I met John when he was just 12 years old, a student at Katitima Primary School in Malawi, which is linked to Salehurst Primary School. He rather cheekily introduced himself as an orphan and the most intelligent boy in the school! Even though he passed his exams, he would have had little chance of going to secondary school without the help of the Starfish Malawi Charity. Living with his grandmother, John had to wake very early to do chores then walk a long distance to school, with little food to sustain him through the day. Attending secondary school was not easy either..but John did not give up. His ambition was to go to university. Despite many setbacks, John kept going until he achieved the necessary grades. John has kept in touch with us over the years and recently received the wonderful news that he has been offered a place at the Malawi College of Accountancy to do a business degree. John is just one of thousands of young people in Malawi who are desperate to study, but do not have the opportunity. Please help us to pay for John's first semester by sponsoring our Ben Nevis climb and giving a donation here. Keep in mind that I don't like heights and Cornelis turned 60 last month!!

Alternatively, if anyone feels kind enough to chip in to help us pay a monthly amount to continue this support over the next four years, please contact me separately. Thank you!