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Focused for impact
At Pestalozzi International, we focus on regions where the need is urgent, and the potential for change is great. In Zambia, India, and Nepal, we provide education and training to young people from the most marginalised communities, helping them break the cycle of poverty and become leaders, entrepreneurs, changemakers.
Zambia
Why We’re Here
In Zambia, over 60% of children drop out before completing secondary education. For girls, the situation is even worse, with many forced into early marriage and household labour, leaving little room for education. The future for these children is constrained by poverty, a lack of resources, and limited vocational opportunities.
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The Core Problem
Extreme poverty, early marriage, and cultural expectations keep young people, particularly girls, out of school. Even when education is accessible, it often lacks the critical vocational training that could empower students to secure sustainable livelihoods. With digital skills in demand and agricultural science critical to Zambia's economy, the gap between what’s taught and what’s needed continues to widen.
What We Do
Pestalozzi International tackles these challenges through two key initiatives:
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Future Leaders Programme – We offer a comprehensive residential education to the brightest students from the most disadvantaged communities. Students in this programme receive a holistic education, leadership training, and vocational skills, ensuring they are academically prepared and leaders who can uplift their communities.
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SkillsHub – This initiative equips teenagers and young mothers with essential vocational skills in digital literacy and agricultural sciences, paving the way for sustainable employment. In addition to providing childcare and basic supplies like menstrual products, we focus on giving young women the tools to thrive in modern Zambia.
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Edulution - A key SkillsHub partner, Edulution employs many Future Leaders alumni to deliver innovative tablet-based numeracy programmes to children nationwide.
India
Why We’re Here
In rural India, 30% of children drop out before they finish primary school, and more than 50% of girls do not complete secondary education. Deep-rooted gender inequality and poverty keep girls in particular from accessing the education they need to build better futures. The impact? A cycle of missed opportunities and untapped potential.
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The Core Problem
For many young people in rural India, education is out of reach. Poverty, early marriage, and household responsibilities keep girls at home, while cultural barriers restrict their access to meaningful education. When girls are denied education, entire communities miss out on the potential for innovation, leadership, and social mobility.
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What We Do
Pestalozzi International provides a holistic approach to education in India, focusing on girls and marginalized communities.
Future Leaders Programme – Through our partner Cambrian Hall School we offer a comprehensive residential education to the brightest students from the most disadvantaged communities. Students in this programme receive a holistic education, leadership training, and vocational skills, ensuring they are academically prepared and leaders who can uplift their communities.
Nepal
Why We’re Here
In Nepal, over 40% of children drop out before completing secondary education, and in rural areas, poverty often forces children to prioritize work over education. Girls are disproportionately affected, as they are expected to contribute to household chores or are married off at an early age.
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The Core Problem
Poverty, remote geography, and entrenched gender roles create immense barriers to education in Nepal. Girls face the additional burden of cultural expectations that keep them out of school, depriving them of the chance to gain the skills they need to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Without access to quality education, the potential for social and economic development remains untapped.
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What We Do
Through the Future Leaders Programme In Nepal, we focus on the most disadvantaged children, providing them with a holistic education that integrates academic learning with leadership development and practical skills. Our programmes aim to remove the barriers to education by providing scholarships, emotional support, and vocational training, empowering students to overcome their circumstances and transform their communities.
Over 65 years of child-centred care (1959-2024)
Our programmes have transformed the lives of thousands of children, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.​
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By focusing on each child's unique strengths, we cultivate not only academic ability but also essential vocational skills Our diverse communities foster inclusion and develop children's innate empathy..
Pestalozzi International is committed to expanding our social impact, focusing on the regions where the need is greatest.
The children and young people who join our programmes demonstrate exceptional potential despite facing significant challenges. Many are girls and refugees from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our rigorous selection process ensures that we reach those most in need, helping them transform their futures and, in turn, the futures of those around them.
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By supporting our expansion efforts, you can help bring holistic education to the children who need it most, enabling them to break the cycle of poverty and become leaders and changemakers in their communities.
