From Bake Sales to 40,000 Dirhams: How One 18-Year-Old is Changing Lives

The Sparkle Foundation Podcast is where we shine a light on the extraordinary people behind our mission: volunteers, changemakers, and champions who show up, roll up their sleeves, and prove that one person really can make a difference. Each episode is an honest, unscripted conversation about what drives people to give back, and what happens when they do. Hosted by Sarah Brook, Founder and CEO of the The Sparkle Foundation.


Meet Our Guest


Reihan Sagar is an 18-year-old student at Brighton College Dubai, currently serving as Head Pupil. Since joining The Sparkle Foundation in October 2024, he has raised over 40,000 dirhams for children in Malawi through bake sales, a school-wide t-shirt design competition, a raffle, and a secondhand uniform drive. He was recently awarded the Ed Goodwin Award by BSME (British Schools Middle East) for his outstanding contribution to the charity.


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"There Are People Who Want to Drive Change — They Just Need the Opportunity"


When Reihan first heard about The Sparkle Foundation on social media, he didn't plan to launch a movement. He just wanted to help. "I just thought I'll do a small fundraiser," he explains. "I started off with a bake sale and a non-uniform day. I just wanted to raise awareness."


What followed was anything but small. Over 300 cakes sold in 20 minutes. A t-shirt design competition that drew entries from Year 5 through Year 13, resulting in 180 t-shirts sold in just three days. A raffle with over 600 entries. A secondhand uniform drive that sent clothes directly to Malawi. By the end, Reihan had raised 40,000 dirhams — all while sitting his school exams.


"I had surgery on the same day as one of my exams," he recalls. "Then the next three days I went straight into fundraising."


Roots, Responsibility, and the Concept of Daan


Reihan's motivation isn't abstract. He grew up in Singapore with African roots — two grandparents born in Kenya, a father who grew up in Zambia. He's seen the contrast between privilege and poverty firsthand.


"I have roots there and people are shaped by the situation they're born into. Now I'm in a much more fortunate position. I feel it's almost bestowed upon me to give back to that part of my heritage."


His family instilled in him a concept called daan, a sacred act of giving in Hinduism, regarded as one of the highest virtues. His siblings are equally charitable: his brother worked with a cancer charity in Singapore, his sister painted houses for migrant workers. Giving back isn't an extracurricular for Reihan. It's a family value.


Balancing Exams, Extracurriculars, and a Fundraising Campaign


One of the most common reasons young people give for not getting involved in charity is time. Reihan pushes back on that firmly: "I could sit there and spend maybe 30 minutes on TikTok, but I could also spend that same 30 minutes sending emails, reaching out to people, making a poster."


He's also candid about the moments of doubt, particularly when the school couldn't fit his raffle announcement into assembly with just three days' notice. Rather than give up, he proposed a video. A teacher told him it probably wasn't realistic. By 1pm the following day, Reihan had filmed, edited (with effects, he proudly shares!) and submitted it. "I think that created a greater trust in what I do. They were like, okay, maybe he can do more. This guy's not going away."


Building Something That Lasts: Legacy Beyond One Year


With his final year of school drawing to a close, Reihan has been thinking carefully about what he leaves behind. Not just funds raised, but a culture of giving.


He's established a team of 12 student Sparkle ambassadors, all drawn from pupils who approached him wanting to help. Teachers are now exploring the possibility of a school trip to Malawi. And the school's approach to The Sparkle Foundation has shifted from occasional events to embedded ethos.


"I've had year eights come up to me saying, how can I help? I was inspired by your assembly. That makes it all worth it — knowing that I'm not just making an impact, but that people are being impacted by what I'm saying beyond just Malawi."


His philosophy is one of stewardship: going somewhere and leaving it in a better place than when you came. He's careful not to let that become a cliché. "Sometimes you need to ask yourself: are you actually being a part of the change? Or are you part of the problem?" says Reihan.


The Role of Social Media in Charitable Giving


Reihan found The Sparkle Foundation through social media. Not through a conversation, not through a school programme, but through a post.


