Josephine

My name is Josephine, and I am the last child in my family of six children from Arusha, Tanzania. When I was in primary school, my parents wrestled with addiction, and we went through a difficult time especially in terms of meeting our basic needs for education, food and clothes. I look back and see that I lived like a child on the street in the ways I had to rely on my own strength to find provision.

I thank God for helping me get through the many challenges we faced as a family. I met Jesus at Young Life camp as a teenager. The catalyst for my change of heart was knowing that I was loved by God, I trusted Him to change me. I was supported by the help of my Young Life leader who showed me love and encouraged me. Upon passing secondary school, I was admitted to study accounting in college, but I was unable to continue due to a lack of money. I had to work in the street to get money for my needs. Thanks to God, my mother also came to faith and now she's my prayer partner. Reading the bible and helping youth know about Jesus as a Young Life leader has made me very confident and cheerful.

Now a Developing Global Leader, I have the opportunity to become the first in my family to graduate from university. I am studying accounting at St. Joseph University. Through my education I hope to have a secure job and grow in my leadership abilities as I continue volunteering in Young Life as leader.