Sparkle Sports Tournament

The Sparkle Foundation host a sports tournament in Mulunguzi

On 12th December 2022, The Sparkle Foundation Malawi hosted a sports tournament at Mulunguzi Secondary School ground in Zomba. Over five primary schools from both private and government owned spaces participated in the tournament which run for the whole day. There were football tournaments for under 9 girls and boys and one for under 19 boys while and a netball tournament for girls and women.                                                                                                                                                                             

The Sparkle primary children, the youth group and women’s group were all involved in the tournament which was sponsored by Soccerkids Academy Dubai with the objective to inspire and discover sporting spirits in children and expand their career opportunities while developing their physical and mental strength.


It was a tough day for both Sparkle football teams as both the under 9 children’s team and under 19 youth team failed to reach the finals. The Sparkle under 9 boys team got 3rd position in the under 9 boys football games which were won by Chikamveka Primary School team. In the under 19 youth football games, the Sparkle youth team also got 3rd position, losing to Mbedza youth group football team who went on to win the competition.

In the netball games, the Sparkle youth team won the girls category while the women’s category was won by Njonjo team after outclassing four other teams including the Sparkle staff team.


Winners of the respective games walked away with the trophy and individual prizes including medals, football and netball tops were given to individuals who were spectacular for their teams.                         

By chimwemwe gawa June 20, 2025
Storytelling, Impact, and the Challenges of Ethical Photogography
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.
By chimwemwe gawa June 6, 2025
Teaching really is an art. It’s not just about passing on knowledge, it’s about nurturing curiosity, guiding young minds and helping to shape the future. And in Early Childhood Development, or ECD, this couldn’t be more true. These early years are when children begin to discover who they are and how the world works. What they learn – and how they’re taught – can have a lasting impact on the rest of their lives. To make that impact count, ECD teachers need more than just passion. They need the right skills, the right mindset, and the willingness to grow alongside the children they teach. Here are a few key areas every ECD teacher should embrace to make a real, lasting difference. Creating A Supportive And Well-Managed Classroom Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and inspired when they step into the classroom. Good classroom management doesn’t mean being strict for the sake of it, it means creating an environment where children feel confident to explore and express themselves. It’s about clear routines, mutual respect and a lot of patience. Children thrive when they know what to expect and feel secure in their surroundings. And when the classroom feels calm and consistent, learning becomes something joyful rather than stressful. At this stage of life, it's not just about what they learn, but how they feel while they’re learning. A positive classroom can build confidence, resilience and a genuine love for education..
More Posts