Sparkle Ball raises over £90,000

We held our first charity fundraising ball in the UK, raising more than £90,000, a huge feat for the charity and the sector during covid.

The event took place on Friday 8 October 2021, hosted over 325 guests at Braxted Park, Essex, and was a resounding success. Due to COVID-19, the event was postponed from October 2019, but has raised more than doubled the original goal of £40,000.


Funds raised by the Sparkle Ball will allow the charity to not only meet the budget for its programmes in Malawi, but will also help to expand Sparkle to new sites across Malawi. This is an outstanding achievement, given that since the start of the pandemic, Sparkle has struggled (alongside the rest of the charity sector) with fundraising efforts, and to date is approximately 40% under its 2021 fundraising targets.

 

The night of the Sparkle Ball saw guests bidding on a number of both live auction prizes, including stays at an Ibiza villa, a French ski chalet, and a Seychelles apartment. With bids on a silent auction platform and donations from guests on the night, the charity was completely overwhelmed by its success in raising over £90,000.

 

Sarah Brook, CEO and Founder of The Sparkle Foundation, said: “Three years ago, I was fundraising in my parents’ kitchen trying to generate £2,000 from 50 friends and family to keep some of The Sparkle Foundation children in Malawi in school. Fast forward to now and we have a sold-out event at one of the most prestigious venues in Essex, UK, after a pandemic, which has raised enough money to cover six months of our costs next year to support 10,000 people in Malawi.

 

“We are incredibly grateful to all our supporters. It is a proud moment for the charity to see how far we have come in such a short space of time and it is inspiring for me as the founder to see the acts of kindness shown by so many to make the event possible. This is just the start of what The Sparkle Foundation can do in the charity sector.”


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
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.

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