The children in the photos are students at Chambo Primary School in Chitipa District, rural northern Malawi. All are living in extreme poverty. Many are orphans living with extended family. None have money to buy enough food so they cannot afford to buy stationery for school. There are at least 60 students in each class and there are 8 classes. All students in Malawi take exams at the end of year 8. They are not allowed to attend secondary school if they have not passed those primary school leavers exams.

Our School Literacy project is helping raise exam pass rates and help children become more confident readers. We are collecting preloved children's reading books and gifting boxes of books to primary schools that have little or no resources. Already, the pass rates for these primary school leavers exams have risen by 19% since sharing preloved reading books and buying notebooks and pencils for students. The boxes of books are costing £17.50 per box to send on the container to Malawi, so this is a relatively small cost for the amount of children it is helping. We would love help if people would like to sponsor a box of books to go to a school in Malawi. But a bigger cost is providing notebooks and pencils for hundreds of children in need. Notebooks get used and need replacing, but if it helps students to pass their exams and move on to secondary education and a brighter future then it is worth it. Education is their way out of poverty. We'd love your help with this ongoing project please...imagine our children not even having a notebook and pencil...we take so much for granted. Thank you for helping and supporting Changing Lives Malawi.