The fashion and textiles student

Leaving her family in Malawi was a tough choice for Rose Kaleke

I left Malawi in 2005. I wanted to study fashion and textiles, but there were no suitable courses in my country. It was hard to leave my family. I have a husband and three children aged 23, 21 and 16. I haven't seen them for two years.

When I left Malawi, my husband was working. Then he lost his job and had to sell some of our property to pay my course fees. I work part time, 20 hours a week in a care home. This just about covers my rent, bills, food and weekly travel card.

I rent a room in a flat in Edgware, in north London. It can be lonely, coming home to one room every night when you're used to living in a house with your family.

The culture is different here, but everyone is friendly. I'm the oldest in my class at college. Most of the students are young girls, but I mix easily. They tell me I am brave. They tell me they could never do what I am doing. I tell them that you have to make sacrifices to achieve what you want out of life.

Next year, I'm hoping to go to Bournemouth University, so I can make my qualification up to a degree. I'd like to go home during the summer break, but a flight will cost at least £500. I'm not sure I'll be able to afford it.

When I decided to do this course, I was running a shop, selling ready-made clothes. People in Malawi like to buy clothes that are made to measure, or can be altered to fit them. The skills I learn on this course will help me make a better business at home. When you have your own business, you help reduce poverty, which is a big problem in Malawi. When I reopen my shop, I'd like to employ people with disabilities. They have so much to offer but are often overlooked for work.

· Rose Kaleke is studying for an HND in fashion and textiles at Barnet College