My First Trip to Dubai

My First Trip Outside Malawi: Finance Manager’s Insights from the Finance Leadership and Excellence Summit in Dubai 

I was full of excitement when I got presented with the opportunity to travel to Dubai by my employer, The Sparkle Foundation. Leaving Malawi for the first time, to one of the most beautiful cities in the world and later being granted the incredible opportunity to attend the Finance Leadership and Excellence Summit (FELS) felt like a dream come true. Join me as I take you through my time in Dubai. 

  

Arriving in Dubai, I was awestruck by the city’s modernity and vibrancy. The summit took place at the luxurious JW Marriott Marquis, and from the moment I stepped in, I knew I was in for an unforgettable experience. 

  

The summit was packed with valuable sessions, featuring top-notch speakers like Fazeela Gopalani, Head of ACCA, Middle East, and Dr. Corrie Block. They discussed essential topics such as sustainability, 6 Pillars of Executive Performance, Integrity and Ethical Challenges, digital transformation, and emotional intelligence in finance. One key takeaway was the importance of combining strategic thinking, analytics, and communication skills. I learned that finance professionals with these skills can drive significant revenue growth for their organizations. 

  

Leadership was a central theme at the summit. It became clear that leading with integrity, empathy, and accountability is crucial for any finance team. I was particularly inspired by the discussion on emotional intelligence by Gwen Van Bern e-CMA. He highlighted how well-connected employees are more effective and motivated, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships within teams. 

  

Interactive workshops and panel discussions provided further insights. Topics ranged from mastering chaos in turbulent times to the future of finance with AI tools like Chat GPT. These sessions underscored the importance of staying adaptable and forward-thinking in our ever-evolving field. 

 

Networking was another highlight of my experience. I met finance professionals from over 45 different nationalities, interacted with my mentor forging connections that I hope will lead to future collaborations. Sharing experiences and learning from peers around the world was truly enriching. 

 

Apart from attending the Finance Leadership and Excellence Summit (FELS) I had the privilege to be offered an ACCA scholarship by phoenix financial training through our board member. I later visited the most exciting tourist sites in Dubai such as the Burj Khalifa, the desert safari, the dancing fountains, boat cruise and the amazing sea. The food was so amazing as well tried all different cuisines from Indian, Thai, Portuguese etc. 


Reflecting on my time in Dubai, I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity. The summit not only expanded my professional knowledge but also broadened my personal horizons. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with my colleagues from The Sparkle Foundation and all the people who support our mission. 

  

I returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of insights to share with my team. As finance professionals, we must remain authentic, continually seek knowledge, and embrace innovation. 


Thank you for joining me on this journey. To many more adventures and continued growth in the world of finance! 

Stuart: From Legacy to Lived Experience

By Talhia Le Berre • April 27, 2026
For over ten years, The Payback Time Trust has supported The Sparkle Foundation, a relationship first led by Stuart Barcock’s late father, Peter, alongside his stepmother, Kathy, who were early believers in Sparkle’s vision. While Stuart had long been aware of and connected to Sparkle through this relationship, his involvement deepened significantly after becoming a Trustee in early 2023. Since then, his connection to the charity has been more direct and engaged, shaped through ongoing conversations, updates, and a growing understanding of our work. This year, that connection took on a different form. Stuart travelled to Malawi this past March to experience our work in person. Not as an observer from afar, but as someone stepping directly into the environments, communities, and programmes his family family had supported for so long. This is the story of Stuart's journey with purpose. What I Thought I Knew Having supported The Sparkle Foundation for more than a decade, the decision to visit Malawi felt both natural and necessary. From the perspective of The Payback Time Trust, it was important that one of us saw the work first-hand, to understand not only what is being delivered but how it comes together on the ground. Reports and conversations provide insight, but they inevitably leave gaps. Being there, physically present, offers a different level of clarity . There was also a personal dimension to the trip. The trust itself was founded by my [late] father and stepmother, who had been early supporters of The Sparkle Foundation and a strong believers in [founder] Sarah’s vision. Continuing that connection is something I take seriously, and this visit felt like an extension of that responsibility, as well as a way of honouring what they had helped to start.

From Seasonal to Sustainable: The Sparkle Greenhouse Secures Nutrition

By Talhia Le Berre • April 23, 2026
A fully funded greenhouse is now operational at The Sparkle Foundation Farm, made possible by a generous grant from the Australian Government
podcast guest reihan sagar on left and the sparkle foundation founder and ceo sarah brook on right

From Bake Sales to 40,000 Dirhams: How One 18-Year-Old is Changing Lives

By Talhia Le Berre • April 20, 2026
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 Guest Reihan Sagar is an 18-year-old student at Brighton College Dubai, currently serving as Head Pupil. Since joining The Sparkle Foundation in October 2024, he has raised over 40,000 dirhams for children in Malawi through bake sales, a school-wide t-shirt design competition, a raffle, and a secondhand uniform drive. He was recently awarded the Ed Goodwin Award by BSME (British Schools Middle East) for his outstanding contribution to the charity.