From Mbewe Village to the world: Stellia’s journey of grit, grace, and growth

 In the quiet fields of Mbewe Village, under the watchful care of smallholder farmers and the deep blue sky, a young girl once dreamed of changing the world. That girl is Stellia Tamandani Banda and she is no longer just dreaming. She has transformed her dream into reality.

Born the youngest of six children in the farming community of Traditional Authority Mwase in Kasungu District, Stellia’s roots were humble, but rich with values of hard work, resilience, and hope. Her parents worked the land tirelessly, not for profit, but for survival. Watching their struggles etched something deep into Stellia’s heart; a commitment to one day return the favour not only to her family, but to every farmer like them.

“I grew up seeing how much smallholder farmers give, and how little they get in return,” Stellia reflects. “That’s what made me want to change things.”

Her academic journey was not linear. After completing her secondary education at Nkhamenya Girls Secondary School, she found herself stuck not for lack of ambition, but for lack of resources. For several years, university was just a distant dream. But Stellia never gave up on her dreams, and enrolled at Namitete Technical College to study Bricklaying. She began building houses while building a far much bigger dream.

Over the next few years, she took up numerous roles with Malawi Housing Corporation, Alliance One Tobacco Limited,  Plem Construction and Limbe Leaf, among others, working as a painter and artisan. Her hands were busy shaping walls, but her mind was busy shaping her future.

“I never lost sight of the bigger picture,” she says. “Even in overalls with paint on my hands, I knew one day I would go to university and find a way to serve rural Malawi.”

In 2018, she went back to school and sat for the Malawi School Certificate of Education at Kabwabwa CDSS in Lilongwe. Just a year later, she was selected to study Agronomy at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar). It was a hard-won victory.

In 2021, Stellia received a Government of India scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Application through Amity University Online. She accepted without hesitation. “I saw how agriculture and technology could work together to transform lives,” she says. “If we could combine digital tools with farming, we could change everything from crop productivity to climate resilience.”

By 2024, Stellia had achieved what few even dare to attempt: she graduated from Luanar with a credit and from Amity University with First Division two degrees in hand, two disciplines mastered, and countless barriers broken.

“It wasn’t easy,” she says, shaking her head. “There were sleepless nights, early mornings, and many sacrifices. I was also managing my responsibilities as a wife. But I never gave up. I told myself, ‘This is bigger than you.’”

Stelia’s story remains impactful. Over the past four years, Stellia has worked closely with smallholder farmers in Kasungu and Lilongwe, helping improve food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and empowering women and youth in farming. Her feet have walked the furrows of village fields. Her voice has echoed in farmer meetings. Her heart has stayed rooted in service.

In 2023, her efforts were recognised when she becamethe only woman among four Malawians sponsored by the Wells Mountain Initiative to attend the Dream Big Conference in Kenya, a landmark event that brought together young leaders from across Africa.

“Being there reminded me that our dreams are valid no matter where we come from,” she says. “Representation matters. When one girl rises, she lifts others with her.”

Today, Stellia is actively seeking opportunities to further her work in agriculture and rural development. With her unique blend of agronomic expertise and technological skills, she is determined to bridge the gap between traditional farming and modern solutions. Her vision is clear: a Malawi where farmers thrive not just survive. She dreams of creating mobile apps for farmers, tools for real time crop monitoring and platforms that connect rural producers directly to markets.

“Technology is not just about convenience, it’s about justice. It can level the playing field for farmers who have been left out

Beyond the fields and the classroom, Stellia is a reader, a mentor, and a passionate advocate for girls’ education. “I believe in the power of stories,” she says. “And I hope mine shows others that where you start doesn’t determine where you can go.”

And what of satisfaction? Is she content with how far she has come?

“I’m proud,” she says, smiling. “But I’m not done. I’m just getting started. There’s still more work to do more lives to touch, more dreams to awaken.”

To the girls of Mbewe Village and beyond, Stellia Banda has a message:

“In a world that often understimates girls from rural villages, Stellia is living proof that determination knows no limits.

“Do not let your background define your future. Let it be the reason you rise. I did it and you can too. Determination knows no limits.” She says.