Sílvia

My name is Sylvia and I live in the city of Chimoio, an agricultural center of Mozambique. I live with my parents and four brothers. I was born into a humble family with very limited resources and grew up in a sheltered environment with few friends. I often worked with my mother in her informal market selling food. I focused much of my time on studying, thanks to my parents' unlimited effort to pay the fees and keep me enrolled in school.

I accepted Jesus in 2014 when I was sick. A pastor prayed for me and I was healed after many failed traditional medical procedures and hospital visits. In 2015, a neighbor invited me to Young Life. I learned what it means to accept Jesus and have a relationship with Him through discipleship in Young Life. One week at club, I heard the leaders comment on a weekly leader meeting. I decided to go without being invited. Although the other leaders were surprised by my attendance, I was welcomed and felt special to be a part of prayer time for students and the planning of club activities. I was later invited to leader training and I went with great pleasure. Becoming a member and leader in Young Life made me realize that I am useful and can make a difference in the world. It confirmed in my heart that God has a purpose for my life, and even though I am a woman, I am part of a great mission and I am not here by mistake.

Now a Developing Global Leader, it is possible for me to attend the Catholic University of Mozambique and study agricultural engineering. I have big dreams for my community and I believe that I can be a part of great change. Many women in my culture today are often without a voice and are excluded from leadership in my country. In order to participate in this God-sized dream, I will preach the gospel to everyone, especially the youth, who are my passion and calling. After graduation, I would like to employ young women and provide income and purpose and the confidence to thrive in a world that once seemed hopeless. I have the opportunity to be the first person in my family to graduate from university.