Edward loved his time teaching in Zimbabwe.

He taught at Magunje School, Zimbabwe, in 1992 before going to university.

Edward taught Maths, Science and Sport. Teaching came naturally to Edward. He enjoyed the challenge of teaching too. Edward was teaching science without a laboratory, with little equipment and a few out-of-date text books.

While so many students there are eager to learn, the school and students have very very little.

The School:

Magunje High School is a rural state school in north east Zimbabwe. It has around 500 pupils.

Better resources would be greatly valued.

When Anthony (Edward's father) visited the school in 2022 with Jonathan (Edward's brother), it had not received any new library books for 3 years, the ‘Science Department’ was using the bottom half of plastic bottles instead of glass test-tubes, the football pitch relied on goats to keep the grass short enough for football (rather than having a lawnmower), and the school only had four laptops for everyone.

Around half of school-age children in Zimbabwe are unable to have an education, because their parents are not able to pay the fees.

The way of life:

In the village, everyone lives in simple homes made of clay, usually with just one room and no electricity. When he was there, Edward greatly valued having a bed and a bicycle, and gave them away at the end of his teaching placement, knowing gifts can make big differences in people's lives.

Zimbabwe gifts already made in Edward's name:

In 2022, with generous input from a close friend, the family have funded a new borehole, which cost £6k. The old borehole, which Edward had used, was no longer fit for purpose and was no longer producing pure water for the school and its surrounding rural community. The new borehole is now powered with the help of solar panels and no longer depends on strenuous manual pumping.

School fees: Already, 4 term's of Magunje school fees for some of the children of Norest Chimbwanda have been paid for by the family. School fees are US$50 for a term.

Norest died unexpectedly early in 2022. Edward had taught Norest and subsequently gave him support and guidance, and Norest had Edward and two close friends of Edward's to stay in his village in 1995.

Other gifts made in Edward's name:

Winston's Wish (supports children and their families following the death of a parent, sibling or important person.) Over £9.5k raised. £299 covers the cost of running their on-demand services (live chat, Helpline, and “Ask” email service) for 1 day, so Edward's friends and family raised enough between us to cover over 31 days of their on-demand services.

Mind (allows for no one having to face a mental health problem alone.) The 2019 Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100. Completed in Edward's name. Over £1.1k raised. £100 pays the cost of one of their Infoline or Legal Line advisors for a whole day, so Edward's friends and family raised enough between us to cover over 11 days of the costs of an advisor.

The Samaritans (provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, often through its telephone helpline.) The Alpine 3 Peaks climbed in Edward's name. Over £1.6k raised. £96 supports a Samaritans volunteer this year as they answer calls for help, so Edward's friends and family raised enough between us to cover over 17 Samaritans volunteers this year.

The Princess Alice Hospice (provides local free, compassionate end-of-life care and support for their families and loved ones). Funds were raised through their charity shop sales of £0.5k. £19 pays for one session for one child following the death of a parent.

Edward's school house, Temple, Stowe, was able to put up wooden panels, covering missing years of names, thanks to gifts from friends and family of Edward. His school, Stowe, kindly erected a bench in his name too.

Edward's university college, St. Catherine's, Oxford, is setting up photography prizes from 2024 in perpetuity, in his name, and funds have been pledged for this by family.

Rufus and Arthur:

Edward had always wanted to take Rufus, Arthur and Joanna to Zimbabwe, a place which had meant so much to him.

Rufus and Arthur will visit Magunje School in July 2024, and with Joanna and Anthony, they will assess the school’s most pressing needs.

How to give:

Gift Aid -

The Edward Shillington Magunje School Fund

To make a donation which qualifies for Gift Aid, it is possible via a UK-registered charity, The Mike Campbell Foundation.

This is within the charitable objectives of the Mike Campbell Foundation

The Mike Campbell Foundation, Charity Registration No. 1144943, has two overriding objectives, both in Zimbabwe:- (i) the restoration of the rule of law, human rights and justice, and (ii) humanitarian support for the most vulnerable, particularly in farming and in education. Edward’s family is most grateful to the trustees of the Mike Campbell Foundation for allowing it to fundraise for the Edward Shillington Magunje School Fund as part of the MCF’s educational support programme.

For further information on the work of the Mike Campbell Foundation, see www,mikecampbellfoundation,com

Edward loved his time teaching in Zimbabwe. A donation in his memory would be very kind.

At Magunje, gifts of all sizes make a huge difference.