Meet Matías

A Little Leader with Big Dreams

Matías lives with his mother, Jarley, in Soacha—a community just outside of Bogotá—where they share a room in his grandmother’s house. “It’s the two of us against the world,” says his mom with a mix of determination and tenderness. Together, they’ve built a strong, resilient bond rooted in love and perseverance.

Three years ago, Jarley made the courageous decision to leave her job due to health issues and to better care for Matías, her only child. She now works by crafting and tutoring preschoolers—allowing her to stay close to her son, even if it means a more limited income.

A Passionate, Generous Spirit

Matías is charismatic, sensitive, and deeply caring. Even when he goes without, he finds joy in helping others. He dreams of becoming a leader—and in many ways, he already is one. He guides his classmates, organizes activities, and encourages his peers with a joyful heart.

He’s also passionate about media—especially cameras, videos, and creating content to promote his school, Liceo Nueva Vida. For Matías, it’s not just about shining himself; he wants to help his school shine too.

“Liceo Nueva Vida gave us our lives back. And that’s not a metaphor,” says his mother. “There, Matías smiled again, hoped again, and began to dream again.”

Matías looks forward to every school day, misses it when it’s closed, and leaps into every opportunity with excitement—especially when he can serve others. For his mother, seeing him happy again is more than enough reason to keep pushing through every hardship.

Support the Future

Matías is a living example of what happens when a child finds a place where he is loved, heard, and believed in. Supporting Liceo Nueva Vida means helping more children like Matías flourish, lead, and shape a better tomorrow.