings. I hope you can feel the love and concern I have for the people we are supporting and how, together we can give them a helping hand until they can have a sustainable future. Thank you, Sarah x
Bright Futures Campus with The Mafinga Hills in the background. Beyond the hills is Zambia.
Celebrating success at Bright Futures Secondary school is becoming a tradition. All students in S3 had passed their national exams at the end of S2 – Junior Certificate of Education. They were given a party on Friday. Other students joined in at lunchtime but the S3 class were given the afternoon off and were free to continue celebrating and having fun.
Knowing that hard work and effort is celebrated at Bright Futures Secondary School helps to motivate the S1 and S2 students as they look forward to having a party to celebrate their success.
None of these young people have enough food at their homes. Most are orphans living with extended family. All are living in extreme poverty and have suffered trauma. None have money for school fees, new clothes or shoes, stationery or school lunches. That is all free at Bright Futures Secondary School, thanks to their sponsors.
So celebrating their achievements is important. Helping them feel valued is important. Raising their self-esteem is important. Nurturing them to be the best they can be is important. Counselling students and listening to them when they are struggling is important. Supporting these students holistically is important.
A student at Bright Futures Secondary School can expect more than just lessons and passing exams. They can expect support. They can expect understanding. They can expect encouragement. They can expect to be listened to. They can expect the best at Bright Futures Secondary School.
That’s why the staff at BFSS are far more than teachers. We are so grateful for the care and understanding they give to these vulnerable students who have been through so much already. These teachers can and do make a difference and their support and encouragement for the students in their care and the ethos of the school will give these vulnerable teenagers a much brighter future. They are positive role models for these students and we are pleased that they want to help students be the best that they can be.
There are still some new students in S1 who are waiting for a sponsor to help us support their education. Could you give the gift of education and help us continue Changing Lives (in) Malawi? contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
Celebrating success at Bright Futures Secondary School is important… and look at these smiles which are wonderful to see. Thank you for reading and supporting our work. We need you as part of the team supporting these vulnerable teenagers. Enjoy the photos and videos, Sarah x
We have some projects on fundraising site DonorSee for Bright Futures Secondary School. You can donate via the link or email us for bank details. https://donorsee.com/project/29095?share=1
Today’s blog looks at the ways in which we are trying to improve hunger and malnutrition in Malawi
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Sarah’s blog 16/10/25
Today is World Food Day – are you hungry? What happens if you are hungry? Do you have food in your cupboards? Are you able to go to the shops? Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to eat every day. We might not be rich, but we have enough to be able to eat at least once every day. This World Food Day – are you hungry?
Many of the children and young people we are helping to support DO NOT have enough to eat. Many DO NOT eat every day. How can we expect them to learn and concentrate at school if they are hungry? if they are malnourished? If they cannot sleep at night because of pains in their tummies? How can we expect them to grow properly if their bodies don’t have enough nutrients? How can we expect them to thrive when their basic needs aren’t being met?
WE NEED YOUR HELP to support a community, living in extreme poverty, in rural northern Malawi, towards sustainability and self-sufficiency. Please do keep reading to see how we are helping and what you can do.
We are sending enough money to run a feeding programme once a week. It’s not enough but all we can afford whilst we are supporting a better and brighter future. We keep trying to get bigger charities involved but, unfortunately, they aren’t working with children that far north. Up to 500 children, some walking miles, some carrying younger siblings, come every week for their one substantial meal of the week. Could you spare £5 or £10 per month to support the weekly feeding programme please? contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
Bright Futures Nursery is for up to 70 vulnerable preschool children who are fed at every session. This is making a big difference to their health. Again, it’s not much, but it is better than nothing. You could make a difference by making a one off donation or gifting a small monthly amount to support this project.
During sporting events, we ensure that everyone taking part receives a substantial meal and drink so they have enough energy to take part and the food and drink is part of the excitement of the day. Would you like to make a donation towards providing food at a sporting event? Which sport would you choose?
Students at Bright Futures Secondary School, which was built for vulnerable teenagers who cannot afford secondary school fees, are matched with a sponsor to help pay for their education which includes having a free school meal each day. For many of the students, this is their only meal each day. Their families can share the small amount of food they have in their homes between the rest of the family, knowing that their teenager has eaten at school. It is still only £25 per month to sponsor a young person. You could sponsor as an individual, a group of friends, a club or a business. We have new students at school waiting to be matched with a sponsor. Could this be you? Younger children, not yet at secondary school, who have a sponsor are given a monthly food parcel which helps to supplement the small amount of food they have at home. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
How about helping with feeding the children & young people at Christmas? We have already had one donation towards this. Would you like to ensure everyone has a great Christmas party with plenty of food? contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com
We have raised funds to plant fruit tree saplings & banana plants on Bright Futures Campus and at Chambo Primary School. These will provide future food and a source of income. However, as there are hundreds of children in need, we need to keep planting more. This is another project you could support with a donation.
Students at Bright Futures Secondary School are growing their own vegetables which they are able to eat as part of their school lunches. However, the vegetables don’t last as part of many meals, and far more need to be planted. We are raising funds to buy polytunnels to extend the growing season and the types of plants that can be grown. Is this a sustainable project you’d like to help with? you could donate via this link or email for bank details. https://donorsee.com/project/29095?share=1
We are supporting vulnerable people to set up Agribusiness Groups. Through hard work, small groups of people are able to grow crops and sell them and reinvest their money into their business. There are three groups already and we would like to set up another two groups. Again, you can give via this link https://donorsee.com/project/27241?share=1 or by emailing for bank details.
Those are eight ways we are working in partnership with the people we are supporting. It’s better than nothing. It’s better than it was. But it is still not enough. With your help, with your £5 or £10 or sponsorship of a young person, we can and will keep Changing Lives (in) Malawi.
So, on World Food Day, are you hungry? What are you having for your dinner? Can you spare a thought and a small amount of money for the hundreds of children living in extreme poverty for whom we are trying to support to have a brighter future? You can make a difference to a child that you don’t know and will never meet by supporting one of our projects. As we are volunteers, you know every penny goes to the projects you support.
This World Food Day, let’s share with those who need our help. Thank you, Sarah x
To sponsor a teenage girl please click here International Day of the Girl Child there are also a few boys waiting for support with their education.
Some of the younger children being fed at the weekly feeding programmeSome of the happy children at a Christmas PartyOne of the agribusiness groups working hard in their fieldChildren waiting in the rain to be fedPlanting bananas at Chambo Primary SchoolStudents at Bright Futures Secondary School planting sweet potato vines as part of their Agriculture lesson, providing them with education, food and skills for life.
