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Nico’s Story

Nico came to Buenos Aires with his mother and two brothers not long after his father died. They found themselves in a shanty town sharing a squalid room with no sanitation, living in a neighbourhood ruled by gangs, and being forced to pay a costly rent that made buying necessities and food a difficult task.

Although life was hard for Nico and his family, things began to change when they were welcomed into our rugby project in Buenos Aires. They were given immense support to establish a new lifestyle for themselves, receiving a hot meal once a week and health check-ups by the Atlas-funded doctor. At first the doctor was concerned for their health due to their squalid living conditions, but with the help of Virreyes, Nico and his family are in good health and better spirits.

The project leaders helped Nico’s mother to find her own small home on the edge of the shanty town with running water and drainage she affords with her new job and from the freedom of gang taxes. Nico and his brothers are now flourishing also and attend the local school where they are hopeful for their future free from gangs and violence.

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