Jiya

My name is Jiya, I live in South Asia with my mother and my four sisters. When I was nine my dad separated from us. Later, my mother got sick. Also, living in a slum area, gaining an education as an under-resourced young girl was nearly impossible. I did not understand what was happening and why I faced such hardship and heartache. As I consider those times, the wild days of my life, where I felt alone and without the companionship of friends, I see that I grew in independence.

At the time when I thought I was all alone and in deficit from not experiencing the love of a father, I considered giving up hope. It was then that I met Jesus through my sister and the tables of my life turned completely. I found the purpose of my life, my heavenly Father, and his love changed everything. I was not alone anymore. When I decided to work for His Kingdom, He opened doors, and I learned about Young Life through my sister and eventually became a volunteer leader.

Now a Developing Global Leader, I am studying accounting at a local university, fulfilling my long-held dream of continuing my education. I want to be an inspiration for the girls who come from the slum where I belong. I hope to help others just as I have been helped and instill hope for the future. As a leader, it's my dream to reach the places in my country where there are kids who have no hope in their lives. I want to share hope in Christ and want to empower more leaders who can share the same hope around South Asia.