Why I Started Raising Stars: Breaking Generational Poverty Through Education

Growing up, I was always aware of the power of education. It is the foundation of opportunity, the great equalizer, and the key to breaking free from cycles of generational poverty. But it wasn’t until I became a mother—blessed with four incredible daughters—that the weight of this reality truly hit me. My girls have access to quality education, a safe home, and endless possibilities. Yet, every day, countless children around the world are denied these same opportunities simply because of where they were born.

That truth broke my heart—and it moved me to action.

As a registered mental health nurse and an advocate for children’s well-being, I have seen firsthand how a lack of access to education can shape a child’s future in ways that no one should have to experience. When children grow up without the right educational resources, they are often trapped in a cycle of poverty that their parents and grandparents before them were also unable to escape. But I firmly believe that every child has a unique purpose and destiny, and that purpose begins with the seeds sown in their formative years.

I know this because I have lived it. Some of my earliest memories are of my late father speaking into my life when I was just five or six years old. I remember sitting at a table, carefully coloring in a picture of a plant, and hearing his encouraging words: "You’re going to make it." His voice, his belief in me, pushed me to color in just a little bit better, to try just a little bit harder. That small act of determination led me to win a brand-new yellow mountain bike—much to the envy of my friends! But more than the prize, it was my father’s words that stayed with me, that shaped my mindset, that gave me confidence in my potential. That experience has never left me, and today, I want to be that same voice of encouragement for children around the world.

That is why I started Raising Stars—a charity dedicated to helping underprivileged children access the educational resources they need to thrive. Because when we invest in a child’s education, we are not just helping one child; we are changing the trajectory of an entire family, an entire community, and ultimately, an entire generation.

Education is a Lifeline

For so many children, education is more than just a classroom experience—it is a lifeline. It is the difference between being trapped in poverty and stepping into a future filled with hope and opportunity. Yet, millions of children in developing countries do not have access to basic learning materials, books, or even a space where they can learn without limitations. Some are forced to drop out of school to work and support their families. Others never get the chance to start school at all.

But what if we could change that?

At Raising Stars, we work to provide essential learning resources, mentorship, and financial support for children who otherwise would not have these opportunities. We focus on breaking educational poverty—because poverty is not just about lacking money; it’s about lacking access, exposure, and the tools needed to create a better future.

Teaching Business Principles From a Young Age

My passion for business and entrepreneurship has been a major driving force in my life. I truly believe that business is a powerful tool for financial empowerment, and children should be introduced to these principles from an early age. Imagine a world where children, regardless of their background, are equipped with financial literacy, entrepreneurial skills, and an empowered mindset from childhood.

Our charity doesn’t just provide schoolbooks and resources—we also integrate business education into our programs, teaching children practical skills that can help them build sustainable futures. Whether it’s learning how to manage money, develop problem-solving skills, or start their own small businesses in the future, these lessons can change the course of their lives.

Sowing Seeds for a Brighter Future

Children are the future. The seeds we plant in their lives today will determine the fruit they bear tomorrow. I refuse to accept a world where only the privileged few get to reach their full potential. Every child—whether in the UK, Africa, or anywhere else in the world—deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Raising Stars is more than just a charity to me. It is my mission, my passion, and my commitment to the children who deserve a chance. A chance to learn. A chance to dream. A chance to shine.

We are raising stars—one child at a time. And with the right support, guidance, and resources, these children will rise up and break the cycles that have held their families back for generations.

If you believe in this mission, I invite you to join us. Together, we can be the difference that turns dreams into reality.

Because every child deserves a future full of possibilities.