Lobsang's Journey in Science and Research
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Read storyWhere potential meets purpose
An 8 year leadership pathway for exceptional young people
Future Leaders
Future Leaders nurtures bright children from the poorest rural areas into leaders who change their communities and the world.
The problem it solves
In some rural areas we select from, only 1 in 33 young people finish secondary school. Clever, hard-working children miss out, not because they lack talent, but because they never get the chance to discover their strengths. As a result, they are rarely able to become the leaders their communities need to improve society and drive economic growth.
What the programme actually is
Future Leaders is our flagship programme. We pick exceptional children at age 11 for their ability and character, then support them for 7 to 8 years. They live and learn in a caring campus, get a top-quality education, and learn how to lead. Education is the start. Leadership is the goal.
How it works
A staged journey over 7 to 8 years
Children grow step by step: strong school work first, then character and resilience, then real leadership they practise for themselves.
01
Foundations
They grow up in a safe, caring home where they feel they belong and are supported every day. Values are nurtured to build compassion to help others.
Outcome: the security and confidence to thrive.
02
Expanded Horizons
A top-quality education plus sport, arts and hands-on skills, so every talent they have can grow. Every child has unique strengths that can only develop by exposure to a range of activities.
Outcome: a well-rounded young person ready for anything.
03
Leadership in Practice
A clear leadership pathway, first learning about how change happens, opportunities to help others and finishing by planning and running real projects in communities in need.
Outcome: a confident leader ready to give back.
What participants gain
A first-class education and a lifelong network
- A first-class education
- Strong character and confidence
- Real leadership experience
- A lifelong support network
- The skills to lift their whole community
Impact and proof
The impact of our Future Leaders
2,788
children supported to date - 98% complete the programme and are up to 15x more likely to earn a university degree.
72%
of alumni work in public service or financially support their families - including roughly 470 teachers and 360 doctors and nurses.
73
alumni-led NGOs driving change across all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Who it is for
Talent, determination and a wish to help others
Exceptional young people from rural and poor communities who show talent, determination and a wish to help others. Places are earned on merit. For every boy, two girls get a place.
Who it is for
Why we pick two girls for every boy
In many of the places we work, girls are the first to miss out on school. Families may need them at home, marry them young, or simply not be able to afford to send everyone. So for every boy we choose, we choose two girls. When a girl finishes school she usually earns more, marries later, and looks after her family and village - so picking more girls means more change for everyone.
Who it is for
How we find the right young people
We travel to small villages and refugee camps that other charities often miss. Children sit short reading and maths tests, and our team talks with them about their lives and what they dream of doing. We also visit each family at home, so we can see who really needs the chance. We are not just looking for top marks - we look for kids who are kind, curious, brave and want to help others.
Where we educate
Five countries, one mission
“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.”
Ahmed Kazadi Kabuya, Zambia
Alumni stories
Where Future Leaders go next
Future Leaders Alumni - by the numbers
A demographic portrait of 2,788 alumni
These figures describe the alumni of our Future Leaders only - sponsored young people from five country projects in Zambia, the UK, India, Nepal and Thailand.
2,788 alumni across five country projects
Zambia and the UK together account for roughly three in five Future Leaders alumni, with strong cohorts in India, Nepal and Thailand.
Pestalozzi alumni records, June 2026 · n = 2,788
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What it costs
$3,300per child, per year
The full cost of a residential Future Leaders place - covering teaching, boarding, pastoral care and leadership formation across 7-8 years.
Sponsor a Future Leader
Help us to reach more children
Your support enables marginalized children to become leaders in their communities.
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