Rose

My name is Rose and I live in Bungi, Zanzibar with my father. I came from a Muslim family where my father and mother separated when I was young, I am the second born in our family where there are eight of us. In secondary school, I could not finish my studies away at school due to illness, and I stayed home to heal. This has been the biggest challenge of my life because I suffer from a skin rash that I have had for many years and can’t find the right medical help to cure it. I was singled out by everyone, even those of my family. My sickness became the very catalyst I needed to start to grow in my faith. One day I met a Young Life leader who explained to me about club. My family did not accept the idea of me going to Young Life, but as the days went by, they finally came to accept it and I managed to go to camp. Everything changed at camp; I changed spiritually and decided with one heart to accept Christ and then I was baptized. However, due to my weakness, I was not a person who chose to mix with other people. My friends and Young Life leaders carried me and comforted me and told me that I shouldn't separate myself. Being baptized while at camp made me forget everything that had happened to me and made me feel normal like other people. Currently I serve with all my heart and help other young people know they are loved by God. Now a Developing Global Leader, my vision for the future is to have a good job in the hospitality industry that will help me support my society. I am attending Machui College and will be the first in my family to graduate from university.