Samson

My name is Samson, and I live in a Christian orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My parents passed away when I was an infant, so the family I have are the orphaned brothers with whom I was raised. My childhood was a mixture of fond memories and significant challenges. I often longed for my family and struggled to understand the meaning of my life. After some empty, rebellious years, I started searching for the meaning of my existence. During these years, I began to understand my life had a purpose. I could be a source of light for others and began to envision a brighter future for myself.

Although I was familiar with the name of Jesus, He only became personal once I heard talks about Him during Young Life club. There, He became real because His interactions with others were relatable. I knew I needed Him, and once I started my relationship with Jesus, my life was transformed. Through Young Life and my local church, I felt supported and found a community where I could explore my faith, understand my purpose, and develop a deeper relationship with my Creator.

As a Developing Global Leader, I will attend Admas University in Addis Ababa. While I cannot say if I will be the first college graduate in my family, I can confidently say that I will honor my parents, my orphanage, and my community. When I earn my degree in management, I hope to leverage leadership opportunities to expand my reach and help people understand their purpose through faith.