In October’s issue, we covered the fantastic humanitarian work the Sparkle Malawi orphan centre are doing, and introduced you to the founder - 25 year old Sarah Brook.
She shared her vision and touching story that sparked her passion for this project, which has now become her life mission.
Briefly, Sarah was volunteering during her gap year and fell critically ill whilst in Malawi and had to be rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. Upon arriving at the local clinic, the hours long line of patients waiting to be seen pushed her to the front. Thanks to the villagers’ selfless acts and those involved in transporting her to the hospital three hours away to receive lifesaving treatment, Sarah felt she owed them her life. She moved to Dubai, raised some funds and awareness and is now living in Malawi full-time to devote all her time making a first-hand impact on hundreds of orphans’ lives.
With one in 14 children in Malawi dying before the age of five, Sparkle aims to ensure all of their children make it to primary school as healthy and loved individuals. Currently the primary carers for over 150 children, they provide two meals a day, early infant education, unlimited clean water supply, two vaccinations a year and 24 hour love and support. With the aim of giving children the best head start possible during the most crucial years, Sparkle hopes to expand and accommodate more children all the way up to the age of 18.
Here are some of the goals Sarah and the team on the ground were able to fulfil in less than 3 months:
- Built the first electric pump bore hole in Zomba City supplying unlimited clean water to thousands of children.
- Doubled the size of Sparkle Malawi and bought land and a shell of a volunteer house next door.
- Bought a car which will now act as an ambulance to take children to and from hospital.
- Built three showers so the children can be washed every morning.
- Converted a chicken house into a dining room.
- Fitted the project with electricity.
- Built two new sinks for better hygiene.
- Built two new slides and a seesaw.
- Fed 500 children.
- Built a secure wall around all of their premises.
- Employed 3 new members of staff.
- Got two staff qualified as Level 1 Early Childhood Education teachers.
If you would like to get involved, we believe everyone has something to offer; from your phonebook contacts and connections, advice and experience, or a few hours of admin time. Any services you might be able to provide such as auditing, printing or funding are highly appreciated too. Charity is not all about money, but people with a genuine passion to make a difference, so get in touch with them and learn more by visiting www.sparklemalawi.org.