Watson’s Malawi Partnership: Celebrating over a decade of connection, learning and global citizenship

Our Deputy Head of Senior School, Pupil Enrichment Richard Travers discusses the school’s lasting partnership with communities in Malawi and reflects on a special visit from First Minister John Swinney, who joined pupils returning from our annual trip to the ‘warm heart of Africa.

In 2012, 24 George Watson’s College pupils set off on what would become a life-changing journey to Malawi. This October, 13 years, 10 trips and 315 pupils later, I set off with the latest group of S5 and S6 pupils for their own adventure to the country known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’. The annual trip, which is one of the most sought after experiences in the Watson’s calendar, is just one part of the Watson’s Malawi Partnership which focuses on long-term, sustainable support in five areas:

• Education – supporting reading schemes, teacher training, and providing reusable sanitary pads to help girls remain in school.
• Health & Wellbeing – partnering with local clinics and outreach programmes such as the Achikondi Clinic and the Open Arms Project.
• Sport & Culture – fostering mutual learning and opportunity through sports kits, netball facilities, and student-led exchanges.
• Environment & Sustainability – supporting reforestation and ecological initiatives including tree planting.
• Enterprise – a newer focus, encouraging skills development and community enterprise.

One of the reasons Malawi is so impactful is that it enables pupils to live out our school values in such a meaningful way. It leaves them with new skills, the ability to cope with challenge, engage with people from different backgrounds, and learn from their resilience and resourcefulness. It also enables them to develop their own agency, raising money to support the initiatives developed by the Watson’s Malawi Partnership, a SCIO that when they see them first hand, really matter to them.

This year was no different. Pupils visited a number of Projects and initiatives in Southern Malawi supported by the Watsons Malawi Partnership, seeing first-hand the difference that they have made. There were so many highlights but one of the most interesting was the reforestation work undertaken on Mount Mulanje and at Zomba, ensuring that the school trip was CO2 neutral this year, and will be going forward.  I also loved seeing our young people work with their Malawian peers to learn from each other as they discussed the challenges both face during the STEKA dialogues sessions. I know a highlight for many was the paired reading sessions that they ran with Malawian Primary school pupils, helping improve the literacy of young Malawians.

I think our Malawian driver Paul summed up best what this trip meant to our pupils.

He grew up as a street child before being rescued by a Pastor. Paul has an ambition to finish his training as a mechanic and start a garage, training street children to be mechanics. He said:

“I want to say thank you so much to your parents,  for allowing you to come and learn the life of African people and learn the life of Malawian people, you know there are some things that you can learn through books but the fact that you have come and seen the true meaning of Malawi, that has given us joy because it has also given you a new story, a true story of how Malawians are”

Paul’s story inspires our pupils  to make their own lives and the world a better place.

Of course, none of this is possible without our amazing partners in Malawi. It’s been a privilege to work alongside incredible people like Charity Salima, who has transformed maternal healthcare in her community, and Godknows Maseko, whose vision for the STEKA children’s home and vocational centre continues to inspire us.

In a country where poverty, limited infrastructure and healthcare challenges are part of everyday life, our partnership makes a real, visible difference.

Scotland has deep rooted links with Malawi and this year also marked the 20th anniversary the historic Co-operation Agreement between the governments of Scotland and Malawi in 2005. To mark this event First Minister John Swinney visited Malawi to see the impact of the Scottish Government’s international development and climate justice work and was in Malawi at the same time as our school group.

On hearing about this visit, and keen to highlight the Watson’s Malawi Partnership one of our S6 pupils, Amelia wrote to Mr Swinney, inviting him to the school to see and celebrate the work we do. We were delighted that last night at a special celebration with pupils and parents, we were joined by the First Minister who saw first-hand the impact of the Partnership and the enthusiasm and commitment of our pupils.

At the event, Mr Swinney highlighted the importance of young people understanding global issues including climate change and debt in the Global South, praising our Watson’s Malawi programme. He reaffirmed Scotland’s commitment to international development and climate justice, stressing the need for continued support and global citizenship saying:

“I believe it is important for young people in Scotland to have a strong awareness of the world beyond our borders, in particular global issues such as the impact of climate change and unjust debt on Global South countries. That’s why programmes like the one at George Watson’s College are so valuable – as I heard first-hand from pupils following their trip to Malawi last month.

“During my own recent trip to Malawi I had the opportunity to visit some of the life-changing projects supported through our International Development Fund and Climate Justice Fund. What I saw reinforced my belief that now more than ever, when other governments are withdrawing their support, our funding, our continued commitment, is absolutely crucial.

“I am sure that like me, the pupils’ visit will also continue to inspire and motivate them - not only to be good global citizens, but to act as champions for good global citizenship with their fellow pupils, friends, family and wider community.”

The Watson’s Malawi Partnership is a shining example of what a school-based global partnership can achieve. Rooted in genuine relationships and shared values, it connects Edinburgh and Malawi in ways that benefit young people and communities in both countries.

I am incredibly proud of the many pupils and staff who, over the last 13 years have helped us make a sustainable difference. With the First Ministers words in mind, it reminds us that global citizenship isn’t just an idea to be taught - it’s something to be lived.