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Our Origin

Since 2005, We’ve Been Changing Lives in Colombia

Since 2005, our organization has been carrying out valuable work thanks to the vision and dedication of Maureen Orth. Born in the United States but with an immense love for Colombia, Maureen arrived in the country in the 1960s as a Peace Corps volunteer. During her stay in Medellín, she worked side by side with the community of the Belén - Las Violetas neighborhood and the Aguas Frías district to build two classrooms and give the children and young people of the district the opportunity to study. The school, inaugurated in 1965, bears Marina Orth's name as a tribute to her social work and her personal commitment to educational transformation in the most needy and remote areas of Colombia.

"Our work is not charity. There is no better way to change the world than to inspire, coach and educate children and young people to believe they can make a positive difference. By educating Colombia's most valuable resource, its children, we not only transform their lives, but we help transform the country and grow its GDP. " -Maureen Orth

Our inspirational leader

Maureen Orth received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and her M.A. in Journalism and Documentary Film from UCLA. She was an early writer for Newsweek magazine, has contributed to the New York Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stones, Vogue and has been a special correspondent for Vanity Fair for many years. She is the author of two books.

For her dedication over many decades to improving the lives of Colombian children and youth, the President of Colombia awarded her the Cross of San Carlos in 2015 and in April 2022 she was honored with the granting of Colombian citizenship in a ceremony at the Colombian Embassy in Washington DC.

The Life and Work of Maureen Orth