At first glance, Flavia seemed tough and distant, more focused on the program than on casual conversation. When I first arrived to volunteer alongside her, I doubted whether she even liked me. She was always absorbed in managing the programs from start to finish, arriving first and leaving last at the drop-in center, never asking for help or expecting anything from me. Instead, she simply kept me informed about what needed to happen next and the plans for the coming days.
Over the months we worked together, I began to see beyond that initial impression. I stepped into her world and realized that her relentless work ethic wasn’t just about dedication—it was about survival. Flavia had an enormous weight on her shoulders. After spending her entire day caring for street children at the center, she would go home to a small, muddy house in one of the city's most impoverished areas, where she was raising several children on her own.
It broke my heart to realize how much I had misjudged her. Flavia’s urgency, her quiet determination, was because she was balancing so much—caring for the street children during the day and then rushing back to take care of her own family in the evenings. I was shocked to learn that at just 15 years old, she was already transforming lives. She mentored these boys, teaching them basic life skills like cooking, cleaning, and self-care, even though she herself was still a child in need of guidance and support.
Watching her, I was struck by how deeply selfless she was—mentoring kids her own age, guiding them while she too navigated her own challenges. Flavia is truly a hidden hero, humble in her service, with a heart that continues to grow in love and strength every single day. Her example profoundly changed me. I returned home a more driven and compassionate person because of her. I am grateful that God brought her into my life. Flavia embodies the love we all seek and the selflessness we should share with the world. She is an authentic servant of God, and I am forever thankful for her.Thank you, Flavia.
Jennifer