Our Story
We believe every child deserves the tools to write their own story.
It began on a dusty schoolyard in Malawi, where we - strangers from the UK - set out to on a charity deployment to end child hunger. Instead, we learned that brilliant minds were waiting to be unleashed, held back only by a lack of basic tools: pencils to capture thoughts, paper to chart dreams, backpacks to carry hope.
Returning home, we couldn’t unsee the contrast between overflowing stationery aisles here and empty desks there. Out of that conviction, Pepala - “paper” in Chichewa - was born.
Meet Our Founder
Amara Sharif turned a promise into action.
A children’s author, social-justice advocate, and Inclusion & Diversity Programme Manager at a Big Four firm, Amara returned from Malawi determined to make change.
Under her leadership, Pepala has grown into a registered CIC, celebrated by the Asian Women of Achievement Awards (2023) and named among Europe’s Top 50 Influential Muslims (2024).
Our Volunteers
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Mehmooda Duke MBE
The founder of Moosa-Duke Solicitors and a leading medical-negligence specialist who’s trained solicitors for over 20 years. She was the first Asian female President and later Chair of the Leicestershire Law Society, the second Muslim High Sheriff of Leicestershire, and the first woman to chair Leicestershire County Cricket Club. A former Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire and MBE honoree (2019), she also serves on the University of Leicester Council, is a Trustee of the MCC Foundation, and a founding Circle member of the British Asian Trust.
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Imran Lali
Imran Lali brings programme management expertise in social work and professional marketing to his role as Pepala’s Programme Manager on the ground in Malawi. Working for Mai Aisha Trust, he delivers community-driven initiatives that make a tangible difference. Driven by a passion for social impact, Imran strategically leads programmes that create lasting, positive change.
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Zaynah Din
Zaynah is the Chef, Author, and Content Creator behind ZaynahsBakes, where she puts a modern twist on South Asian flavours. After launching a home-sale cupcake business in 2016, her “Ramadan Recipes” series went viral, and she now reaches over 750K followers on TikTok and Instagram. In 2024, she published her bestselling cookbook Desified: Delicious Recipes for Ramadan, Eid & Every Day, featuring 90+ easy, flavour-packed recipes. With a background in digital marketing at Meta and TikTok, Zaynah expertly blends her culinary passion with creative strategy to inspire home cooks.
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Zaynab Tariq
Zaynab Tariq is the Co-Founder and COO of CerealBox, a digital agency helping charities raise millions through high-converting campaigns. Known for her sharp creative instincts and no-fluff strategy, she’s led work for brands across the UK and Global South, turning donor insight into real results. Alongside CerealBox, she also builds Pushpa - a community-powered fund investing in women and climate resilience in Bangladesh. With a background in storytelling, brand strategy, and grassroots organising, Zaynab brings heart, hustle and impact to everything she does.
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Na'eem Raza
A Marketing Consultant with a proven track record across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. After leading global campaigns and London’s 100,000-strong Global Peace and Unity event at Islamic Relief, he now runs his own consultancy specializing in marketing strategy and project management. Na’eem has also developed fundraising initiatives, managed high-profile events, and delivered training on race and religion. A regular presenter on Islam Channel, he brings energy and creativity to every campaign - and off the clock, you’ll find him tackling a challenging cycle route or cheering on his favourite football team.
