Pen + Paper = Endless Possibilities

Pepala was founded by a group of UK changemakers who met on a charity deployment in Malawi.

Driven by a shared passion for education and environmental stewardship, we witnessed first hand how many children in Malawi lacked basic school necessities such as books, backpacks and basic stationery.

Upon our return to the UK, we felt compelled to take action as we recognised the advantage we have in the UK with basic supplies being either provided in schools or available at an affordable rate.

Thus, Pepala (meaning Paper in Chichewa) was born.

At Pepala, we are committed to making a positive impact on education in underserved communities. To support this mission, not only do we fundraise for school supplies, we actively source surplus stock from UK businesses and send these resources to schools in developing countries.

By repurposing excess inventory, we not only minimise waste but also ensure that students in need have access to essential educational materials.

This initiative is part of our broader commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, helping to bridge the educational gap across our global community.

—
Amara Sharif
Executive Director, Pepala

Amara is the founder and executive director of Pepala. She is a passionate activist, children’s author, and trustee for the Museum of Homelessness. Working within Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at a Big Four firm, she also advocates for increasing female participation in STEM careers, leveraging her background in Computer Science. In 2023, Amara was honored with the prestigious Asian Women of Achievements award for her efforts in fostering a more equitable society, and in 2024, she was recognized among the Top 50 Influential Muslims in Europe.

Friends of Pepala

  • Mehmooda Duke MBE

    Mehmooda Duke MBE is the founder of Moosa-Duke Solicitors and a specialist in medical negligence. Renowned for her expertise, she has trained numerous solicitors over the past 20 years. She made history as the first Asian female President of the Leicestershire Law Society and later served as its Chair. Mehmooda was the second Muslim to serve as High Sheriff of Leicestershire in over 1000 years, and prior to that,  the first female in the history of English cricket to chair a County Cricket Club (Leicestershire County Cricket Club). She has held various other prestigious roles, including Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire and founder Executive Board member of the Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers. Currently, she is a member of the University of Leicester Council, a Trustee of the MCC Foundation, and a founder Circle member of the British Asian Trust. Her accolades include Leicestershire Law Society Solicitor of the Year 2018 and Leicester Mercury Businesswoman of the Year 2017. She was awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year's Honours list.

  • Na'eem Raza

    Na’eem Raza is an experienced Marketing Consultant with a diverse background in project management, fundraising, and campaign development. Originally from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Na’eem has a wealth of experience working across the public, private, and third sectors, having developed marketing strategies, managed events, and delivered training on race and religion. With a career spanning the Civil Service and a long tenure at Islamic Relief, Na’eem's expertise includes leading global campaigns, managing communications, and organizing high-profile events like the Global Peace and Unity event in London, which drew 100,000 attendees and reached millions globally. Na’eem runs his own consultancy, specializing in marketing and project management, and regularly presents on Islam Channel. Passionate about cycling, football, and tackling life's challenges, he remains committed to making a positive impact on both the community and the wider world.

  • Zaynahs Bakes

    Zaynah Din

    Zaynah is a Chef, Author and Content Creator of the culinary brand ZaynahsBakes. She started in 2016 with a home-sale cupcake business and gained popularity for her South Asian-inspired recipes. She’s known for her viral "Ramadan Recipes" series and has over 750K followers across TikTok and Instagram. In 2024, she released her best selling cookbook Desified: Delicious Recipes for Ramadan, Eid & Every Day, featuring over 90 easy-to-make recipes. She previously worked at Meta (formerly Facebook) and TikTok managing Business Marketing and Creative Strategy. With a background in digital marketing, she combines her love for food and content creation to share modern takes on traditional dishes.