ABOUT

JOHN MATTHEWS

Following a successful career in Hospitality and Corporate Finance, John left his comfortable life as a Finance Director in the Middle East to build schools and educate children in the remote hills of Nepal. in 2009 John established the charity Children of the Mountain and to date John and his team have raised over £700,000, building 65 classrooms across 15 new primary schools, and opening 30 kindergartens. In the process, John created a unique social brand and an innovative equal education development model.

in 2021 John established the social enterprise Challenge for Change whose core purpose is to raise funds for his projects in Nepal.

John is a vocal advocate for equality of education as a means of providing equality of opportunity and changing lives. He has a particular passion for the education of children and the empowerment of young girls, believing that education is a fundamental human right, and gender equality is inextricably linked to the right of education for all. John is a proactive supporter of UNESCO’s Education 2030 vision.

Johns's passion is motivating others to understand their core values, find purpose, reach out connect and embrace the opportunity to have an impact.

John’s mantra is “Challenge yourself, change lives.’’

John is available as a speaker and development sector consultant.

JOHN’S VALUES:  INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, CURIOSITY, BOLDNESS