Written by Leticia Cox
Education Is A Powerful Poverty-Fighting Tool.
The education sector, in general, has been under the spotlight, especially after Covid -19 and other natural disasters that have affected many rural areas worldwide.
Today, there is a growing number of charities dedicated to helping affected and fragile education systems worldwide —The Magic Future Foundation is one of them.
The 100 Schools Project, initiated by The Magic Future Foundation, is a groundbreaking educational initiative to transform children’s and communities’ lives worldwide. This visionary project strives to establish 100 innovative schools in underserved areas, providing quality education, empowerment, and opportunities for children who would otherwise be denied access to education.
The Magic Future Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating positive change through education, believes that education is the key to unlocking the potential of every child and empowering them to shape their futures. With this belief at its core, the foundation launched the 100 Schools Project in 2019 to revolutionize education in marginalized communities.
The Magic Future Foundation, a UK-based charity, was set up to raise funds to support outstanding organizations and causes that are helping people achieve their dreams by building opportunities through education and inspiration, both locally and globally.
“Our purpose is to create a better world because of education and engagement”
Stefan Wissenbach, founder of The Magic Future Foundation.
“A Better World Because Of Education And Engagement”
The Beginning
In October 2013, the Wissenbach family travelled to Jumbo, Malawi, to help build the first Magic Future school, together with other charities and the community members of Jumbo.
Together they managed to build the new Kasambankhole school in nine weeks. The school will serve 210 girls, 228 boys, and eight teachers.
“In Jumbo, a cycle of poverty continues largely because of the inaccessibility of education and resources. Yet the community’s energy, passion and enthusiasm are incredible,” said Wissenbach.
On 10 September 2019, the body of Wissenbach’s 25-year-old son Oliver was found lying peacefully at the bottom of a swimming pool in Menorca.
The subsequent diagnosis was that he had suffered from ‘sudden adult death syndrome’. He had died unexpectedly, doing something he loved, taking a late-night swim. “We are still trying to accept our loss, and our lives will never be the same again,” said Wissenbach.
“Oliver had a zest for life. In his 25 years, he achieved more than many do in a lifetime. He was a qualified snowboarding instructor, diving instructor, electronic music producer and English teacher. He was gentle, kind and humble.”
Oliver had travelled extensively, living in Whistler, Thailand and America. He was just about to embark on another chapter and travel to China to teach English in a school. Not bad for a dyslexic boy who wasn’t well served by our education system.
The morning he died, Oliver’s younger siblings Alex and Max said they wanted to build a school in his honour—something meaningful to come out of a tragedy. Together as a family, they built a school in Africa in 2013 and raised funds to build a further three the following year.
Oliver was a remarkable young man who wanted to leave the world a better place. In the days following his death, the family discovered his anonymous writing on Quora, helping others without wanting recognition or reward. The family decided to publish a book of his wisdom.
The Magic Future Foundation is a genuinely inspirational story where the Wissenbach family have used the tragedy as a platform for good. They have published two books and are building 100 schools worldwide in Oli’s name.
The 100 Schools Project takes a holistic approach to education, focusing on academic learning and personal development, creativity, critical thinking, and life skills. These schools are designed to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where students can thrive, fostering a love for learning and enabling them to reach their full potential.
Each school is carefully designed and equipped with modern facilities and diverse resources. The Magic Future Foundation collaborates with local communities, governments, buildOn charity, and the communities of the school locations to ensure that the schools meet the specific needs of each community.
One of the project’s key aspects is teachers’ training and development. The foundation invests heavily in professional development programs to empower teachers with the latest teaching methodologies, tools, and techniques. The project aims to create a sustainable educational ecosystem that uplifts student generations by nurturing and supporting teachers.
Moreover, the 100 Schools Project goes beyond the confines of the classroom by engaging parents, caregivers, and the wider community. The foundation recognizes the importance of involving all stakeholders in the education process, fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for the children’s education. This approach strengthens community bonds, encourages lifelong learning, and builds a foundation for sustainable development.
The impact of the 100 Schools Project extends far beyond the individual students and communities it serves. The Magic Future Foundation works closely with buildOn, a registered charity with an unparalleled track record of success, having built over 2,200 schools over the last 28 years. By providing quality education to underserved populations, the project addresses social inequalities and empowers individuals to become agents of change in their own lives and societies.
Through partnerships, sponsorships, and donations, The Magic Future Foundation aims to expand the reach of the 100 Schools Project, making quality education a reality for even more marginalized communities worldwide.
“Our schools break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations, transforming the lives of the attendees and the communities they live in,” said Wissenbach.
By scaling up this transformative initiative, the foundation envisions a future where all children, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal access to education and the opportunity to shape their magical futures.
The foundation has now built 24 out of 100 schools in build or built. Over 8,000 lives are impacted for the better today and for future generations to come. More schools will be built in Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Haiti, Mali, Malawi, Nepal, Nicaragua and Senegal.
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