Simphiwe Gift

I grew up with my father, while my mother had moved on with her life. I never had the chance to truly know her, though we occasionally talk now that she is married to someone else. Life was never easy. When my father became sick and eventually lost his job, he took me to live with my uncle. That season was difficult—my uncle had many children, and I was often accused of wasting food. I felt unwanted and emotionally broken. Eventually, I chose to return to live with my father, even though he was struggling financially. It was better to be with someone who loved me than to endure constant rejection.

In 2020, while in high school, I encountered Jesus in a life-changing way. A pastor preached from Mark 2, where Jesus dined with sinners. The message pierced my heart: “The Son of Man did not come for the righteous, but for sinners.” That truth gave me hope—I realized that Jesus saw me, welcomed me, and loved me despite my brokenness. Soon after, I joined Young Life, where I found a community that embraced me. Everyone was welcoming, and I discovered that God is the pillar that connects us.

Through Young Life, I’ve grown in faith and leadership, and I now serve as a Developing Global Leader while pursuing a degree in Accounting and Economics at the University of Eswatini. I believe God will help me graduate, find meaningful work, and continue serving in ministry. My hope is to work hand in hand with other Young Life leaders to reach as many students as possible—so they may know Young Life, and through it, know God.