How Blackburn College is shaping early years education in Malawi

Last year marked a turning point for our college as we completed our first international volunteering trip to Malawi. What began as a simple enrichment idea has grown into a transformative, college-wide movement which continues to inspire our learners, strengthen our community, and deepen our global connections. As we prepare for this year’s upcoming trip, we’re reflecting on how it all began, how it works, and where we’re heading next.

The journey began with fundraising. Students wanted to do something meaningful for a charity making a real difference, so we set an initial goal: raise £2,000 to fund a well in Malawi. But we didn’t just reach it, we smashed it.

Very quickly, the total climbed far beyond anything we expected, eventually reaching £10,428. This was a phenomenal achievement and a powerful moment that showed just how motivated and united our college and wider community was. Instead of stopping there, our learners asked, “What else can we do?” which changed everything.

Their enthusiasm pushed us to aim much higher, and the fundraising quickly grew into an ambitious plan to build a nursery. This wasn’t just about raising money; it became a mission that connected our whole college and laid the foundations for a long-term partnership with the Malawi Relief Fund and a technical college in Malawi.

During our visit, we identified significant gaps in early years training across the region. This sparked our next major step: we are now writing an early years qualification that will be mapped to Malawi’s early years government strategy. This will support our partner college to deliver a meaningful, sustainable programme that strengthens childcare provision for years to come.

Our approach is rooted in structured preparation, collaboration, and inclusion. The project is carefully planned through a series of workshops that guide learners at every stage. The charity and local community leaders advise us on cultural, ethical, and project priorities. This year, the programme is three-fold: preparing to support the new Blackburn College International Nursery, providing meaningful activities at the orphanage, and working with our Malawian partner college to introduce the new early years qualification.

This year we are preparing the newly built nursery, funded through our students’ efforts, to become a UK-standard training hub aligned with the new qualification. Our students are creating resources, designing learning environments, and gathering equipment that will be used by Malawian staff, learners and children.

The programme has become a vibrant, college-wide endeavour, with every subject area finding its own way to contribute. ESOL learners have run Christmas markets, boosting confidence and spoken English, while the deaf society brings creativity and accessibility to fundraising. Animal care students have planned a sponsored alpaca walk – a fun twist on giving back – while early years students involve their work placements, turning local nurseries and schools into hubs of community activity. Like different threads woven into the same tapestry, every learner and department plays a part in making the project a success.

Our long-term vision is growing rapidly. We aim to finalise and launch the new early years qualification with our Malawian partners, supporting them through training, resource development, and ongoing mentorship. The Blackburn College International Nursery will be central to this, becoming a professional training hub that raises the standard of early years education globally. We also hope to expand cross-college participation even further, bringing more curriculum areas into the partnership and creating a sustainable, long-term programme that evolves each year.

The impact has been extraordinary. Students return from Malawi more mature, confident, and grounded. They gain resilience, teamwork skills and cultural awareness, as well as an appreciation for global issues that cannot be taught in a classroom alone.

The wider college community has transformed too. Fundraising events have forged bonds across departments, boosted learners’ confidence, and strengthened communication skills. Parents, local schools, nurseries, community groups and local businesses have supported the mission, creating a powerful sense of unity and purpose.

And in Malawi, the impact is tangible: access to clean water and a healthy nutritious meal, a new nursery, community resources, and soon, a high-quality early years qualification.

If other colleges wish to do the same, I’d advise them to start with passion, not perfection, and to build strong partnerships with organisations who truly understand the local needs. It’s important to make the project inclusive, and to ensure every learner can contribute, regardless of ability, background, or course.

And most importantly, listen to your students. Their ideas, energy, and compassion will take the project further than you ever imagined. Because when learners believe they can change the world, they often do. So, create the opportunities, open the doors, and watch your learners stand out in the sector.

Shabana Bharucha is the Curriculum Manager – Early Years at Blackburn College