When 16-year-old Layla Diamond stands outside Maman, a popular Miami brunch spot, greeting diners on a Saturday morning, she’s not just promoting a cause—she’s continuing a family legacy of giving back.
Layla’s mother, Faiza Liban, grew up in Kenya, where education wasn’t always accessible, especially for girls. In her own family, Faiza’s older sisters were pulled out of school by third or fourth grade—a reality that shaped her commitment to educational equity. When Faiza and her husband settled in Miami with their daughters, they made a conscious decision to raise them with an appreciation for their opportunities and a responsibility to support others.
“We give the girls multiple organizations to choose from and see what resonates the most,” Faiza explains. For the Liban-Diamond family, School the World (STW) was a natural fit—an organization dedicated to improving access to education in underserved communities, particularly for girls.
Layla’s journey with School the World began through her older sister, Anisa, who participated in the club during high school and traveled to Honduras in 2022 on a summer service trip. When Anisa left for USC, she passed the torch to Layla, who was inspired by what she learned about STW’s impact: $250 can supply an entire classroom library, and $1,000 funds a girl’s scholarship for a year.
For Layla, a high school junior juggling academics, rowing practice, and club leadership, the challenge became clear: how could she make a meaningful impact without waiting until she could travel herself? The answer came in partnering with local businesses—specifically, restaurants willing to donate a percentage of their daily receipts when customers mentioned School the World.
Layla’s approach to her Maman brunch fundraiser offers a blueprint for other students looking to organize similar events. Here’s what worked:
Not all restaurants—or times of day—are created equal for fundraising. Layla chose Maman, a brunch spot that her community already frequented, and scheduled the event for a weekend morning after rowing practice when she knew her teammates would be hungry and available.
The lesson: Consider the restaurant’s menu, typical clientele, and peak hours. A weekend brunch spot might work better than a weeknight dinner venue for high school students. A family-friendly restaurant with an early dinner rush could be ideal if you’re targeting families with young children. Match the venue and timing to your network’s natural habits. Ask about including takeout orders in the fundraiser as well.
Layla didn’t rely on just one method to spread the word. She:
“The more people you reach out to, the better,” Layla reflects. “Even just my friends and teammates coming to support was really great.”
The lesson: Cast a wide net. Use every platform and community you’re part of—sports teams, clubs, classes, family networks, neighborhood groups. Don’t be afraid to ask others to amplify your message.
Not everyone could make it to the Saturday morning event, so Layla shared a QR code for direct donations. This thoughtful addition meant that people who wanted to support STW but couldn’t adjust their schedules still had an opportunity to contribute.
The lesson: Remove barriers to giving. Always offer an alternative way to participate—whether it’s a donation link, a rain date, or information about ongoing ways to support your cause.
On the day of the event, Layla didn’t just post about it and hope for the best. She and her friends stood outside the restaurant, greeted diners, and reminded them to mention School the World when ordering. Their physical presence served as both a reminder and an opportunity to share STW’s mission.
“We would talk to people online and be like, ‘Hey, when you’re ordering, make sure you mention School the World—a percentage of the profits they make today gets donated to our charity,’” Layla explains.
The lesson: Show up. Your presence demonstrates commitment and creates accountability. It also gives you the chance to educate people about your cause in real-time.
Layla designed a flyer using information from the STW website that she could share digitally and display at the restaurant. The visual reminder helped diners remember to mention the organization when ordering.
The lesson: Keep promotional materials simple and clear. Include the who, what, when, where, and why—plus any action steps (like “mention School the World when you order”). Make it easy for people to understand and act.
Perhaps the most remarkable moment of Layla’s event came when her parents stopped by for breakfast to support her. When Faiza mentioned School the World to another diner who had just walked in, the woman’s eyes lit up. She had traveled to Guatemala years ago to build a school with her daughter—and her daughter had gone to college with STW’s founder.
“It was a beautiful moment,” Faiza recalls. “Small world.”
The lesson: You never know who might have a connection to your cause. Being visible and vocal about your fundraiser can lead to unexpected connections, stories, and support. These serendipitous moments often become your best ambassadors.
After the success of her first event, Layla found that others wanted to get more involved. Two friends expressed interest in taking on leadership positions in the club, with one particularly interested in handling social media—a role that could expand their reach to networks Layla doesn’t have access to.
The lesson: Success breeds momentum. Use early wins to attract more help, and be strategic about delegating tasks. Someone else might be better positioned to reach certain audiences or might bring skills you don’t have. Let them shine.
Layla’s efforts brought in over $700 between receipts collected on the day of the event, as well as donations made by those who couldn’t attend.
For Mamon, partnering with Layla was an easy decision. “As a local restaurant, we believe in supporting our community and encouraging young people who take initiative and give back,” they shared. When asked what it means to see young people caring for others, their response was simple but powerful: “It’s inspiring and gives us hope for the future.”
Undeterred by balancing junior year academics and athletics, Layla is already planning another restaurant fundraiser. With new team members joining to help with promotion and a better understanding of what works, her next event is poised to be even more successful.
For student club leaders looking to organize their own restaurant fundraisers, Layla’s advice is simple: “Don’t be afraid to reach out to people. The worst they can say is no or that they’re busy. Even just having your friends come to support really helps.”
“It definitely helped build up confidence to just go up to random people and talk to them, spread the word, make sure money is getting donated,” Layla adds. “When you know that $250 can create a classroom library and $100 funds a girl’s scholarship, it makes it easier to ask.”
Interested in starting a School the World club at your school or organizing your own fundraiser? Visit our Clubs & Chapters page to learn more about how you can make a difference in your community and beyond.
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