Elio

My name is Elio and I am from a poverty-stricken and forgotten suburb of Tirana, Albania in eastern Europe. Home has been an inconsistent and lonely place at times, as my family has endured addiction, illness, and the death of my oldest brother. Youth in my neighborhood are heavily influenced by rebellious behaviors and bullying and 90% of teenagers do not attend high school. I was raised in the church and had an opportunity to join a youth worship band during my teenage years. I grew tremendously under strong leadership and that experience was a catalyst for growth in my faith. I am grateful to be a Young Life leader and an example to the teenagers in my community. I have been told that I love with my whole heart and, as a Young Life leader, I don’t want to hold anything back from the kids I serve; rather, I want to be a light that points them towards the love of God.

I graduated from a vocational high school for woodworking; therefore, I chose to attend the Agricultural University of Tirana Forest Sciences. I hope that in the future I will get the title of engineer in order to have the opportunity to have my own business or to work in the forestry department. I will be the first person in my family to graduate from university. As a Developing Global Leader, I have the opportunity to receive leadership training and cultivate ministry skills that will equip me to be an even more effective leader as I invest in my community. I believe that the most impactful way to influence my country is to pour out my life into the teens in my neighborhood and offer hope for their future apart from what is known and seen in their dark world.