Sarah’s trip to Malawi

Home is where the heart is and my heart happens to be in three locations – the UK, UAE and Malawi.

Due to Covid-19 and travel restrictions my journey to Malawi via Dubai in December 2020 ended up being cancelled, and with the UK imposing hotel quarantine on all international flights, I was left with no choice but to remain in Dubai until I could travel again.


In April 2021 I was finally given the green light. A year and a half of waiting to visit the kids, the staff, the volunteers, my neighbours, my friends… I was beyond excited.


Surprising everyone in Malawi was everything and more that I could have wished for. The look on the team’s faces, the tears, the cheers and of course the panic of ‘oh no the CEO is here’ were priceless.

It is difficult to put into words how proud I felt seeing the growth the organisation has gone through since I left. The change not only in the look of the site but also the feel. At times I actually felt like a visitor. Was it strange? Yes. But being an outsider of my own project means success. For charities to work effectively they must be community led. They must be run by locals and be driven by those who want to create brighter futures for Malawi. All the late nights, the tears, the failures, the times I truthfully felt like giving up, suddenly made sense and it was a pinch yourself moment when I realised what I had dreamt about, had finally come true.


Social media may paint the perfect picture of how things are in Malawi and for those people who have been over to Sparkle, they will be able to see the changes of the site and how far we have come – but just because Sparkle is shinier than before, does not mean the need in the village isn’t still greater than ever. Over the years the demographic in the surrounding villages has changed significantly. What was once a rural area is now semi-urban. There are gated houses, BMW’s on the dirt roads and even a double storey house! People have moved into the area due to proximity to Zomba, and for many these are second houses for those who live elsewhere and want a holiday home near the plateau. Zomba is renowned for its scenery and modest temperatures which make it an attractive place to buy.


So what does this mean for our beneficiaries?


Truthfully most of them are NOMADS. They don’t have homes; they often stay in buildings for free which are under construction which is not only dangerous from a security perspective, but also risky health wise as often there are no windows, doors or even roofs, increasing the chances of catching malaria.  Their parents – if they have any, have travelled to the village in desperation of trying to pick up piece work from wealthy Malawians, and more often than not mothers are having to turn to prostitution to make ends meet. The impact on the child is huge, and the emotional and social challenges they face on a daily basis is heart breaking.


Sparkle has successfully implemented an education programme, a feeding programme and a health clinic which is brilliant – but long term as we don’t ever want to house the children permanently on our campus, it is now time to focus our efforts on the community and empowering the parents to be able to support their own families. This change doesn’t happen overnight and with Sparkle located in such a transient place, we never know how long we have our children and parents for, but either way we need your support more than ever to help us complete the last part of the puzzle. Every parent no matter where they are around the world want the best for their children. If we can give our communities the tools to be able to do this, we know what impact we can make long term and really create brighter futures for the families we support.


So what now?


I said in 2016 I wanted to have Sparkle sites all around Malawi and in another country. Did I really believe it? No. However we are now embarking on our three year strategy to replicate Sparkle in other areas of Malawi and by 2024 in a different part of Africa. I don’t know if we will meet the timelines but I do know we will make it happen. Where there is a will there is always a way and with our donors and volunteers around the world behind us, I know anything is possible.


Thank you and please keep spreading the Sparkle.



Together we can make a difference.


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

Learning Poverty: The Silent Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa

By Alexandr Tsarev • March 16, 2026
Malawi faces a severe learning crisis, but quality education and free secondary schooling offer hope for empowering children and shaping a stronger future.

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.

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.