A Year of Impact at Pepala

Pepala branded drawstring backpacks in the hands of thousands of students in Malawi. Every backpack contained stationery donated by generous donors in the UK.

Over the past twelve months, Pepala has experienced one of its most transformative years yet. What began as a simple belief, that surplus resources in the UK could change the lives of children in Malawi, has grown into a movement powered by generosity, partnership and purpose.

Thanks to the trust of our supporters and sponsors, thousands of children now have access to learning tools, books, dignity essentials and opportunities that were previously out of reach.

This is what we achieved together.

🌍 70,000 Items Redirected From Landfill to Classrooms

Across the UK, countless usable items are discarded every day. At Pepala, we see potential where others see waste. This year, we successfully redirected:

• 70,000 items (2,500 kilos) from UK landfill

• All delivered directly to classrooms in Mangochi, Malawi

These items — from stationery to school bags — are now supporting children’s learning journeys instead of contributing to environmental waste.

📚 10,000 Books and Two New School Libraries

For many children in rural Malawi, books are a rarity. Some classrooms have never had a single storybook.

This year, through donations from schools, libraries and publishers, we delivered:

• 10,000 books

• Two fully stocked libraries at Kwiputi and Nsanga schools

Teachers shared that children stayed after class just to read. For many, it was the first time they held a book of their own.

A library is more than shelves and pages — it is a gateway to imagination, literacy and possibility.

🎒 5,000 Backpacks Filled With 35,000 School Supplies

We distributed:

• 5,000 drawstring backpacks and totes

• Filled with 35,000 pens, pencils and essential school supplies

These bags give children a sense of pride and ownership. They also ensure that no child is left behind simply because they lack basic tools for learning.

👧🏾 10,000 Pairs of Underwear for Schoolgirls

During our school visits, teachers shared a difficult truth: many girls could not afford underwear. This affected their confidence, comfort and attendance — especially during their menstrual cycle.

Through a partnership with a UK law firm, Moosa-Duke Solicitors, we delivered:

• 10,000 pairs of underwear to schoolgirls across Mangochi

This simple item restored dignity and helped girls stay in school with confidence.

🤝 Partnerships That Amplify Our Mission

This year, Pepala proudly partnered with:

• The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA)

• Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF)

• SailPoint

• KPMG

They allow us to rescue more surplus stock than ever before and amplify our message of “less landfill, more learning.”

Together, we are proving that sustainability and education can go hand in hand.

💛 A Year Defined by Collective Good

Every book, every backpack, every item delivered to Malawi represents a chain of generosity — from donors to volunteers to partners to the communities we serve.

Pepala’s work is rooted in dignity, sustainability and opportunity. This year has shown what is possible when we come together with intention and compassion.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our mission. Your kindness is shaping futures, one classroom at a time.

Our largest shipment to date, reaching remote schools in Malawi. Over 70,000 items, now creating impact!

Over 2,000 totes each containing surplus stationery from UK businesses!

Hundreds of footballs donated from a sports manufacturer in the UK