Beyond The Bench Blog-by Judith Mbita

📍 Community Impact Diaries
I’m excited to start a small series where I’ll be sharing my experiences working with women and young people in community development spaces.
This journey is both a learning and growing experience for me. I have learned, and I will continue learning, from the strength, resilience, and creativity that exists within communities especially among women and youth who continue to push forward despite challenges.
Through this series, I’ll be sharing real stories, reflections, and lessons I’m learning along the way as I engage in community work and empowerment initiatives.
My hope is that these stories will inspire, connect, and spark meaningful conversations around youth and women empowerment.
Looking forward to growing and learning together 💛

Darling of a Biochemist Working in Construction

I am a biochemistry graduate from the University of Namibia, yet, interestingly, my first paying job came in the construction sector. You might ask, “How did this happen?”

I graduated in April 2023, and like many fresh graduates, I dived headfirst into applying for training programs, internships, and even volunteering opportunities in my field. Unfortunately, no opportunities arose that would allow me to learn or work within biochemistry.

Despite this, I dedicated my time to sharpening my leadership skills and enrolled in various short courses. One of the most transformative experiences was participating in the Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program offered by Kectil Centre for Youth Excellence-Zambia. Upon completing the program, I continued volunteering there, and it was during this period that I was deeply inspired by one of the mentors, Madam Charity Chanda Lumpa.

Madam Lumpa shared her remarkable journey, starting as a secretary and eventually becoming the Managing Director of Access Bank, among numerous other achievements. Her story highlighted an important truth: what you study in university is not always a direct predictor of your career trajectory. She emphasized that a degree is proof that you are teachable, and that willingness to take opportunities even those seemingly unrelated to your fieldcan open doors to unexpected success.

Her story made me reflect on my own path and consider a career pivot. I looked for examples of young professionals who had successfully transitioned across fields and was inspired by individuals like Florence Jedidiah Mulenga Page , a trained pharmacist working as corporate social responsibility for YANGO TAXI ZAMBIA , while also promoting STEM education and youth development, and Bibian Chibelushi, who studied education but now works as a Project Officer at ActionAid Zambia and whose journey I’ve followed closely sinced her time at Copper Rose.

When the opportunity arose to work in construction as a data entry clerk, I embraced it even though it was something I never imagined myself doing. I soon realized that this role was exactly what I needed. The position required someone with basic Excel skills and an understanding of units of measurement and conversions, knowledge I had gained in my first-year biochemistry courses.

This experience has taught me that not knowing can actually be a superpower. It opens the door to asking questions and I’ve discovered that the one who asks often finds the breakthrough. I have come to appreciate the importance of accurate data entry and the critical role of communication in construction. I now work closely with engineers, recording work from the site so that it can be inspected and approved.

Although I am far from analyzing microorganisms or designing scaffolds for drug compounds, I find many parallels between the labs in construction and my biochemistry background. I witness and record work in the soils lab, asphalt lab, and curing room, learning about materials, designs, and processes. I’ve learned techniques like sieving and particle size grading, which are key tests used to understand how soils and aggregates will perform in concrete and asphalt mixes. Some of the equipment even resembles what you’d find in a kitchen there’s a large mixer in the asphalt lab that works much like a flour mixer, blending materials to precise specifications.

These experiences have shown me that lab skills are transferable, even if the context is different. The attention to detail, the analytical mindset, and the curiosity that guided me through biochemistry are just as valuable in construction.

I am beginning to understand that the laboratory bench did not just teach me science it taught me how to observe, to question, and to remain curious in any environment I find myself in.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been accepted into Cohort 1, 2026 of the AI-Integrated Leadership Program (AILP) by Aspire Institute 🎉 Aspire Leaders Program

This program will help me develop practical AI skills, deepen my leadership capabilities in an AI-driven world, and learn directly from industry experts. As I continue my journey in data science and bioinformatics, this is an amazing opportunity to bridge AI with real-world impact.

I look forward to connecting with fellow participants and sharing insights as we explore AI’s potential together. If you’re also passionate about AI for real-world solutions, let’s connect! 💡

DATA SCIENCE JOURNEY — EPISODE 1: THE BEGINNING
February 23, 2026
Today, I officially begin my Data Science training with alx_africa.
I am excited.
I am nervous.
I am determined.
This marks the beginning of a 16-month journey that I am choosing to document intentionally. I want to look back and see the growth, the discipline, the milestones, the sacrifices, and the investment I made to step further into achieving my dreams.
This is more than a course for me.
It’s preparation.
It’s obedience to purpose.
It’s stretching myself beyond comfort.
This is a step toward bioinformatics.
Toward deeper knowledge.
Toward impact.
I know it will require consistency, late nights, resilience, and courage. I know it will stretch me. It will demand discipline. But I also know I am capable.
For the next 16 months, I am choosing growth over comfort.

📍 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. — 2 Timothy 2:15

This season is about studying diligently. Sharpening my skills. Showing up fully not just on the easy days, but especially on the hard ones.
Future Judith, I hope you are proud of this version of you the one who decided to begin.
Here’s to discipline.
Here’s to growth.
Here’s to stepping boldly into Data Science.
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🚀 Exciting News!

I am thrilled to announce that I’ve been selected as Zambia’s 2025 Community Builder Champion for the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC)! 🎉

As the founder of Welvies-crotchet-hearts and an AWEC Cohort 6 alumna, I am on a mission to empower 500 women entrepreneurs, university students, and schoolgirls with practical business problem-solving skills in 2025. This initiative will run in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, and Kabwe, with plans to expand across Zambia!

💡 Why This Matters
Many talented women struggle to scale their businesses due to financial barriers, limited networks, or a lack of strategic problem-solving skills. Through AWEC, I’ve learned how to raise funds, diversify revenue streams, refine marketing strategies, and improve financial management—and now, I want to help other women do the same.

🔥 Upcoming Training: February 28, 2025 – Lusaka
Join us for Mastering Business Problem-Solving: A Practical Guide for Women Entrepreneurs, where we’ll tackle real business challenges and share strategies to raise capital, scale operations, and lead with confidence.

🤝 Let’s Connect!
I’m excited to collaborate with Children's future society , Mimiart & Designs, and Big Fish Media on this initiative. If you’re an entrepreneur, mentor, or organization looking to partner, support, or attend, let’s talk!

📩 Reserve your spot via WhatsApp: +260979903723

Together, we can empower women, transform businesses, and drive economic growth in Zambia! 💡✨

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Women & Girl-Led Organizations! 🌟

The Women and Girls Fund is gearing up to launch a Call for Concept Notes in Zambia, Malawi and Rwanda!

If you're a women or girl-led organization/movement working to empower communities, this is your chance to access funding and make a lasting impact.
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