Clarisse

Clarisse is a persevering young woman from Muhanga, Rwanda. She lives with her parents and is the second born of six children. She grew up as a child who enjoys being with her family, and values how much her family wanted to be able to give to and help others. However, with few employment opportunities for her parents, they often found themselves without food and lacking provisions for school fees.

Clarisse grew up in a home that believed in God, but it wasn’t until her father was healed from an illness that she began to wonder about the power and love of God. “In everyday life, I did not like to pray because I had lost hope due to the condition of our family life. It was in this place of sorrow that my Young Life leader saw me in such despair that he began to defend himself. He told me his testimony of how much Jesus loved me and he prayed for me and that day, I came to be saved.” Later Clarisse became a choir minister in her church and has become a student of the Bible which has helped her grow spiritually.

Now a Developing Global Leader, Clarisse wants to earn a degree in computer science at the University of Kigali. She is driven to learn a skill that will lead to employment and the betterment of her family. She wants to be a good example and help create jobs in her community. Through her ministry with Young Life, she is passionate about helping girls develop confidence and have a purposeful life through faith in Jesus. Clarisse will be the first in her family to graduate from university.