Escaping poverty isn’t easy, unless you’re taught. That’s the message that Christel DeHaan sends out to the world from her schools for poor children spread over four continents. MSN Education caught up with the jovial philanthropist who has dedicated her life to the underprivileged.

Christel DeHaan places her steaming cup of cappuccino back on its saucer and, with a glowing smile, says, "My platter is full."

Indeed, it is.

Clad in a simple beige salwar kameez and brown wedge-heeled sandals, her hair immaculately coiffed, the 68-year-old is a picture of serenity. Indeed, she looks every bit the jovial, loving grandmother.

However, it's her sharp, twinkling blue eyes that betray her energy and enthusiasm. They are a testament to the work she has put in more than 12 years building schools in some of the world's poorest places for students she unfailingly refers to as "our children".

Christel DeHaan is the founder of Christel House International, a network of schools -- learning centres, DeHaan calls them -- in four continents. The first came up in Mexico in 1998, and, in 12 years, schools have sprouted in South Africa, Venezuela, USA, and, of course, in India.

That DeHaan takes her work seriously is a no-brainer. When this interview was being set up, I was asked what questions I would ask. "DeHaan wants to speak only about Christel House," I was told.