The Sparkle Foundation is proud to celebrate a major milestone: the graduation of Cohort One from the Job Readiness Programme, delivered in partnership with NAMA Women Advancement and with the support of HeR Liberty Malawi. Over six weeks, participants worked through a full curriculum designed to build practical, real-world skills in digital literacy, business management and financial planning. The Sparkle Foundation designed the programme to meet women where they are, equipping them not just with theory, but with tools they can put to use immediately in their own lives and livelihoods.

From 1 September, Amèlie will take on 200 km over the course of a month, sharing her training, runs, progress and fundraising journey along the way. For a 12-year-old, it is an incredible commitment. But Amèlie knows exactly why she is doing it

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 Sparkle Foundation. 

The Sparkle Foundation has been named a finalist in the Community Building category of the 2026 .ORG Impact Awards, a global programme run by Public Interest Registry (PIR), the nonprofit steward of the .ORG domain. The awards celebrate mission driven organisations from across the world for the meaningful, measurable change they create in their communities, and we are proud to be recognised among this year's finalists. For The Sparkle Foundation, this nomination reflects more than a decade of work in Zomba, Malawi, where we have built an integrated model of education, healthcare, nutrition and livelihoods support designed to break the cycle of poverty at its roots. 

UK government funding to Malawi is on track to drop by around 90 per cent within two years, from K117.9 billion down to K11.7 billion by 2028. The figures emerged in Parliament last week, where Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha faced questions from MP Francis Belekanyama on how such a steep reduction would affect budget delivery. The Minister's position was that the national budget itself is not at risk, since the reduction had already been built into government planning.  Where he was less reassuring was on who absorbs the impact. Per the report, it is Malawi's NGOs, not the state, that are expected to feel this most, given how many rely on UK funding to run health, education and social protection work.

This June, The Sparkle Foundation began a new chapter in its work with women and youth in Malawi. The Job Readiness Programme launched with its first cohort of participants, marking the start of a six-week course designed to build the practical, financial and personal skills needed to earn a sustainable living. 

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 Sparkle Foundation. 

We are incredibly proud to partner with Haileybury, an independent school in Hertford, United Kingdom, whose students consistently demonstrate a strong commitment to service, leadership and global citizenship. Through initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, students have supported The Sparkle Foundation by organising creative fundraising events that make a tangible difference to the communities we serve in Malawi. One such student is Eva Kinsey, who was part of the team that organised a community quiz night in support of our Medical Outreach Programme. Eva kindly wrote the reflection below, capturing the experience from a student's perspective. We are delighted to share her account of the evening and the impact that was made.

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 Guests Sam McCone is Managing Partner at McCone Properties, with over 30 years in Dubai and 13 years helping investors make better property decisions in one of the world's most competitive real estate markets. Candice McCone is a Trauma Release Practitioner and Human Garage Fascia Maneuver Coach, dedicated to helping people navigate and release trauma from the body. Together, they are two of The Sparkle Foundation's most committed supporters, bringing not just financial backing, but genuine presence, personal challenge, and a whole company along with them.