Anitha

My name is Anitha; my friends and family like to call me Nipha, because I love to sing. The oldest of four children, I live with my family in a small compound in the city of Songea, in the Ruvuma region of Tanzania. In spite of the hardships we faced, my childhood was of full of joyful moments because my parents taught us to always believe in and rely on God. The year after high school, my father had a stroke and my mother was unable to work due to complications in her pregnancy. I became the sole breadwinner for my family during that time, scrapping by to pay for medical bills, food, and school fees for my siblings. It was a young age for me to accommodate all the responsibilities that were suddenly cast upon my shoulders.

Thanks to God, I had friends who were endlessly there for me with encouragement and support. One of them introduced me to Young Life. Once I joined Young Life, I was able to laugh and smile again, depending on God for everything. Over time I grew in confidence and began to introduce others to Jesus.

Since my childhood, I have liked mathematics and repeatedly told my parents that one day, I would graduate from university with a mathematics degree. With the help of the Developing Global Leaders scholarship, I am making good on my promise and earning an economics degree from the Institute of Rural Development Planning. My educational goal is to be the first in my family to earn a college degree and ensure greater economic development for my community. In everything, I hope to make sure that the mission of Young Life flourishes in order to introduce more youth to Jesus Christ and help them to grow in their faith.