Cascade - helping change lives around the world

Thanks to your donations to Cascade, 35 student-led projects have been funded this year.

We caught up with three Cascade projects to see what a difference your generosity is making. 

"Our project began with one clear goal: to build a brighter future for deaf children in Kenya. Over the past three years, we've been working with the church and local community in Mbeere to change local perceptions of deafness and build a specialised deaf education secondary school. 

"The two classrooms funded thanks to your gifts are nearly complete. It's exciting to know that our work has given deaf people a chance to learn, break out of poverty and create their own futures. 

"Meeting local deaf students like Christine who wants to help HIV sufferers or Simon who would like to become a doctor or lawyer, is truly inspirational. It's humbling that despite the challenges they face, they not only strive to change their own lives but the lives of others in their communities. 

"We still have lots of work ahead to provide an excellent facility for deaf education, but it's been a fantastic start. We've learnt a lot about working with other cultures and responsible giving. I'm proud of the change we're making to the lives of deaf children in Kenya – I want to thank everyone who gives to Cascade."

"We're a social enterprise in Nottingham which provides people in need with the opportunity to buy recycled, high-quality furniture at a low cost to avoid it going to landfill. I've been part of the project since 2014 and have seen Re-covered grow into something special. Since we started trading in May 2015 we have helped over 300 people turn their houses into homes. 

"The moment that really hit home for me was when I made a delivery to a gentleman who'd recently escaped homelessness. When we arrived we discovered he'd been sleeping on a flat air mattress on the floor. He cried when we have him a new bed and mattress at a price he could afford. This simple piece of furniture – something most of us take for granted – meant the world to him. 

"Re-covered also offers employment opportunities for local people like John, who has extensive experience but struggled with unemployment. We've gained John's skills and helped him come off benefit payments. The skills I've learnt through the project are also invaluable – I've had the chance to run a fully operational business with an employee and a team of volunteers. It's an experience I'll never forget and will be forever grateful for."

"I am honoured to be one of many students involved in Project Gansu. What we are doing is using our skills as architects, designers and engineers to help design an innovative new classroom at Hepan Primary School, as part of a wider project focusing on raising the quality of rural education. Sadly, there is a big divide between the standard of education in the eastern and western provinces, and in particular within our rural schools, which often lag far behind their urban counterparts. 

"In October, I was one of 26 students tasked with designing an innovative classroom space that would support pupils to think holistically, work together and be creative. I was so proud when our design was chosen as a joint-winner, especially since staff and pupils from the school were part of the judging process. It means that elements from our design will now be taken forward as part of the development and build stage. Construction will take place by July next year, with the fully operational classroom due to open in December. 

"Project Gansu is an amazing opportunity for students like me to put the skills we learn through our degree into practice. Your support has given us the chance to do what we can to help younger generations realise their full potential."

Now YOU can choose which projects to support

Alongside our Cascade fund, this spring we're introducing a new way to help support our student projects by launching our exciting new crowdfunding platform - Impact Jumpstart.

Visit the website and you will find deserving student projects which need your support. You can then choose exactly where your gift goes.

jumpstart.hubbub.net