Japhet

Japhet is a hard-working and teachable man from the Burera area in northern Rwanda. He and his large family have encountered a great deal of hardship and loss, including the death of three of the nine children. His parents rely fully on the resources of their small piece of land to provide for their family, sacrificing immensely to pay for Japhet to complete high school. This act of selflessness from his parents spurred Japhet on to cherish his education and aspire to give back to his family. Japhet attended Young Life club in his community during high school and later spent a week at Young Life camp where he heard the Gospel. He could not help but respond to the sacrificial love of God and committed to following him the rest of his life. From that time on, Japhet has been a Young Life leader earning the right to be heard in the lives of teenagers.

Now a Developing Global Leader, Japhet is studying civil engineering at INES: Institut D'enseignement Superieur at Ruhengeri. Japhet hopes to be able to address the building concerns in the mountainous terrain of his country. He would like to use innovative design to alter the problems they face with landslides and weak foundations, particularly for the poor. Japhet is committed to further develop his leadership and ministry skills as he devotes himself to his studies and his faith. Japhet will be the first person in his family to graduate from college.