Enid Banda holds a Bachelor of Science in Irrigation Engineering. She is a researcher and has worked with different organizations such as Bluezone Limited, Kasinthula Agricultural Research Station and Illovo-Nchalo Sugar Estate designing, installing, operating, maintaining and evaluating irrigation systems. She is passionate about irrigation agriculture and wishes to learn more about surface and sub-surface water hydrology to contribute to these water resources’ sustenance in promoting Malawi’s food security. Enid Banda was admitted to Michigan State University to complete her Master’s in Biosystems Engineering. 

Mervis Chikafa is a Senior Irrigation Agronomist and works with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development in Malawi. She has a BSc in Irrigation Engineering from the University of Malawi- Bunda College. Her passion is to assist smallholder farmers in improving food security and their livelihoods through irrigated agriculture. Mervis Chikafa was admitted to Michigan State University to complete her Master’s in Biosystems Engineering.

Limbani Chikafutwa works in the sugarcane farming Industry. He works as an Administrator for a Masomphenya Sugarcane Growers Association. Apart from the routine administrative duties, he has also undertaken extra voluntary duties of teaching financial literacy and investment knowledge among association members, largely a group with no formal education but often gain more money from sugarcane farming proceeds. In the future, he wants to set up a training center that will help raise awareness of financial literacy and capacity building among the Sugarcane and Rice Smallholder Farmers Association and Cooperatives operating in Nkhotakota District of Malawi. Limbani Chikafutwa was admitted to Rochester Institute of Technology to complete his MBA.

Hope Kelvin Chilunga is a graduate of Electronics and Computer Engineering who currently works as an instructor in the engineering design studio of the University of Malawi, The Polytechnic. His job involves designing affordable electronic devices that will improve Malawians’ livelihoods and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations in 2012. Hope Kelvin Chilunga was admitted to Michigan State University to complete his Master’s in Computer Science. 

Imran Chiosa is a Price Statistician by profession and heads the Prices Section in the National Statistical Office. His primary duties include analyzing Consumer Price Index and inflation rates in the country and periodically re-designing the Index Compilation System. He is among other officials tasked with analyzing poverty data and producing reports on poverty levels in the country. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (Statistics) from the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College. Imran aspires to broaden his knowledge in his field expertise. Imran has co-authored many national reports, including the Fourth Integrated Household Survey Report and Child Poverty in Malawi 2018. Imran Chiosa was admitted to North Carolina State University to complete his Master’s of Science in Economics.

Kenani Chiwina obtained his BSc in Horticulture from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 2016. He works as District Agricultural Officer (Crop Protection) in Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture. Keanani has facilitated the establishment of banana macro-propagation chambers and plant clinics. Currently, he works collaboratively with local and international organizations, promoting sustainable production and dependency on high cash and food value horticultural crops. Kenani Chiwina was admitted to the University of Arkansas to complete his Master’s of Science in Horticulture.

Peter Ephraim was born and raised in Malawi. He holds a bachelor’s degree in food science and technology from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).  After graduation, he was hired as a laboratory technician by Mount Meru Millers, a company that manufactures refined soya bean cooking oil. He worked there for eight months before joining Export Trading Company in June 2018 as a Quality Assurance Manager. He is currently working with Chibuku Products Limited, a manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as a quality controller. Peter aspires to pursue a master’s in food technology to gain more in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge to start and manage innovative developments in this field. Peter Ephraim was accepted to the North Carolina State University to complete his Master’s of Science in Food Science.

Pamela Guga is a highly motivated finance and accounting professional with over four years of experience in Malawi’s agricultural sector. Pamela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy which she obtained from the University of Malawi, The Polytechnic. She works as Assistant Accountant at AHL Commodities Exchange (AHCX), a structured commodities market. She assists with the preparation of monthly management accounts, debtor and creditor reconciliation and treasury management. Pamela has also contributed to the financial management of the AHCX-Land O’Lakes Malawi Strengthening Inclusive Markets for Agriculture (MSIKA) Project and the AHCX-Export Development Fund Commodity Marketing Project (National Export Strategy). Pamela Guga was admitted to Rochester Institute of Technology to complete her MBA.

