After fifteen years of working with our partners in Medellin, El Carmen de Viboral, La Ceja and other municipalities of Antioquia, Colombia, we have achieved the following:
For 2022 we have set a goal to have an impact on:
Geographic Impact in Colombia
A Few Shining Examples
“In my case, the Marina Orth Foundation was able to close the gap for me between what I really wanted to do with my life versus just being able to survive. Thanks to the foundation and to my mentors, former Peace Corps volunteer Howard Ellegant and Carol Ellegant, today I have the possibility to choose my destiny and to take risks knowing that within myself I have what I need to fulfill my dreams.”
Marlon is a graduate of the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana Law School, and English C1 level. He wrote his first book about the armed conflict in Colombia and interned on Capitol Hill in the Congress of the United States of America.
Marlon Vargas, Our First Lawyer
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellín)
“I’m currently doing my practice teaching at the private Marymount School, where I am a substitute English teacher. During my practice teaching, I want to be a model representative for both the Foundation and my University. I want to thank the Marina Orth Foundation for giving me the opportunity to grow and develop my career and aspirations. God bless you.”
Valentina Ortiz
Junior – Foreign Language Teacher
Universidad Catolica Luis Amigo
Yineth Vásquez came to Marina Orth School in 2004 as a ten year old after her family was forced to leave their community due to violence. She quickly became a school leader and in her last year she was elected to be the school’s Student Representative. This formative experience led her to become interested in government and politics. Thanks to a foundation scholarship to study at the university level she received her undergraduate degree in psychology in order to help with the reconstruction of her community in the post-conflict era of Colombia.
At the end of 2016, Yineth was hired to be coordinator of the Foundation’s scholarship program to oversee the success of 38 foundation graduates who are now pursuing university degrees. Yineth describes herself as “passionate, a feminist, an environmentalist, and a collaborator.” How proud we are of her!
“For me, being a part of the Foundation is a dream because my time in the Marina Orth Educational Institution made me into the person that I am.”
Yineth Vásquez
Undergraduate Degree in Psychology
Scholarship Program Coordinator – Marina Orth Foundation