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DGL

YOUNG LIFE DEVELOPING GLOBAL LEADERS

STORIES AND VOICES OF YOUR GLOBAL IMPACT

2026

VICENTA Tanjay City, Philippines Negros Oriental State University MAJOR: Criminology

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Vicenta lives in Tanjay, on a southern island of the Philippines, together with her parents and seven siblings including her married brother’s wife. Throughout her childhood, she experienced many problems, struggles and confusions in life. Vicenta remembers feeling judged by neighbors and peers for being poor, and faced repeated questioning that her family could all complete their studies with so few resources.

Even more so, her home life was unstable due to her father's struggle with alcoholism and recklessness with their finances. The family walked on eggshells not wanting small things to lead to conflict, knowing that their state of poverty was always an underlying cause of stress. Vicenta met Jesus after her older sister invited her to Young Life camp. It was there that she placed her faith in God and began a journey of growing in self-confidence and trust in God. Vicenta reflects, “I've changed a lot since coming to faith, I have especially growth in having a stronger sense of self and letting my personality shine as the thoughts and behaviors of the old me have fallen away.” She is a passionate team leader committed to planning clubs, training leaders, and introducing teens in her community to the powerful love of Jesus.

Now a Developing Global Leader, Vicenta’s vision and hope for her education is to graduate from Negros Oriental State University with a degree in criminology. She wants to join the field of law enforcement hoping to help bring financial stability to her family as well as be a light in the dark places of her community.

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9

KADIATU Freetown, Sierra Leone University of Management and Technology MAJOR: Procurement

@younglifedgl

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My name is Kadiatu, my friends call me Kadie. I live in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in an apartment with my mother and eight siblings. I come from a fanatic Muslim family, and my childhood was very tough. I was very sick as a child and almost lost my life, but God intervened. My oldest sister also passed away suddenly and that was very difficult for me.

Then, my father has been ill and went through a surgical operation and cannot do anything to support the family. My mother is a trader and cannot help our family either, so I had to drop out of school to help my younger siblings. All these challenges have led to my biggest life event, which was realizing my need for Jesus as support and giving my life to Him. I gave my life to Jesus Christ at Young Life camp.

Because I was born into a Muslim home, for me to convert to Christianity was very difficult. My family was not in support of my decision, but finally decided to allow me to make it. By God’s glory, I am now a strong Christian, and no one can change that. I am a Young Life leader and am on the choir team at my church. As a recipient of the Developing Global Leaders scholarship, I am studying logistics and procurements at the University of Management and Technology in Freetown. I will be the first person in my family to graduate from university. I want to help my family with my degree as I plan to open my own store with the business knowledge I receive.

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; - Colossians 1:9

Thanks to your generosity, these DGL students are able to serve as Young Life leaders in their local communities while pursuing a university education – an opportunity most never thought possible.

CONTACT Kevin Edelbrock VP, Developing Global Leaders Kedelbrock@intl.younglife.org (713) 689-4813

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