8/20/2025 Kenya (International Christian Concern) — Inside the gates of the University of Embu in Kenya sits David Mwangi, a young man who, just two years ago, survived a terrorist raid on his village.

The attack claimed the lives of many and left his father badly injured, robbing his family of their livelihood and future. Today, Mwangi is changing the narrative.

“Now, as a student at the university, my journey is not only about pursuing education but also about proving that tragedy does not have the final say,” Mwangi said. “By God’s grace, I am rising from loss, and every step I take is a reminder that faith can turn ashes into hope.”

The night of the attack, Mwangi vividly remembers running away from his home, not knowing if he or his family members would survive.

“From afar, I saw our home going up in flames,” he recalled. “I did not know where my family members were. When the dust settled, everything we had was gone, and my father was injured. I didn’t know how to go on, but I knew I had to keep moving forward for my family.”

At the time, a way forward seemed impossible. Then International Christian Concern (ICC) heard Mwangi’s story. We sponsored Mwangi’s school fees for his first year at a university, where he studied education.

“When they told me they’d sponsor my first year at the University of Embu, I cried,” he said. “It was like someone had restored the part of me that believed in the future. They gave me more than just money for school; they gave me a reason to believe in myself again. They reminded me that God had a purpose for my life, and that my family would be proud of me for carrying on.”

Adjusting to university life was not easy. The trauma of his past lingered, and the academic demands of his program were intense. Yet Mwangi approached his studies with determination, strengthened by memories of his family and the support of ICC.

“Every time I felt like giving up, I remembered my father’s words: ‘Education is the key to a better life.’”

That determination bore fruit. At the end of his first year, Mwangi discovered that he had scored the highest in his class.

“When I saw my results, I was shocked,” he said, smiling. “I felt like I had honored my family. Remembering how sick I was during exam time made the success even more meaningful.”

As he prepares for his second year, Mwangi is filled with vision.

“I know I still have a long way to go, but I am not afraid anymore,” he said. “I want to become a great teacher and help communities like mine grow stronger. I want to show others that no matter what you lose, you can still find a way to win.”

Mwangi paused and then continued with conviction, “God spared me for a reason, and with every step I take, I’m going to make that reason count. Despite the challenges, I will remain firm and determined. I may have lost everything, but I found something even greater — a purpose. Faith carried me here, and with the support of ICC, I know the help I received was not in vain.”

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