I am a second year Geography and International Relations student at the University of St Andrews and Laidlaw Scholar. My research focuses on the long-term, gendered economic effects of dual caregiving, specifically how social class origin shapes retirement wealth outcomes for the sandwich generation. Outside of research, you'll find me on the golf course or taking a walk along the beautiful beaches in this small town!
I am an undergraduate Laidlaw scholar from the University of St Andrews in Scotland currently conducting my research project. My research investigates the motivational drivers behind China's Environmentalism.
Hello, my name is Hannah Treagus, I'm a current 3rd year psychology student at The University of St Andrews. My research project titled "Exploring the Impact of Wellbeing Intervention Strategies on Master’s Students: Valuing the Student Voice" is focused on exploring and advocating for the underrepresented voice of postgraduate taught (PGT) students. I'll be working with a group of postgraduate students to create a student-led intervention that can hopefully be utilised globally as a wellbeing tool.
I have a significant interest in Educational Psychology but would love to connect with scholars of any discipline.
I also love travel, photography, baking and horse riding in my free time and am always up for a chat!
Star Top Community School was founded by Mercy and Isaac Sakala in Ng'ombe, an underserved settlement in Lusaka, after first running as a tuition centre for children struggling at school. Its mission is to provide affordable, high-quality primary education to children who might otherwise fall through the gaps of an overcrowded system. Alongside lessons, the school offers an eight-hour day, a free daily meal and moral as well as academic teaching, and encourages students to go on to secondary school.
Responsibilities & Ideal Background
Scholars teach across a range of subjects and age groups, helping to ease understaffing. Day to day, this involves lesson planning, teaching, marking and pastoral care. Past scholars have also taught music, dance, yoga, storytelling and first aid, prepared students for exams and created grammar resources and promotional videos for the school. Scholars are given a lot of responsibility for a large number of children, and the work is demanding but deeply rewarding.
A good fit is someone patient, positive and service-minded, who is happy to adapt to the school's needs rather than arriving with fixed plans. Teaching experience helps, but any experience with children is valuable. Scholars live with the Sakala family on the school site and are welcomed as part of the family. For safety reasons, there is little opportunity to walk around the compound or sightsee independently, so it helps to plan placement dates alongside other scholars.
LiA Champions
Curious about this project but not sure where to start? Our LiA Champions can share candid insights from teaching at Star Top: what the classroom is like, how to prepare and what life with the Sakala family involves.
Cothney Lasaracina (University of Leeds) Contact via the Laidlaw Scholars Network:
View profile
Rebecca Cole (Cornell University) Email: rmc343@cornell.edu · Phone: +1 512 591 5331 View profile
Grace Stephens-Spada (University of St Andrews) Email: gracestephensspada@icloud.com · Phone: +44 7380 289742 View profile
Henry Farmer (University of St Andrews) Email: hf70@st-andrews.ac.uk · Phone: +44 7577 759955 View profile
Organisation Contact
Mercy Mbewe Sakala, Headteacher Email: mercymsakala@gmail.com
SOS Children’s Villages supports children who have lost or risk losing parental care by providing family-like care and strengthening vulnerable families to prevent separation. In South Africa, programmes include village-based care, foster care, and youth development, prioritising safety, education, and wellbeing through long-term, community-embedded support.
Responsibilities & Ideal Background
Work that connects Scholars with children and the local community where they can make a visible difference.
A good fit is someone compassionate, adaptable, and reliable, with experience (or strong interest) in youth work, psychology/social work, education, or community arts. You should be comfortable facilitating groups, diffusing conflict, maintaining boundaries, and adapting to resource-limited settings. Bonus skills include trauma-informed practice, play- or arts-based facilitation, and basic project coordination. The impact is direct and human, with lasting relationships and outcomes.
LiA Champions
Our LiA Champions are Helen Henwood and Youness Robert-Tahiri. Curious about this project but not sure where to start? They can share candid insights from their experiences—what the work involved, skills that proved useful, and pointers for exploring a good fit. Please contact them via the Laidlaw Scholars Network:
https://laidlawscholars.network/users/helen-henwood
https://laidlawscholars.network/users/youness-robert-tahiri
Organisation Contact
SOS Children’s Villages South Africa
Email: zama.mbele@sos.org.za