Eagle Wings Lighthouse Academy

Johnstone Mdavan Maelo, founder and director of the Eagle Wings Lighthouse Academy, could have embarked on a successful career in business. With a degree in business administration, he already had promising job offers in his pocket. But a drastic experience changed his life forever.

A few years ago, Johnstone found a little baby girl in a rubbish bin. This moving event, which he describes as his "calling", awakened in him a deep compassion and an inexhaustible urge to help children in need through no fault of their own. This moment led him to rethink his career plans and dedicate his life to helping disadvantaged children.

The founding of the Eagle Wings Lighthouse Academy
During the coronavirus crisis, Johnstone decided to establish the Eagle Wings Lighthouse Academy. What started out as a small project with 12 children, which Johnstone looked after on his own, has grown into a fully-fledged school thanks to the support of Universal Lighthouse. Today, the academy offers a safe place to learn for around 280 children, supported by a dedicated team of 17 teachers and staff. Despite the initially very modest resources - supported only by charity and trust in God - the academy has developed into a place of hope and education for the poorest children in the region.

Support from Universal Lighthouse
Universal Lighthouse e. V. was able to support the school step by step. Together with Weltladen Mitterfelden and the municipality of Ainring, we helped to improve school supplies, including regular meals, school uniforms, writing materials and furniture. We were also able to hire additional teachers and finally make the move to two new school buildings possible. These provided the children with a safe and clean learning environment, away from the old, unsafe "stable" that previously served as the school building.

Joint progress
Every decision and change is made in close consultation with Johnstone Maelo. His commitment and vision have made the Eagle Wings Lighthouse Academy a place where children not only receive an education, but also find a sense of security and a perspective for the future.