My name is Stuart, I’m 22 years old and I’m from a high-risk neighborhood on the  southside of San Jose. When I was born, my mother lived in extreme poverty and the family situation was very complicated. She was 33 years old, suffered from diabetes and the pregnancy was considered very risky. My arrival complicated things even more.

My father abandoned us when I was 5 years old, I have always lived with my mother and my two brothers. My mother fought against poverty. She wanted to give us an education, so she to save money she would eat only one meal a day. When I was a teenager my life got complicated. I took the wrong path when I turned 14. I  started drinking a lot and had a lot of problems at school.

My life changed from the first moment I arrived at FundaVida. I arrived thanks to a friend and I must say that it was the best decision of my life. I started in the Youth with a Purpose program when I was almost 15 years old. From the first day, I felt that it was going to bring changes in my life. I improved academically and in my behavior. I stopped drinking and  was able to pass the eighth grade.

Today, I am a vocational college graduate with a technical degree in Industrial Electronics. In addition, I currently work at Banco de Costa Rica, and I am in the middle of my college career, teaching Social Studies.

The impact that FundaVida has left in my life is gigantic. I thank God and all the people who make this project possible. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without FundaVida. I am proud to say that I was part of a program that really changes lives.