Jill Jumps into the New Year: Stranmillis Lecturer Takes 15,000-Foot Leap to Support Education in India

A Stranmillis University College lecturer is preparing to take a 15,000-foot leap of faith this February to raise vital funds for children’s education in India, ahead of a transformative international placement for student teachers. 

Jill Magennis, who is leading a Stranmillis University College team to India this spring, will complete a sponsored skydive with Skydive Ireland in support of Saphara, an education charity working with marginalised communities across India. 

12 Year 3 BEd students from Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College have been selected to take part in the programme and will travel to India in April. During the visit, students will work in partnership with teachers in Saphara’s schools, gaining first-hand experience of how education can transform lives in contexts of poverty. 

The group’s main placement will be at SNEHA Doon Academy in Dehradun, where more than 1,000 children from marginalised communities are educated. Students will support Literacy and Numeracy teaching, engage in professional dialogue with local teachers and deepen their understanding of how social, cultural and economic contexts shape schooling. The visit will also include time at Kaplani High School in the Himalayan region, further enriching students’ global and cultural awareness. 

Speaking ahead of the skydive, Jill said: 

 “I believe this amazing opportunity to visit India will be life-changing for our students and for the children and teachers they will work alongside. Education has the power to create opportunity, security and hope — and that’s why I’m quite literally jumping out of my comfort zone to support this important work.” 

Every £100 raised through the fundraiser will provide a full year of education for a child, covering school fees, uniform, shoes, books, stationery and daily meals.  

Crucially, this support also helps keep girls safely in education, protecting them from forced marriage and trafficking, while empowering them to reach their full potential. 

All funds raised will go directly to Saphara’s education programmes in India. 

Donations can be made via Jill’s fundraising page: https://saphara.enthuse.com/pf/jillmagennisjumpforsaphara  

Read more about the impactful work of Saphara here.