Akre

Akre, who goes by Edna, is a loving and servant-hearted young woman from Grand-Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire, who lives with her mother and two siblings. She lost her father when she was seven years old and her mother bore the responsibility of raising three children alone. Through great financial strain, her mother was committed to her children completing school and worked tirelessly to pay their school fees. Upon the death of her father, Edna drew inward and battled shyness and a lack of confidence.

Although involved in church throughout her life, she met Jesus during a church youth event when she was seventeen years old. She reflects, “My meeting Jesus allowed me to finally overcome the death of my father, the grief of which had pushed me to be closed in and shy. However, integrating Young Life into my life gave me the opportunity to be more open and joyful and has given me the courage to speak in front of large groups and boldly share my faith.”

Now a Developing Global Leader, Edna is studying languages at Felix Houphouët Boigny University. She wants to become a translator because she is compelled to help open doors for communication and hopes it will allow her to share the love of Jesus with young people from around the world. Fellow Young Life leaders and friends describe Edna as “a very attentive person who is eager to listen to others. She is always ready to help do the tasks that everyone else flees and she makes herself available both emotionally and physically; her kindness and love for the Lord is evident in all she does.” Edna will be the first in her family to graduate from university.