Emily Kambalame is an Irrigation Engineer by profession with a vision to improve Malawi’s socioeconomic status. Upon realizing that hunger eradication and improvement in agricultural exports can boost the economic status of the country, she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Irrigation Engineering at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR).  During her studies, she was a part of the LUANAR council and the Social Welfare Director of the students.  She is currently working as a Hydro-geologist and Irrigation Engineer at Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development (FISD). Emily was admitted to the University of the Witwatersrand University to complete her Master of Science in Engineering (Civil).

James Kambere is a holder of a Bachelor’s of Science degree (BSc) from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. James majored in Computer Science and Mathematics. He’s an experienced software developer. His dream is to continue with my education up to Ph.D. level so he can better inspire and support my siblings and other youth from developing countries around the world. I have a passion in becoming a Data Scientist. James Kambere was admitted to the University of Kentucky to complete his Master’s in Data Science.

Monica Matekenya is a Civil Engineer at Ultimate Engineering Company, where she manages the construction of biogas plants to help farmers gain easy access to energy and cheap manure. Her professional endeavors extend to the construction of roads, bridges, stadiums, markets, schools, sanitation facilities, just to mention a few, with Blantyre City Council and Plan International Malawi. She has a passion for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and the environment’s welfare. Monica Matekenya was admitted to North Carolina State University to complete her Master’s of Science in Environmental Engineering. 

Takondwa Moyo is a bachelor’s degree holder in Agricultural Economics, obtained from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi. Since in 2016, she has worked as a development research consultant for studies commissioned by Government and Non-Governmental organizations. She has worked with vulnerable populations and local farmers, especially tobacco farmers, with a core purpose of identifying their challenges and advocating for better practices. She is passionate about community development and improving the lives of Malawian farmers and believes that hard work and focus are core principles for personal development and Malawi as a whole. Takondwa Moyo was admitted at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to study her Master of Science in Policy Economics Program.

Rachael Mthiko earned a BSc in Food Science and Technology from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR). She also has a Diploma in Food Nutrition and Livelihood Security from Natural Resources College. Rachael currently works at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources as a Food Science Laboratory Technician. Rachael Mthiko was admitted to Michigan State University to complete her Master’s in Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Bernard Musewu is an Irrigation Engineer and holds BSc Irrigation Engineering from the University of Malawi. He designed a prototype of a floating toilet which became successful on “Floating Toilet Challenge” organized by the Malawi Polytechnic. The floating toilet prototype is designed to promote hygiene and safety along the lakeshore areas. Currently, Bernard works as Senior Irrigation Engineer in the Ministry of Agriculture where he is the Desk Officer (District Coordinator) for the Agricultural Infrastructure and Youth in Agribusiness Project (AIYAP) which is constructing a 1000-hectare dam based Linga Irrigation Scheme. Bernard was admitted to the University of Pretoria to complete his Master’s degree in Engineering Management (MEM).

Gibson Nkhata studied Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Mzuzu University and graduated with distinction. Currently, Gibson is a part-time lecturer at Mzuzu University in the ICT department. Gibson Nkhata was admitted to the University of Arkansas to complete his Master’s of Science in Computer Science.

Theresa Makawa Phiri has a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from University of Malawi, Bunda College. She has two years experience working as a Horticulture officer at Blantyre City Council. Her main role is to oversee the nursery propagation of ornamental plants and enhance the production of plant-related products and services. Her long-term goal is to become an expert in plant propagation. She wants to use her commitment improving crop productivity in Malawi. Theresa Makawa Phiri was admitted to the University of Arkansas to complete her Master’s of Science in Horticulture.

Amina Twaibu holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a diploma in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management from the Natural Resources College.  She works with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Food Security as an Agriculture Officer focusing on crop protection. Additionally, Amina works with non-governmental organizations to help local farmers become food secure through the promotion of improved crop varieties and practices. Her career goal is to become an agricultural scientist to help the Malawian Nation develop improved crop varieties that will contribute to our economy and replace tobacco. Amina Twaibu was admitted to the University of Arkansas to complete her Master of Science in Crop, Soil & Environmental Science.