Dozens of children in Malawi will attend high school, thanks to a Bermuda charity’s scholarship scheme.

Bermuda Overseas Mission raised $6,000 to start the programme to send 60 pupils to school. The organisation visited the Mulanje district in 2015 and again last year.

David Frost, the charity’s president, said the trips were eye-openers.

He added: “We were shocked to learn that girls of 12 or 13 were being married off because their families could not afford to educate the children.

“The young boys were left to help their families in subsistence farming, or go to the tea plantations to work.

“Now we have redirected the future of many of these young people, giving them an opportunity to obtain an education which can only lead to improved lives.”

George Frost, a Berkeley Institute student on one of the trips, said the experience made him appreciate life in Bermuda.

He explained: “It was very difficult hearing about the kids in our village that were unable to attend school, due to the cost.

“You could see that they had such a strong desire to learn and to have an education.

“It definitely makes you realise how fortunate we are here.”

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa.

Mr Frost said that for $100 a year the charity could provide a high school education to a child. The cost covered a uniform, shoes, backpack and school supplies.

Mr Frost said that pupils aged 11 to 18 attended high school “as many of them missed the opportunity at an earlier age”.

He added: “We realise this is a four-year commitment to finance each child and are seeking additional support in our efforts to help the children of these villages make a difference to their lives.”

BOM plans to return to Malawi to continue work to build homes in the Mulanje district. Since it was founded in 2003, it has visited 18 countries and built homes for more than 100 families.

Anyone interested in contributing can contact David Thompson at david.thompson@ams.bm.