Loveness

Meet Chitambo (Safnika) Loveness, a first-generation college student from Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. Safnika grew up in a family of five and is the eldest child. Her parents battled various struggles including mental illness, unemployment and inactive parenting. Safnika shares, “Growing up was not a smooth road, there were problems all along the way. Living without a supportive father and having an unemployed mother was not easy, I remember church members contributing in order for us to have food on the table.”

Throughout the rough and rocky paths, Safnika believed God did not love her. She questioned, “Why would God let life be like this if He loved me?” The moment she got involved with Young Life, all of doubts about God started to change. Safnika could see the love of Jesus and everything that He had done in her life and started to understand her need for the good news of the Gospel. She shares, “My encounter with Young Life helped me discover my purpose in life. I am dedicated to reach out to as many teenagers as possible and go to the places that we have not yet reached.”

Now a Developing Global Leader, Safnika is attending the University of Zimbabwe and dreams of using her business and economics degree to become a procurement specialist and focus on supply chain management. She hopes that by achieving her academic and career goals that her life can motivate others who come from similar background and hardship. Within Young Life and as a leader, she is eager to continue to grow in her leadership and mentoring skills to bless those around her.