Laika Prisca and Fridah Zambia

Education to transform the future

Equipping young adults to drive positive change in their communities

Future Leaders Programme

Traditional schooling often fails to develop the leadership skills and critical thinking needed to drive positive change in society. Our Future Leaders Programme was created to address these gaps, ensuring that our students succeed academically and develop the capacity and soft skills to uplift their communities.

A transformational education for our future leaders

In the Global South, many children face significant obstacles in accessing quality education. High School completion rates in the areas of Zambia, India and Nepal we select from are as low as 3%.

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 and beyond.

Female Alumni talking behind flowers

How we make a difference

Our flagship Future Leaders Programme offers residential scholarships to children from disadvantaged rural and refugee backgrounds, who have the potential to become future changemakers. They receive a high-quality, child-centred education and live in a nurturing environment on a Pestalozzi Campus.

For us, education is more than knowledge, it is a transformative journey. Our programme equips students with the skills they need to become self-reliant young adults and compassionate leaders and changemakers. We are fostering the next generation of young people, rooted in their culture, to bring positive change and sustainable economic development to their communities, countries and beyond.

Learn what we stand for
Girls from Pestalozzi India school at celebration

Our unique approach

Inspired by Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, our education philosophy nurtures the whole child—intellectually, emotionally, and practically. We encourage creative thinking, compassionate leadership and empower children to recognise that they can be agents of positive change in their communities.​​

Explore the Pestalozzi approach
Pestalozzi children in the forest in Nepal

Who we select

We carefully choose students from the most marginalised communities, especially girls and refugees. This way, we ensure that those who will benefit the most from our programme—and have the most potential to contribute positively to their communities—get the chance to participate.

Learn more about our selection process

Growing up in a refugee camp, I faced many challenges. Thanks to Pestalozzi International, I am now an Engineering student and Bezos African Scholar. I want to give back to my community through the power of engineering to create sustainable solutions to the problems they face.

Ahmed Kazadi Kabuya, Zambia

Where we educate Future Leaders

Z Children in Uniform 2024

Outstanding graduation rates and academic achievements

Future Leaders children are up to 33x more likely to finish high school

Samikshya1

The Future Leaders Programme inspires success

"Pestalozzi was a central stepping stone for me. The passion I have for the environment and leadership was very much strengthened there."

Samikshya set out from Nepal to acquire degrees in environmental studies and urban and regional planning. Currently she earns practical experience as a Clean Energy and Climate Planning Intern in the city of Boston. She wants to keep fighting for a more equitable world, driven by her commitment to serve marginalized communities affected by climate change.

Read Samikshya’s story

57%
of Future Leaders alumni

volunteer in their communities or supporting Pestalozzi International projects

Around 2,500
children

have been supported to date

All 17
Sustainable Development Goals

have been contributed towards by our Alumni’s careers

Children learning with books on their tables at Pestalozzi Zambia

Let's unlock their potential

Your support empowers children to become leaders in their communities