Bertha Binwali, Malawi, enrolled in 2021

In the words of the late Senior Chief Theresa Kachindamoto, a Malawian activist known for her tireless work against child marriage:

“When girls are educated, everything is possible.”   

At 23, Bertha Bwanali’s story breathes life into Chief Kachindamoto’s wisdom. Enrolled as an MBB scholar in 2021, Bertha has graduated from university with a degree in accounting and her professional life as a finance officer is off and running. But her journey is not just about personal success; it is recognizing that her success can be a stepping stone for others so that their journeys might be as fruitful as her own.

Throughout her university years, much of Bertha’s weekends were spent tutoring primary school students in her neighborhood and helping them gain confidence in their studies. She also supported a neighbor by caring for her baby, giving a new mother the space to manage daily responsibilities that otherwise might not have been manageable. For Bertha, service is not an extra activity to be listed on a job application or resume. It is an intricate and innate part of who she is.

Her academic path, like many worthwhile journeys, was not without obstacles and painful growth. While her first year in university reflected strong academic performance, her second year brought unforeseen challenges. Courses like cost accounting, statistics, and management information systems tested both her aptitude and resilience. Instead of fading into the background, Bertha leaned in. She attended extra tutoring sessions, joined daily study groups, and sought guidance from classmates who had mastered difficult concepts that she historically struggled with. She set clear and tangible goals for herself and remained focused, even when her mid-semester results fell short of her expectations.

Pursuing a degree and career in finance was a path chosen with purposeful intention. She believed a job in finance would provide her with a salary large enough to support her three younger brothers with their school fees. As Bertha’s father said during an interview, “MBB is not just educating our daughter, MBB is empowering our family to educate all of our children. We never would have managed to send Bertha to university on our own.'' 

“I set high standards for myself so that I will succeed despite any challenges,” Bertha shared. Within this powerful statement, lies Bertha’s resolve to quietly, and without expectation of recognition, help others as she has been helped.

That mindset cemented her resolve to succeed and through long study sessions, group discussions, and sheer persistence, Bertha completed her program. She proved that growth often happens when things feel uncertain but focus and commitment remain steadfast.

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.” 

With her degree in hand, Bertha is now working as a finance officer and looks toward the future with hope and possibility in her heart. She aspires to pursue a master’s degree while continuing to grow professionally, and is especially passionate about promoting transparency and accountability in Malawi’s financial systems.

Bertha’s journey is a reminder that education does more than open doors, it plants the seeds for lasting change.