Global Law Firm Clifford Chance partners with The Sparkle Foundation

International law firm Clifford Chance has partnered with The Sparkle Foundation (Sparkle), an award-winning UK-registered charity, as one of its global pro bono charities.

Sparkle and Clifford Chance have been collaborating since the charity’s inception in 2015. The beginning of Sparkle’s relationship with the firm started when teams of Clifford Chance staff in the Middle East proposed solutions to some of Sparkle’s biggest problems at that time, which included the need for additional dining and learning space for children in the Sparkle community, as well as offices for the growing team. This undertaking resulted in the most successful proposal being implemented in Malawi, (assessed by experts in the social impact field, in true “Dragons Den” style), resulting in the creation of an outdoor dining space that also doubled up for performances, two new classrooms built to welcome over 100 additional children to the primary school afterschool programme, and two offices constructed for the team on the ground.

 

Over a six-year period, Sparkle has worked to create a sustainable, replicable model and Clifford Chance employees from around the world have supported in providing over 1,500 hours of legal and non-legal support, as well as over 45 hours of training to Sparkle staff members, community members and children. Training areas have ranged from topics including governance, strategy, risk and GDPR, to sports and arts and crafts.

 

In addition to financial donations, Clifford Chance employees have provided office equipment, clothes, toys, electronic equipment, fans and a playground set, to help Sparkle build new classrooms, offices and dining rooms. Furthermore, Martin Waud (the Firm’s Regional Finance Manager, Middle East) and David Towers (Partner, UK) have joined Sparkle’s board of trustees as Finance Trustee and Legal and Governance Trustee respectively.

 

Sarah Brook, Sparkle CEO and Founder, commented: “We are thrilled and honoured that The Sparkle Foundation has been selected as a partner to The Clifford Chance Foundation, alongside charities such as Save The Children and the Autistic Society. It is a dream come true to see the small passion project trying to make a difference to a few lives now gaining support and recognition from one of the world’s leading law firms. We are excited to see how many more lives we can now positively change together.”

 

Gavin Goodwin, Clifford Chance’s Regional Chief Operating Officer, Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are delighted to formally partner with The Sparke Foundation through the Clifford Chance Foundation. We have been impressed by the positive, sustainable impact the charity has made in Malawi and have enjoyed working with them over the past six years. We look forward to helping them grow and to seeing The Sparkle Foundation’s self-sustainable model replicated across new sites.”



African children in a classroom setting. A little girl is holding a book and looking at the camera

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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
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The Power of a School Meal: Strength for Learning and Life

By Madalitso Gamphani • September 26, 2025
Imagine being a young child, sitting in class with an empty stomach. The teacher is speaking, but the words drift past without meaning. Your mind is on the hunger gnawing at you, not on the lesson. When break time comes, instead of running to play with your friends, you sit quietly, too tired to join in. Hunger steals more than just food. It takes away concentration, joy, and the chance to thrive. Now, imagine the same child after receiving a simple, nutritious school meal. Suddenly, the story changes. With a full stomach, their mind sharpens. They can focus on the teacher’s voice, write neatly in their exercise book, and raise their hand with confidence. At break time, they laugh, run, and play with friends. That meal does more than fill an empty belly. It fuels learning, energy, and growth. At The Sparkle Foundation, we see this transformation every day. We provide nutritious meals to about 240 children daily. Our preschool children receive both breakfast and lunch, giving them the energy they need to start the day well and the strength to keep learning and playing throughout the day. For our primary school children, we provide lunch before they begin their afternoon lessons, ensuring they can sit in class with full stomachs and clear minds.