The Heart of Sustainability: How Community Involvement Powers Our Nutrition Program

The lifespan of many charity organisations is often startlingly short—most fold within just a few years, unable to sustain their work without consistent support. At The Sparkle Foundation, we have learned an essential truth: sustainability is not only about funding or resources. It is about involving the community. When people take ownership of a program, they ensure its longevity, impact, and meaningfulness. 

 

This principle guides our nutrition program, which provides breakfast and lunch to preschool and primary school children daily. But this program is not just about the meals—it is about the people who make them possible. Parents play an essential role, contributing firewood for cooking and dedicating their time and effort to preparing meals and cleaning dishes. Their involvement turns an ordinary program into a shared mission and a testament to the strength of collective action. 

Shared Ownership for Shared Success 

Every morning, guardians arrive at our three early childhood development centres, eager to help. With their assistance, we prepare breakfast and lunch, ensuring every child receives the nourishment needed to grow, learn, and thrive. Their involvement transforms meal preparation into a lively community activity, promoting a sense of shared purpose and pride. 

 

This hands-on involvement is not only practical but also transformative. By actively engaging, guardians become partners in their children's well-being. They demonstrate to their children that education and nutrition are important priorities that require collective effort. 

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Why Community Involvement Matters 

The guardians' contributions go far beyond maintaining the program; they are the lifeblood that fuels its success and impact. Their efforts create a ripple effect, strengthening the entire community. 

Ownership and Empowerment 

When guardians participate, they do more than offer help—they create something valuable. This sense of ownership empowers them, instilling pride in their contributions and reinforcing the importance of self-reliance. 

Sustainability 

Programs that rely solely on external funding are often vulnerable to setbacks. By involving the community, we reduce dependency on outside resources and ensure the program remains resilient, even during challenging times. 

Skill Sharing and Collaboration 

In the kitchen, guardians work together, sharing traditional cooking techniques and supporting one another. These interactions build social bonds and strengthen the network of support within the community. 

Role Modeling for Children 

When children see their guardians actively contributing to the program, they learn invaluable lessons about hard work, teamwork, and giving back. These lessons shape their values and prepare them to become active contributors to their communities in the future. 

Building a Sustainable Legacy 

The daily work of preparing meals at the Sparkle Centre showcases a community united by a shared purpose. As guardians chop vegetables, stir pots, and clean dishes, they forge connections, show commitment, and invest in their young ones' futures. 

This unity is the cornerstone of sustainability. When a program belongs to the people it serves, it grows stronger, more impactful, and more enduring. The parent's involvement ensures the program does not just survive—it thrives, creating a legacy for future generations. 

Looking Ahead 

At The Sparkle Foundation, we remain dedicated to involving the community in every step of our journey. The wardens’ contributions of firewood, time, and care remind us daily of what true sustainability looks like. Together, we have built something extraordinary. And together, we will ensure it lasts. 

Strengthening the Parent-Teacher Partnership: Strategies for Empowering Parents in Their Child’s Education

By chimwemwe gawa • July 11, 2025
A child’s academic journey is not just shaped by teachers and schools, it thrives when parents play an active role and the role of parents extends far beyond supporting homework and attending parent-teacher conferences. Research highlights that students perform better when their families are engaged in their education. But how can we empower parents to become effective partners in this process? By providing the right tools, fostering collaboration, and creating an inclusive environment, parents can contribute significantly to their child’s success. Let's explore some of the practical strategies that educators, schools, and communities can use to strengthen the parent-school partnership. These approaches not only enhance student achievement but also build a support system that benefits everyone involved. Provide Clear and Consistent Communication Establish open and regular communication channels between schools and parents. This includes newsletters, emails, phone calls, and even social media updates. Keeping parents informed about their child’s progress, school events, and initiatives encourages active participation. Teachers should be encouraged to provide both positive feedback and constructive insights, ensuring parents feel involved and know how to support their child’s academic journey. Offer Parent Education and Training Host workshops and training sessions to help parents better understand the curriculum, teaching methods, and educational standards. This can make parents feel more confident in assisting with homework or understanding school policies. Workshops could also address topics like managing screen time, promoting good study habits, or addressing mental health challenges children may face. As related to Lev Vygotsky theory which highlights the role of parents in providing scaffolding and support children’s learning and cognitive development.

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Menstrual Health Management (MHM) for Teenage Girls in Malawi: Breaking the Cycle of Period Poverty

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.
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