Day 2 Understanding Sparkle & Community Life

Begin the day by joining the children for Morning Circle, where songs, movement, and laughter set the tone and where your dance moves may be put to the test. You will then help the children wash their hands and serve them breakfast, taking part in the simple routines that support care and wellbeing.

Next you will join a literacy or numeracy class, offering you first-hand insight into the quality of education Sparkle’s students receive. In the afternoon, take part in a community walk, providing perspective on the wider environment in which families live.

Day 3 Skills Exchange & Leadership

Spend the day engaging in a skills-based exchange aligned to your professional expertise, working alongside the Sparkle team and, where applicable, Sparkle youth. This may include leadership workshops, strategy discussions, financial planning sessions, communications support, mentoring conversations, or collaborative problem-solving. Rather than delivering training, the focus is on shared learning and dialogue, offering space to exchange perspectives, build confidence, and explore leadership in different contexts. Many participants find this day particularly rewarding, as it highlights both the universality and adaptability of leadership skills.

Day 4 Culture, Food & Daily Life

Begin the day with a visit to an authentic local market, where families shop for their daily food and household needs. You’ll learn about locally grown fruits and vegetables, typical ingredients, and the dishes and recipes that form part of everyday Malawian life. This is followed by a Malawian cooking lesson, where you’ll prepare traditional dishes using the ingredients you’ve sourced, before sitting down together to share the meal. The day offers insight into culture, hospitality, and daily life, while creating relaxed moments of connection through a shared experience.

Day 5 Sustainability & Legacy

Spend the day at the Sparkle Farm, learning how food security and sustainable farming practices are integrated into long-term community wellbeing. You’ll gain insight into how the farm supports nutrition, education, and resilience across Sparkle’s programmes. The day concludes with a legacy activity, such as planting a tree, offering a quiet moment of reflection and a lasting connection to your Sparkle journey and the community.

Day 6 Safari Day

Spend the day on a safari in Liwonde National Park, one of Malawi’s most important conservation areas. As you explore the park, you’ll experience Malawi’s wildlife and landscapes while learning about conservation efforts and the relationship between natural ecosystems and local communities. This day offers time away from structured activities, creating space for reflection, informal conversation, and team connection.

Day 7 Zomba Plateau & Farewell BBQ

Travel to the Zomba Plateau for a hike through forest trails, viewpoints, and waterfalls, offering space to slow down and take in Malawi’s natural beauty. Time in nature provides a different perspective on the journey and a chance for informal conversations and reflection. The day concludes with a closing reflection session, bringing together insights on leadership, purpose, and personal growth, followed by a farewell BBQ with the Sparkle team - a relaxed and celebratory way to mark the end of the this experience.

Day 8 Departure

Depart Malawi with a deeper understanding of Sparkle’s work, the communities impacted, and the shared experiences that have shaped the journey. Many participants leave with renewed perspective, stronger team connection, and a lasting sense of purpose.