My name is Wiktoria but my friends call me Tori. I live in Warsaw, Poland. My parents were never married, and my biological father did not want kids. My mom had me despite my father trying to talk her into an abortion. I am inspired by my mom's faith and courage to trust God. Financial struggles, losses of loved ones, and illness has been an ongoing struggle. My mom has a job, but it does not provide a stable income for our family. This is my biggest adversity right now and makes life difficult.

As a child, I was very active in church and enjoyed prayer. In elementary school, I started to feel anxious, alone, rejected by my friends and questioned my identity. I distanced myself from faith and God. After my aunt died, I also felt extreme loneliness and emptiness. However, I heard a voice in my heart telling me to read my Bible. The moment I opened it, I was overcome with peace. I felt confidence that God is in control and that He will not leave me. I then got connected to Young Life and went to camp. I am now a junior team leader.

Now a Developing Global Leader, I am studying Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology/Social Science at the University of Warsaw. After graduation, I would like to teach or continue my academic career with a Masters or PhD.  My dream would be staying at the university and becoming a tutor or active researcher and continue serving with Young Life.