2025-08-11 The Education Challenge
At a little past six o'clock this evening, as we arrived at Home of Hope, Malawi, the tropical sun had already slipped swiftly behind the Mchinji Mountains. In the cooling dusk, we found children and mothers waiting outside to greet us. They sang songs of welcome in Chichewa; we shared a few words, we prayed. Most of all, we were happy — happy to be back in a place we’ve come to love, among people who embody what it means to love life and live joyfully despite disadvantage and difficulty.
Before we travelled from England, some of our group shared what they were looking forward to:
“Renewing friendships and seeing wonderful people at Home of Hope responding to challenges with resilience and positivity.” – Gillian
“Revisiting the warm heart of Africa, returning this time with more insight and knowledge of the people, their passions, and their needs — which I hope will support me when working alongside the school teachers and sharing time with the wonderful children.” – Helen
“Spending time with my brothers and sisters at Home of Hope again, strengthening the precious friendships we’ve built and deepening the partnership between Malawi Orphan Fund and Home of Hope. I’m especially excited to meet the students who’ve worked so hard and gained places at university — it will be a joy to celebrate their achievements in person.” – Ruth
“So, so exciting to be travelling to Home of Hope with my beautiful wife and best friends in the UK, to link up again with our amazing brothers and sisters in the mission who care for and love the young people. A wonderful opportunity to pray, discuss, and wrestle with challenges, and give thanks for successes over the last year. What an opportunity, what a Saviour guiding and protecting us. And, of course, a chance to wear the adventure hat again!” – Phil
With these hopes in mind, we set off yesterday from a bustling Gatwick Airport, where new scanners that let you leave liquids and laptops inside your bags were a welcome improvement at security.
On the Journey
Travel is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people. On our flight, a Brazilian mother and daughter told us about a large refugee camp in Malawi. Although Malawi is poor, it has become a peaceful haven for those fleeing war to the north. Liliane, the mother, is a researcher and clinical neuropsychologist focused on neuro-rehabilitation, leading research on how best to treat the camp’s traumatised inhabitants. She wants her daughter to see and understand these difficult realities.
They, along with others we met - a business financier from Lusaka, a teacher from Botswana, an African gem trader from Pakistan (via Thailand) - all had the same question:
“Why do people outside Africa still believe nothing is happening here? Why don’t they see the transformation that’s going on?”
A Complex Story
It’s easy to tell a sob-story - the “Africa needs aid” story. But the truth is more complicated.
“That bridge wasn’t here last year! Or that one!” says Phil, who works in construction and notices new concrete. Along the road from Lilongwe International Airport, we see stretches lit by large solar towers, steel gantries ready for electronic signage, and traffic lights with countdown timers. The current Malawian administration is clearly working hard to build infrastructure that can support growth.
And yet, as we leave the city and enter rural Malawi, Ruth points out pile after pile of freshly burnt mud bricks. This is now illegal in a deforested country that cannot afford to lose topsoil or burn more trees. But cement blocks are too expensive for many in Malawi — a country still ranked among the world’s poorest. It’s tempting to despair. “It’s too difficult!” one might think. But that mindset risks leaving the future to mineral and agricultural exploiters alone.
The Education Challenge
Why might one despair? According to Cross Catholic Outreach, 84% of Malawian students leave school after primary level [where education is free] and only 8% complete secondary school. Poverty means many children are expected to help support their households, and once they leave, few return.
Enter Home of Hope! Home of Hope is a life-chance-transforming education village. It’s producing literate, numerate, entrepreneurial, environmentally-aware young adults, university- and trade-ready, who can help their nation transition from agricultural vulnerability to a thriving, self-sustaining state.
It will be Malawians who build Malawi. Alongside the leadership of Home of Hope, we believe this all-through school and Technical College is raising the future leaders, employers, and skilled workers the country needs.
We’re here to support the dedicated teams making this possible. We aim to return with fresh stories of success and insights into needs — stories that will inspire ongoing and new investment in this vital work. (Find out how you can help here.)
As we head for bed, a brisk wind stirs outside. Crickets sing in the grass and trees. Somewhere in the hills, hyenas call. And as the night sounds of Malawi surround us, we're reminded why we’re here — to listen, to learn, and to help build a future full of hope.
Alex
It's great to know you've arrived safely and full of exciting plans and hope. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Nadine
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteIt was fantastic getting to know this beautiful team of incredible people! Out of our great chats, you brought joy and hope to our journey. I cannot wait to see everything you will be doing in the next 15 days and to meet you all back in the UK!
ReplyDeleteWe all so enjoyed meeting you both, too. Thank you for sharing your blog! https://analialemmar.wixsite.com/15-days-in-malawi/post/our-daily-routine
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