Andile

My name is Andile, and I live with my mother and siblings in a rural area of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Here, the homes are very old and making a living is difficult. Shortly after my father passed away from cancer, my mother grieved mightily and was sent away for treatment. During those months, food was scarce, and money for schooling was nowhere to be found. Gratefully, my grandma taught us to bring our needs before the Lord. We persevered through prayer and fasting.

My personal journey with Christ began when my grandma invited me to church. She knew my heart hurt over the loss of my father and my mother’s condition. When I heard the church message, I knew I wanted to accept the gift and grace of Jesus. The decision to start a relationship with Him profoundly impacted my life and was the best choice I’ve ever made. Since then, I have joined my local Young Life and served as an area team leader. While my grandmother's faith and prayers played a crucial role in my spiritual journey, Young Life provided me with a community to heal from the loss of my father. I am beyond grateful for both.

As a Developing Global Leader, I will attend Bulawayo Polytechnic. I aim to be the first college graduate in my family and obtain a degree in applied art and design. With this degree, I aspire to become a fashion designer. My dream is to create t-shirts and African attire for Young Life. Furthermore, I hope to inspire and train youth from rural areas where I can help them meet their future and financial goals. I want to pour into people like my grandmother and my Young Life leader have done for me.