Bédard

My name is Bedard. I am from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where I grew up with my parents and ten brothers and sisters. Being from a big family, we rarely had enough money for food and clothes and I often had to rely on myself to provide for myself and my siblings. My childhood was primarily focused on survival, resulting in falling behind in school and transferring schools twice. I am grateful that I was able to persevere and eventually graduate high school, even with the challenges I faced.

In high school, my siblings and I took on more responsibility for the family when my mother fell ill and my father turned to alcohol. We had no way to obtain resources and were struggling to care for one another. During the time where my life felt the most hopeless, I met the Lord. A friend from school invited me to Young Life and to church, and I found a place where I could be myself and feel supported by those around me. I became baptized by the glory of God, and continue to turn to God with the good and the bad that my life brings.

As a Developing Global Leader, I am attending the University of Bukavu, in the Congo. I will be the first in my family to attend college, and I hope to make them proud through continuing my education. At school I am studying economics, in hopes to learn more about the systems of poverty in place in my country. With this new set of knowledge and skills, I aim to better my community and continue to give all the glory to God.