Johnny Onslow (ColB, BaA 69-75) – Transforming Education in Kenya

Johnny Onslow (ColB, BaA 69-75), is transforming education in Kenya as a Trustee at the Vanessa Grant Trust and Treasurer of Friends of the Mau Watershed (FOMAWA)

Inspired by his time at Christ’s Hospital, Johnny, who was recently awarded an MBE for his services to education, is breaking the cycle of poverty by empowering children through life-changing access to education in Kenya.

Johnny’s work led to the founding of five schools, supporting 260 bursaries for students in Kenya, as well as significantly improving facilities, equipment and teacher training for ten government schools, impacting over 4,300 students and 90 teachers.

Photo: Leavers of the the Vanessa Grant Girls School being given a bible by Johnny. The girls are given a similar charge to Christ’s hospital.

Beyond this, Johnny is the treasurer for FOMAWA. This NGO (non governmental organisation) focuses on education working with schools creating awareness of the importance of forests and particularly the Mau water tower neighbouring the area where these schools are located. Johnny works with teachers, parents and students on good planting practice for trees and commercial woodlots to reduce the human impact and destruction on the indigenous forest.

‘Seeing students thrive—pursuing university degrees and achieving career success—brings me immense satisfaction. Having been given the opportunity of a quality education myself, I feel the ethos of Christ’s Hospital is alive and thriving in rural Kenya, making a lasting impact on the lives of countless young people.’