Alex’s trip to Malawi

"One standout moment was watching the children receive their daily meal. For some, this is the only meal they will eat that day. It was at that moment that I knew, with complete clarity, that what we are doing matters. We aren't simply running programmes—we are changing lives for these children and their families."

Running a charity remotely while the beneficiaries MSP supports are over 8,000 miles away in rural Malawi naturally creates a degree of separation. Much of my time is spent in online meetings, writing reports and policies, managing budgets, applying for funding, and dealing with governance and compliance. It's rewarding work, but at times it can also feel lonely and frustrating. You can lose sight of why you're doing it.

But within hours of arriving back in Malawi, I was reminded of the enormous need that exists, but also of the incredible difference that we are making. Every visit reconnects me with our purpose and reminds me that, together, we are making a difference and changing lives.

Seeing the Preschool in Action

Without question, the highlight of my trip was visiting the MSP preschool.

Standing in our new building, surrounded by children laughing, learning and playing together, was simply amazing. It was wonderful to see the classroom full of energy and curiosity.

Just a year ago, the children were learning in a tiny, makeshift thatched space. Today, they have a bright, spacious classroom filled with toys, puzzles, paints, books and games. They have toilets, a secure outdoor play area and a kitchen where nutritious meals are prepared each day.

Girls Motivation Morning

My visit also coincided with one of our Girls Motivation Mornings. We were delighted to welcome two inspiring Malawian professionals, Noria and Lomagazi, who shared their personal journeys with our scholarship female students.

A fun fact—Lomagazi and I attended primary school together in Malawi. It was the first time we'd seen each other in more than 20 years, and it was great fun to reconnect through MSP.

The ladies spoke honestly about the challenges they had overcome and the opportunities their education had created for them.

Watching the girls listen was incredibly moving. You could almost see the moment when they realised that the speakers had once faced many of the same challenges they do—and that they too could overcome these challenges and achieve their ambitions.

After the session, several of the girls asked to speak with me privately. They shared their hopes for the future, as well as some of the challenges they continue to face. These conversations are one of the most valuable parts of every visit. They help me understand first-hand the impact MSP is having, but just as importantly, they help me understand what we can do better.

Hearing from Our University Students

For the first time, I had the opportunity to meet all nine of our university scholarship students as we hosted our first University Scholarship Lunch.

Each student shared their story—their studies, the challenges they have overcome and their ambitions for the future. Every story was inspiring. One student had to leave school for several years to care for an unwell parent. Another relied on the support of their grandparents to complete secondary school. Another reached university thanks to the generosity of a local church that believed in their potential.

Although they come from different parts of Malawi and are studying a wide range of subjects, one thing unites them all: remarkable resilience and an unwavering determination to succeed.

Listening to their journeys was a powerful reminder that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Through your support, these young people are now able to pursue their dreams and build brighter futures—not only for themselves, but for their families and communities as well.

A Growing Team

This time last year, the MSP team in Malawi consisted of just one person—Sengo, our Scholarship Manager. Today, he is part of a team of nine dedicated staff.

To welcome our new colleagues and spend time getting to know one another, the team and I celebrated with lunch together.

We are proud to be providing meaningful employment for this talented group of people, the majority of whom are women. But more importantly, every new member of the team strengthens our ability to support children and young people across Malawi.

Behind every scholarship awarded, every preschool lesson delivered, every mentoring session and every university student supported is a passionate team working tirelessly to create opportunities for others. As MSP continues to grow, so does our capacity to reach more children, strengthen our programmes and deliver even greater impact. 

Every visit to Malawi reinforces the same message: what we are doing is important, is impactful and is life-changing. And none of this would be possible without you

Whether you sponsor a student, donate, or simply champion our work, you are helping children and young people build brighter futures through education.

Thank you for being part of the MSP journey.