The Vontobel Foundation supports the "SkillsHub" project of the Pestalozzi Overseas Children's Foundation from 2024 to 2027, aiming to create a sustainable livelihood for marginalized youth in Zambia.
Pestalozzi International provides child-centered education to disadvantaged children in the Global South, supporting economic growth and social mobility by capturing the uniqueness of each child's full potential. The organization’s education projects go beyond classroom instruction to develop future-oriented vocational skills and foster children’s emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. This education for life creates self-sufficient adults with the confidence to make meaningful contributions, as members of their communities and global citizens.
Today, Pestalozzi International's core program is educating 485 children aged 10 to 18 years at three "home" campuses in Zambia, India, and Nepal. These locations are considered centers of excellence for child-centered care and enable the cost-effective education of children in a place where they receive an excellent education and practical life skills.
In 2025, the Pestalozzi Overseas Children's Foundation, part of Pestalozzi International, will open a SkillsHub at its Zambian location in Lusaka. The SkillsHub is a multifunctional vocational training facility focusing on in-demand digital and agricultural skills for marginalized 15- to 19-year-old youths who otherwise face unemployment and exclusion from the formal economy. This 12-month program offers basic literacy, numeracy, and IT skills, followed by specialized training in key areas identified by local employers and partners. In addition to knowledge transfer, the SkillsHub teaches the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and works with the teens on their self-confidence and independence. It also connects them with local employers looking for apprentices and provides microfinance tools and further education opportunities to help them secure a sustainable livelihood.
"Through our partnership with the Vontobel Foundation, we can jointly expand our social impact and provide marginalized youths in Zambia with rapid access to sustainable livelihoods."
James Haughton, CEO, Pestalozzi International
"The innovative SkillsHub is based on Pestalozzi International's long-standing experience and track record in education and capacity building.
Dr. Peter Maurer, Board Member, Vontobel Foundation