Ensuring Access to Quality Early Childhood Education

Chikondi Likoswe & Simon Nyirenda • September 16, 2024

How Vulnerability Assesments Drive Opportunities for All

Early childhood development (ECD) programs form the foundations for lifelong learning and development. In Malawi, a nation rich in cultural diversity but faced with significant developmental challenges, the importance of ECD is undeniable. Yet, access to quality ECD is still limited. As recent as 2022, only 34% of children aged 3.6 to 5.9 years attended early childhood education in Malawi. Those programs also grapple with significant gaps in resources and infrastructure.


The situation is even more critical in rural areas with limited access to education. Many children begin school without the necessary cognitive and social skills required for success, which can have an enduring effect on their academic and personal development. In addition, socioeconomic factors like poverty and parental illiteracy prevent families from adequately supporting their children's educational needs.

 “Our team conducts vulnerability assessments and research by visiting families door-to-door in their communities.  This helps us understand the children's backgrounds and build trust from the start, ensuring we don't miss anyone who needs our services."

- Chikondi Likoswe - Sparkle Monitroing & Evaluation Officer

To help bridge the gap, The Sparkle Foundation provides free ECD services to children aged between 2.5 and 5.9 years old in the 18 villages of T/A Mwambo and 12 other villages of T/A Mkapita in Zomba District. These services are aimed at supporting children who might otherwise be left behind.

 

The Sparkle Foundation enrollment process for our ECD programs begins with a vulnerability assessment of households. This helps us to identify and support children from the most vulnerable homes who face barriers to accessing quality ECD programs. Local committee representatives identify potential candidates, and our team visits these households to interview parents or guardians using a structured questionnaire.

 

The questionnaire gathers detailed information on demographics, including family health, economic conditions, and home environment. This data is then used to calculate vulnerability scores, which guide us in prioritising children for enrolment. Through this process, we can identify vulnerable children and gain insight into their living conditions, needs, and challenges. Once enrolled, children advance through four classroom stages in our Early Childhood Development (ECD) program, preparing them for entry into primary school.

We adopt a comprehensive approach to delivering our program by empowering parents to actively support their children's learning, particularly in rural areas where literacy levels and formal education are limited. To address these challenges, we have implemented an Adult Literacy program, equipping parents and community members with essential literacy skills to better assist their children's education.

 
By delivering continuous professional development to our teachers, supported by Cognita school group, we equip them with the skills to cater to different learning styles. This ensures that all children thrive as we integrate the Malawi government's ECD curriculum with the Montessori approach.

 

The future of Malawi’s children depends on the quality of education they receive today. As we expand our reach and improve our programs, we invite partners, supporters, and the broader community to join us in this important journey. Together, we can unlock the potential of every child, creating brighter futures for them and laying a stronger foundation for Malawi as a whole.

From YouTube Tutorials to Lifesaving Care

By Sarah Brook • February 10, 2025
Sparkle's Clinic Transformation 

Global Crises, Local Impact: How Malawi Faces Climate and Conflict Challenges

By Sarah Brook • February 3, 2025
Malawi is on the frontlines of global crises. Cyclone Deirdre, though less devastating than Cyclone Freddy, ripped off the roof of Sparkle Farm’s newly built toilet - a frustrating setback as we work toward sustainable feeding programmes. Adding to the strain, delayed rains now push planting seasons from December to late January, shrinking growing periods and increasing crop failure risks. With 80% of Malawians relying on agriculture, the situation is dire. Last year’s harvests already fell short, leaving many vulnerable to hunger. Ripple Effects of Global Conflicts Global conflicts amplify these challenges. Mozambique, once a food lifeline, is now hindered by insurgencies. The war in Ukraine has created fertiliser shortages, not just price hikes. With Ukraine being a key supplier, farmers in Malawi are unable to access critical agricultural inputs, further threatening yields. As aid is diverted to other global crises, like Palestine, African nations like Malawi are left struggling with fewer resources to tackle mounting issues. Climate Change and Inequality Climate change compounds the crisis. Though Malawi contributes less than 0.1% to global emissions, it’s among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries. Cyclones, floods, and droughts are increasingly frequent, forcing communities into a relentless cycle of rebuilding. In rural areas, a lack of knowledge about sustainable practices leaves farmers using the same overworked land year after year, depleting soil quality and further reducing crop productivity.

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

By chimwemwe gawa • January 24, 2025
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. 
More Posts
Share by: