School groups have always been a vital part of the Open Arms community. Over the years, we’ve built fantastic partnerships with schools whose fundraising efforts and visits to Malawi have made a real difference in the lives of children and families we support.

We’re passionate about creating partnerships that benefit everyone involved. Supporting Open Arms isn’t just about raising funds—it’s about helping students connect with real-world issues, develop empathy, and grow into thoughtful, engaged global citizens.

To make this easy and impactful, we’ve developed free, fun, and interactive resources for both primary and secondary schools. Packed with true stories from Malawi, these materials bring the culture and challenges faced by local communities to life. They’re a great addition to the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum, and they play an important role in students’ personal growth and understanding of the world around them.

Why Partner Your School with Open Arms Malawi?

Partnering with Open Arms Malawi offers your school more than just an opportunity to fundraise—it’s a chance to create meaningful learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

Benefits for your school and students include:

• Enriching the curriculum: Access free lesson plans and resources that link to Citizenship, PSHE, and global learning objectives.

• Real-world connection: Engage students with true stories from Malawi, helping them understand different cultures and develop empathy.

• Personal growth: Inspire pupils to become active, compassionate global citizens who recognise their ability to make a difference.

• Community building: Unite your school behind a shared goal, strengthening teamwork and collective achievement.

• Memorable experiences: Opportunities for fundraising events, assemblies from the UK fundraising team, and even school visits to Open Arms in Malawi.

If your school would like to partner with Open Arms Malawi and get involved in fundraising, we have a downloadable School Fundraising pack full of ideas and resources. 

For more information check out our latest school newsletter below or to discuss how your school can get involved please contact us.  

What teachers say:

Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale  “Our friends in Malawi are absolutely thriving, and we have gained so much, in so many ways. Raising funds has been a daunting task, but at the same time a real pleasure. The trick has been to mobilize the whole school community. Supermarket bag packing, quizzes, afternoon teas, sponsored walks, Christmas craft stalls, you name it, and we’ve done it!” Pete Weston

Stewarts Melville College, Edinburgh   “We have seen that bringing the global dimension to Citizenship and lessons across the full breadth of the curriculum can enrich educational experiences and outcomes for young people, helping them to challenge stereotypes, respect cultural differences, and raise their global awareness.” - Gavin Park

Lancing College, West Sussex  "Lancing College supports Open Arms because of it's dedication to support the babies, children and young adults and extended families in it's care. Yet dedication too to partner organisations like Lancing and many former pupils who've gone on to fundraise independently for Open Arms - that sense of actively nurturing, sustaining, stewarding a community network. Open Arms feels like family to Lancing, as it has to so many young people in Malawi since it's foundation." - Matt Smith

What pupils say:

Violet, Culford School - "Before visiting the community Open Arms projects, charity for me was just something that you give money to. Having researched, presented and fundraised for these projects I felt personally part of what was going on. The best ever aspect, however, was to see with my own eyes the community outreach programme itself and the effect of hard work and donations in the Blantyre Community in the summer of 2024." 

You can read more about our partnerships with schools in our blog.