From YouTube Tutorials to Lifesaving Care

Sparkle's Clinic Transformation

What started as a humble first-aid post, with Aida and Sarah relying on YouTube for basic medical advice, has evolved into a lifeline for the community. Today, Sparkle’s clinic sees up to 80 patients a day, staffed by two clinicians and a nurse, making it one of the few free healthcare options in the area. For many children, it’s the first time they’ve ever been seen by a healthcare professional.

A Critical Lifeline for the Community

In Malawi, where many children are born at home and rarely see a doctor, our clinic offers hope. We conduct malnutrition screenings using MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference), deliver essential medications, and provide much-needed medical attention. The growth of our services is a direct response to the overwhelming need in our community.

Yet, challenges remain. Importing medications is fraught with regulatory hurdles, rising costs, and logistical issues. Keeping the clinic stocked and compliant requires meticulous planning, regular stock checks, and strict accountability - ensuring every donor dollar makes a difference.

Expanding Our Reach

We’re not stopping at the clinic. Sparkle is now conducting outreaches in our communities and in our other site Namitembo, raising health awareness and bringing preventative care directly to underserved communities. For families who can’t reach us, we’re taking healthcare to them.

Strength Through Collaboration

Partnerships have been instrumental in transforming our impact. In the past, we’ve worked with Matwale Healthcare to deliver polio and cholera vaccinations and Operation Smile to identify children in need of cleft palate surgery.These collaborations have helped us provide specialised care and reach more families in need.

Now, we are seeking collaborations with opticians, dentists, specialists, and physiotherapists to further expand our services. Many children in our community have never had their eyesight tested or received dental care, and we want to ensure they get access to these critical services. By partnering with like-minded medical organisations, we aim to fill these gaps and deliver holistic healthcare to every child who needs it.



Sparkle’s clinic has come a long way, but the journey isn’t over. With your support and the strength of new collaborations, we can continue to bring hope and healing to the most vulnerable. Together, we can make healthcare accessible for all. Contact @Ilona de Sainte Marie fore more information.

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Menstrual Health Management (MHM) for Teenage Girls in Malawi: Breaking the Cycle of Period Poverty

By Priyani Gangopadhyay • June 13, 2025
By: Priyani Gangopadhyay In light of the recent World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrated on 28th May 2025 under the theme "Together for a Period-Friendly World," I have written this article to share what I’ve learnt about the hardships teenage girls in Malawi face when it comes to managing their menstrual hygiene, how it impacts their dignity, daily lives, education, and the inspiring work being done to support them. Growing up in a high-income country, I, like most teenage girls, have always had easy access to things like sanitary pads, girls' toilets, and cleaning facilities—necessities we often take for granted during our periods. Sadly, for countless teenage girls in low-income countries like Malawi, these basic needs for managing their periods are simply out of reach. My understanding of this situation significantly deepened after speaking with senior members of The Sparkle Foundation Team. Joshua Ojiezele (Volunteer Coordinator) and Vanessa Hamilton (Project Co-ordinator) kindly shared invaluable insights. I also had the opportunity to speak with Frances Chisi (Community Officer) and Dr Sibongile Ndala (Clinician) who work directly with children in rural Malawi. What I heard from them deeply moved me, and I spent considerable time conducting my own research to truly grasp the heartbreaking realities. Understanding Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Menstruation is a natural biological process experienced by the girls and adult women of reproductive age. Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) refers to how they access, use, and dispose of menstrual products safely and hygienically during their periods. Proper MHM is not merely about comfort and cleanliness; inadequate MHM can lead to severe health consequences such as urinary tract infections, genital tract infections, and skin diseases in private areas.2 Furthermore, MHM is intrinsically linked to general health, mental well-being, educational attainment, dignity, and self-esteem, making it not only essential but also a basic human right. Effective MHM means having access to: Menstrual hygiene materials such as sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual caps or clean cloths. Supportive supplies such as soap, clean underwear and pain relief medicines. WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure providing clean toilets, clean water, washing areas. Education and awareness around menstrual health and hygiene which are vital for breaking taboos and promoting safe practices.
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