As the daughter of a police officer, Bertha grew up moving frequently across Malawi, from the lakeside town of Dwangwa to the capital city of Lilongwe and so a spirit of flexibility and adaptability was fostered at a young age. When Malawi’s currency experienced significant devaluation and the family began to struggle, Bertha witnessed her mother humbly begin selling water at the local bus depot. The message being, “We do what is necessary to support one another.” 

Christine navigated overcrowded classrooms, scarce textbooks, unreliable internet, limited laboratory access, and bathroom facilities so inadequate that female students had to use the boys' latrines.

Economic instability and insecurity in Haiti made even simple routines uncertain. Travel back home became dangerous due to gang activity along the main highway, forcing her family to rely on long, winding mountain paths just to stay connected.

At just 19, Elizabeth became responsible for a household of more than 30 children.

In 2023, Akidi and other MBB Scholars met with local officials to address waste management issues around Adjumani’s main market—an effort aimed at inspiring community-wide action.

In 2024, she was recognized for raising her voice to advocate for at-risk populations, particularly rural girls, like her, who face barriers to education.

Jose Naïka consistently earns top rankings in her class, finishing the 2024–2025 school year among the top five students.

In 2022, her final year of secondary school, Adrenise along with her sister and fellow MBB Scholar, Andrelene, endured a tumultuous turn of events. Their mother passed away and their father was in the Dominican Republic, trying to find construction jobs to send back money for his 7 children.

Amid national instability and widespread school closures due to gang violence, she helped organize tutoring and recreational activities for local children, ensuring they remained connected to their studies and had a safe space for joy.

She leads workshops on financial literacy, conflict resolution, and stress management—skills she first developed through MBB.

“I pray for each of you every day, that you will not become discouraged in your work, because this program enables my family to take a small breath of hope.”

As a nursing student, Eunice is committed to helping others, but a medical crisis put her on the other side of the hospital bed.