Donald

My name is Donald and I live with my uncle in Waterloo, Sierra Leone. It is not an easy place to live as we struggle with civil unrest and poverty. I was born into a Muslim family. My father was married to two wives, and I am the second of eight children. My father was a farmer, and resources were always limited. As such, I am one of only two of his children who were able to attend school. When I reached high school, I had to move in with my uncle to work odd jobs to assist with fees. Life proved to be difficult and demanding and it was hard to remain hopeful.

Then, one day, I was invited to a Young Life Club, where I heard of Jesus and life began to look up. After listening to the message about forgiveness and how much He loves us, I knew I wanted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. The love shown to me by the other Young Life kids and leaders was something I had never experienced before. Such joy! As I grew deeper in my faith, I felt called to help others connect to Jesus, and I now serve as a team leader in our local Young Life.

I am thrilled to be a Developing Global Leader as I pursue my education at Freetown Polytechnic. Graduating with a bachelor of science in mathematics will make me the first in my family to achieve this milestone. It will also open doors for me to fulfill my dream of becoming an engineer. With this degree, I will be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others while also providing vital support to my family. I am eager to take on leadership roles and am committed to serving others with humility and kindness, reflecting the impact of my relationship with Jesus.