Yematawerk

My name is Yematawerk and I grew up in the southern part of Ethiopia and my family has a very low-income. Despite the financial challenges, I was a dedicated student who excelled in school. However, during this time, I struggled with my faith and found myself engaging in activities that conflicted with my Christian beliefs. Thankfully, I met Young Life leaders who shared a powerful message with me. They assured me of God's love, forgiveness, and the bright opportunities that awaited me. Their words brought me a sense of peace and acceptance, inspiring me to spend more time with them and eventually start serving in the community. As I became more involved, I was given responsibilities and started leading activities such as organizing games which boosted my confidence. Young Life reached out to me and it was a turning point for me. I used to be extremely hesitant to approach others and even found it difficult to say a simple "hi." The culture and opportunities of Young Life have empowered me to boldly talk about Jesus and the gospel. Through the Developing Global Leaders program, I am studying computer science at Ambo University. My goal is to connect with as many youth as possible and provide them with the same opportunities that I had. Additionally, I hope to expand Young Life to other cities. I will become the first in my family to graduate with a university degree.