Grace Esther

My name is Grace. I live in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire, with my stepfather, mother, sisters and cousins. Growing up, financial instability was always a struggle for my family. However, my parents always reminded me that we could overcome any obstacle with determination, prayer and faith. This helped me when my mother battled cervical cancer; watching her go through the pain and uncertainty of treatment was incredibly challenging. However, despite her suffering, my mother’s resilience and unwavering faith in God profoundly transformed the way I see life.

I met Jesus during one of the most turbulent times in my life. As a teenager, I struggled with my identity and purpose. At Young Life club I heard about God’s unconditional love and felt a profound sense of peace and I began to truly understand the significance of having a personal relationship with Jesus. Young Life became my safe place where I could grow in my faith and be surrounded by others who genuinely care about me. I am now a Young Life team leader in my community and involved in church and sing in the choir.

As a DGL student, I am studying business and economics, majoring in human resources, at the International Polytechnic University. I will be the first person in my family to graduate from university. I want to be a human resources manager and use my education to make a difference in the lives of others by supporting underprivileged communities and advocating for those in need.