200 children. 1 teacher. The odds are stacked against them.
Lonjezo, who was born into a poor family in Malawi, goes to school hoping for a brighter future through education, but that’s not what he's getting.
For a child like Lonjezo, learning to read, write and count isn’t just important. It’s his best chance of a brighter future. But it’s impossible for a teacher to teach, or a child to learn. Children are forced to leave school without having had a chance to learn to read, write or count – essential skills if they’re to escape a life of poverty.
It’s not right. But with your help, it CAN change.
Will you be part of the change you want to see, and help a child like Lonjezo learn to read, write and count?
“I hope that in the future, when Lonjezo finishes school, he will be independent, and he will be able to help himself.”
Lonjezo is 12 years old and has a learning disability. He lives with his mother, father, grandmother and five siblings in a home with no running water or electricity. He desperately hoped that going to school would give him a better life. But his classroom has 200 children and only one teacher.
Being one of so many children, Lonjezo couldn't get the support he needed. He couldn't even hear his teacher. It was impossible for him to learn, so he spent year after year in the same class, unable to get the essential skills he needed.
But he never gave up hope.
Lonjezo joined VSO's learning sessions. During these focused sessions, an expert VSO volunteer helps the children learn using an educational tablet in a calm, quiet environment. Away from the crowded classroom, there was the calm he needed to focus. With headphones on, he could hear. If he needed help, he could put his hand up and a teacher is there to help.
In a matter of months, with VSO's help, Lonjezo has learnt to read, write and count, passed his end-of-year exam, and has moved up to the next class.
Lonjezo is one of many children facing a lifetime of poverty without education. It's not right. But it CAN change.
Please will you help a child like Lonjezo learn to read, write and count?
Give the gift of a life-changing
Without education, children born in poverty can’t build better futures for themselves. But the conditions in Malawi’s schools are so poor that many children never learn to read, write, or count.
It’s not right. It’s not fair. But it CAN change.
Donate to VSO and you could help achieve lasting change. You could equip a child with three essential skills for life now and in the future. You’ll help them learn to read, write and count at a VSO learning centre with an expert VSO volunteer by their side to provide help and support.
In only a short space of time, children are transformed into fluent readers. They can write paragraphs, count confidently, and perform at an advanced level for their age in maths. Most importantly, they’re motivated to continue in education and go back into the classroom ready to learn more.
Help a child learn to read, write and count, and you’ll set them on the path to a brighter future. Please give the gift of an education.
Here is how every £1 is spent
We value every gift that you give, and will always put it straight to work as quickly as we can. In 2023-24, 85p of every £1 you gave went directly towards tackling poverty worldwide.15p was spent on the day-to-day running of the charity and raising the next £1 so that we can help even more people this year.
Our promise to you
It's important to us that you feel completely confident and comfortable in supporting VSO. As part of our promise to you:
- We will always treat your personal information with the strictest confidence.
- We will be transparent with how your donations are spent.
- We will always be in control of your support