Martin (“Marto” to his friends) is a young Uruguayan man who found in TECHO way to discover himself and learn about other realities. During his time with the organization, Marto was able to try out different roles and take part in the preparation for construction projects—his favorite part, when change becomes a reality.
His journey with TECHO in 2010, when he joined the volunteer program alongside his high school classmates. At first, Marto admits that he didn’t fully understand what TECHO was all about TECHO what the organization did: “I just liked hanging out with my friends, I was kind of into construction, and I was curious to find out what TECHOdid.” At the time, Marto was in the midst of figuring out his career path, and since he thought he was interested in science, he decided to start studying biochemistry in college.
Throughout the three years he spent studying for this degree, he continued to participate in specific construction projects, and each of those experiences left a deep impression on him, leading him to rethink his professional future.
That seed that sprouted in Marto made him think,“I don’t want my job—where I’m going to spend so much of my life—to be in a laboratory.”
It was at that moment of revelation that he decided to change course and study architecture, starting from scratch. At the same time, as a volunteer at TECHO, Marto began to discover new sides of himself: he realized that he enjoyed solving problems, managing, talking with people, and working with his hands.
His first job was at a construction company, and some time later, he received an offer to become the housing and habitat coordinator at TECHO. Returning to a place where he had first picked up a hammer was an exciting opportunity, although he admits that he underestimated the challenges he might face.
“I discovered a reality that was much richer than the simplification I had made.”
At TECHO, she met multidisciplinary teams and became part of the daily work alongside other volunteers in the office. Over time, Marto also discovered her passion for teaching while training crew leaders.
As he wraps up his time as a volunteer at TECHO, Marto reflects that the organization gave him the ability—or the gift—to “recognize the opportunities that are everywhere.” And it is through his connections with his neighbors that he says he has found the most opportunities, learning from every person he has met along the way.
Marto’s story is an example of those who have watched TECHO grow, and the organization has supported them in their own growth as well. Today, Marto’s story doesn’t end here; it continues in each of the lives he has helped transform, and in every unlikely encounter that has taken place and will continue to happen as he volunteers with TECHO .