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 guided community walk, providing perspective on the wider environment in which families live.

Day 3 Volunteering Together

Spend the day taking part in family-friendly activities at a Sparkle site, with opportunities adapted by age and ability. This may include reading with primary school children during the after-school programme, arts and crafts with nursery children such as making bracelets or finger-painted cards or joining a football training session or a friendly game of netball with the youth. These shared activities create natural moments of connection and fun, allowing families to engage alongside one another while experiencing daily life at Sparkle in a respectful and meaningful way.

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

Visit the Sparkle Farm to learn how food security and sustainable practices support long-term community wellbeing. Children often enjoy seeing where food is grown and understanding how the farm connects to education and nutrition. Families then take part in a legacy activity, such as planting a tree, creating a lasting connection to Sparkle and the journey you’ve shared.

Day 6 Safari Day

Enjoy a full-day safari in Liwonde National Park, offering families an unforgettable shared experience in nature. Alongside wildlife sightings, the day introduces conservation and the relationship between natural ecosystems and local communities. It’s a day of excitement, discovery, and connection often remembered long after the journey ends.

Day 7 Zomba Plateau & Botanical Garden walk with monkeys

Travel to the Zomba Plateau for a family-friendly hike or nature walk, with sweeping views and time to slow down together, followed by a visit to the Botanical Gardens. The journey concludes with a celebration and farewell BBQ with the Sparkle team, offering space to reflect, share memories, and mark the end of the experience as a family.

Day 8 Departure

Depart Malawi with shared memories, new perspectives, and a deeper sense of connection - both as a family and to the communities you’ve encountered.