Uchindami Kasambo, Malawi, enrolled in 2021
Not too long ago Uchindami Kasambo was a young girl living in rural Malawi with little access to the future she yearned for. Now, at just 23 years old, Uchindami is making remarkable strides toward a career in the field of Mathematical Science. A university student and proud Mercy Beyond Borders (MBB) Scholar since 2021, Uchindami embodies the definition of perseverance and compassion in action.
Currently studying at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uchindami has learned to balance academic rigor with a spirit of service and leadership. Courses like Human Anatomy and Statistics have challenged her greatly, but Uchindami approaches such with determination and a growth mindset. She actively participates in seminar-style study groups, partners with classmates who excel in difficult subjects, and dedicates extra hours to tutorials and independent study, and her efforts are paying off!
Coming from a disenfranchised part of Malawi, Uchindami understands how having access to various elements of education is a game changer. This is why she has loved living on campus, because with it comes access to the university library and evening study spaces. It means she can focus on her studies without distraction.
Beyond academics, Uchindami’s heart guides her toward acts of service. Together with her fellow Scholar Clara, she spent one university holiday assisting neighbors with cleaning, fetching water, and helping with garden work. She has also volunteered with the MUST Leo Club, where she has participated in tree planting around campus, and contributing to environmental sustainability efforts.
Uchindami’s commitment to empowering others is among the many qualities that distinguish her from her peers. 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. Through a club at MUST, she joined outreach programs in Thyolo District, meeting with young mothers and girls to encourage them to stay in school. She also belongs to WAAW (Working to Advance Science and Technology Education for African Women), a group that inspires women to pursue careers in STEM through motivational talks and science experiments.
Uchindami’s journey reflects what Mercy Beyond Borders stands for: empowering young women through education, leadership, and service. Her story is an important reminder that when girls that seem the least able, are given opportunities to learn, the earth’s axis tilts a bit more toward the sun and that light is radiant.