HAYS, Kan. — Michel Chikwanie, a 23-year-old motivational speaker and former child soldier from the Democratic Republic of Congo, will tell his story of endurance and unimaginable pain at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the Black and Gold Room at Fort Hays State University’s Memorial Union.

Chikwanie, who was kidnapped by rebels and forced to kill at the age of 5, leaves audiences with a new perspective on life, a sense of hope through social responsibility and a desire for change.

Chikwanie’s presentation is on of several events sponsored by the university’s Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) in  September and October.