Digital Content Creator (LinkedIn & Instagram)

Support a startup redirecting surplus school supplies to under-resourced schools in Malawi

Pepala

We rescue surplus school supplies destined for landfill and redirect them to under-resourced schools in Malawi.

At Pepala, we address two deeply interconnected challenges — educational inequality and environmental waste — through practical, community-driven solutions.

Social Challenge: Educational Resource Gaps in Malawi

• In many Malawian schools, students lack access to basic learning tools like pens, notebooks, and textbooks.
• This lack of resources affects children's ability to engage in school, complete assignments, and develop confidence in their learning journey.
• Through Pepala’s initiatives — such as the Backpack Appeal — we aim to restore dignity and pride by providing thoughtfully packed school supplies that support both academic progress and emotional well-being. Environmental Challenge: Preventable Waste from Surplus Supplies
• Each year, thousands of unused or obsolete school supplies in the UK are destined for landfill due to overproduction, rebranding, or outdated packaging.
• Pepala intercepts these items — pens, books, stationery — and gives them a second life in classrooms where they’re genuinely needed.
• To date, Pepala has rescued over 18,000 pens and 8,000 books, diverting valuable materials from landfill and aligning with sustainable giving practices. Your work doesn’t just hand over supplies — it reframes waste as opportunity and empowers communities through thoughtful redistribution.

At Pepala, our solution is rooted in circular generosity — we intercept waste, repurpose resources, and restore dignity through education. Here’s how it works:

Practical Redistribution Model

• We collect surplus or obsolete school supplies from UK businesses, organizations, and individuals — items that would otherwise end up in landfill due to rebranding, overstock, or expiry.
• These donations are carefully categorized, packed, and sent to under-resourced schools in Malawi, where access to basic learning tools is limited.
• Our current initiative, the Backpack Appeal, fills branded drawstring bags with pens, notebooks, and other essential stationery, giving children the pride of owning their own learning kit. Environmentally Responsible
• By giving a second life to unused stationery, we actively reduce landfill waste and promote a culture of reuse.
• This aligns corporate social responsibility with tangible environmental impact, offering donors a chance to be part of a sustainable movement. Community-Led & Scalable
• Pepala relies on a growing network of volunteers, drop-off points, and partner organizations who support collection, sorting, and outreach.
• We empower individuals to use their CSR days or donate time and resources to help expand our reach.
• By building relationships with schools, libraries, and charities across the UK, we continuously source resources that are no longer useful here — but deeply valuable elsewhere.

Role (Volunteer): Digital Content Creator (LinkedIn & Instagram).

Role Description: Pepala is a UK-based not-for-profit transforming surplus stationery into educational opportunity for children in Malawi. We believe in the power of storytelling, dignity, and design—and we’re looking for a creative volunteer to help us bring that vision to life online.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and grow Pepala’s presence on Instagram and LinkedIn
• Create e-posters and other digital assets
• Create visually powerful content using Canva or other tools
• Design posts that highlight our impact, partnerships, and stories from Malawi
• Collaborate with our team to shape content
• Help us build a consistent, emotive brand voice across platforms
• Occasionally edit short videos or reels to amplify engagement

What You’ll Bring

• A passion for visual storytelling and social impact
• Experience with Canva or similar design tools
• Familiarity with Instagram and LinkedIn best practices
• A keen eye for layout, typography, and tone
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback with grace
• Bonus: experience with video editing or motion graphics

Time Commitment: Volunteer 0-1 hours per week for 6+ months remotely

If you want to make change, apply to volunteer with Pepala!