Patricia Leonardo

My name is Patrícia, I am from Beira, Mozambique. The daughter of divorced parents, my mother gave me to be raised by my grandmother because she had no way to support me. At age nine, when my grandmother died, I had to go back to my mother, but only remained a short time before I went to live with my aunt who was able to enroll me in school. My childhood was a lonely time of moving from family to family; I've been through many difficult moments. In eighth grade, we moved to the city of Lichinga, where I completed my schooling. I was a girl with a very good conduct and I worked hard to succeed in school. However, without the love of a father, I felt abandoned and often looked in the wrong places for affection.

I had been raised listening to the Word of God, but for lack of love, I did not take it forward. I met Christ and began to grow in my faith as I got involved in church. When I was part of the praise team, a fellow member told me about Young Life and invited me to be part of the training. This opportunity not only led me into ministry with Young Life, but that friend eventually became my husband as well! I have sought to impact young people with my ministry, by leading in Bible studies, assisting in training and leading at camp.

Now a Developing Global Leader, I am studying accounting and auditing at Rovuma University. I would like to help support my family and ministry by working in banking. I am drawn to this field because of my love of numbers and aptitude for math. Today, I am the mother of my own child and lead Young Lives, a ministry to teenage moms in my city. I love to serve, and more and more; I seek to dedicate myself whole-heartedly in everything I do.