For Sarah, that moment represents something significant. "With no marketing budget, that has been a 10-year slog of sharing the day-to-day life of what we're doing in Malawi. And clearly it has paid off, because it brought you to us," she shares.


Reihan believes social media is one of the most underutilised tools in the charity sector. Not just for donations, but for awareness: "If you can do the same for something like the latest football transfer — liking a post, reposting something — the same thing can happen for a post about charity, and it can go on to impact people's lives in a way you wouldn't expect."


What's Next: University, Malawi, and a Lifelong Commitment


Reihan is heading to the UK to study law. He's also helping his brother launch a tutoring business rooted in community benefit. And he's committed, live on this podcast, to staying involved with Sparkle.


Malawi is next on the agenda and Sarah couldn't be more excited for that moment. "You've put all the effort in, you've really helped fly the Sparkle flag. But to go over there and actually experience it, to hear the joy, the smiles of the kids, that's even more life-changing. I want that for you more than ever," she says.


As for what success looks like in 10 years, Reihan keeps it simple: "Have I done more than what I did before? As long as I've raised more awareness or done more in those 365 days — that's a success. That's how I would measure it."


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How to Get Involved


If Reihan's story has inspired you, there's never been a better time to join the Sparkle community. Whether you're a student, a parent, a teacher, or a business, there's a role for you. As Reihan puts it: "Don't hesitate. Just do it. And make sure you enjoy what you're doing — because the more you enjoy it, the more impact it will make."

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By Thomas Hosier • April 6, 2026
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NAMA Women Advancement Teams Up with The Sparkle Foundation for Sustainable Transformation in Malawi

By Talhia Le Berre • March 9, 2026
In Malawi, the journey to economic independence is often hindered long before adulthood begins. Only 16% of children start secondary school , and of these, just a quarter graduate . For girls and rural communities, these numbers drop even further. Families struggle to pay school fees, students walk long distances to reach classrooms, and overcrowded schools stretch limited resources. These challenges do more than affect educational outcomes — they reinforce cycles of poverty that limit opportunities for women and youth for generations. Many face restricted access to employable skills, financial literacy, mentorship, and capital , while societal norms too often undermine their confidence and voice. At The Sparkle Foundation, we believe that when women and guardians thrive, children flourish. That’s why we are proud to announce a powerful new collaboration driving sustainable change. A Partnership with Purpose: NAMA Women Advancement x The Sparkle Foundation We're honoured to partner with NAMA Women Advancement, a UAE-based organisation committed to elevating women’s economic participation and building inclusive, resilient communities worldwide. Together, we have launched Spark to Success , a two-year initiative that will uplift 200 underserved women, youth, and their families in Zomba, Malawi by equipping them with practical skills, financial tools, and pathways to economic independence. This project focuses on the mothers and guardians of children enrolled in our Early Childhood Development programme, the pillars of their households and communities. When they have access to dignified, sustainable livelihoods, entire families are strengthened. About the Spark to Success Initiative Spark to Success tackles systemic barriers head-on by delivering a diverse range of vocational and business-building skills, including: Tailoring Information Technology Weaving Solar panel installation Sustainable farming Financial literacy Business mentorship Career counselling By the end of the programme: 100 participants will launch their own small enterprises through seed funding 100 will be supported to pursue meaningful employment opportunities The ripple effect is enormous, reaching approximately 1,200 people as families gain access to better nutrition, financial stability, and improved educational pathways for their children. Early Impact: Skills Delivered, Confidence Built Though the programme is still in its early stages, the transformation has already begun. 28 women across two villages have completed Solar Panel Installation Training Over 50 participants have received Financial Literacy and Business Development coaching Not only are these women gaining technical expertise, but they are also building confidence, financial autonomy, and the power to lead change within their communities. This is what sustainable transformation looks like. Gratitude to NAMA Women Advancement We extend our heartfelt thanks to NAMA Women Advancement for their trust, commitment, and belief in our mission. Your partnership is more than a collaboration. It is a catalyst for generational change. Together, we are demonstrating a powerful truth : When you empower a woman, you strengthen a family. When families are stable, children thrive. And when children thrive, communities transform. This is not short-term aid. This is long-term, lasting impact.