University: Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Malawi

Degree Program: Bachelors in Chemical Engineering

Ndaona Kanyenda is a Chemical Engineering student whose commitment to academic mentorship took root in secondary school, where she routinely spent her free time tutoring peers through complex scientific modules. Driven by a deep intolerance for gender-based violence and the systematic disempowerment of women in her society, Ndaona founded Hidden Potential, a grassroots initiative dedicated to helping young girls in secondary schools identify their capabilities and navigate socio-economic challenges. As a WAAW Scholar, she is sharpening her technical engineering skillset while leveraging the foundation’s network to expand her mentorship platform, striving toward a future where every young Malawian woman is structurally equipped to achieve financial independence.