“We always have to persist, persist in the face of any problem,” says 19-year-old Matteo,
who left his home country of Colombia for Spain two years ago to escape insecurity and threats to his life. Matteo, who used to be part of a marching band back home, has a deep love for music thanks to a close friend who taught him how to play the mellophone. This friend was killed in Colombia less than a year ago and Matteo recalls “feeling powerless for not being able to be at his funeral.” Despite the grief, Matteo finds strength in his friend’s memory: “He always told me his problem and in a few days I always saw him overcome it,” he says, “I want to pay tribute to his legacy in some way, whatever the cost.” Matteo’s request for asylum in Spain has been denied, but he continues to move forward with hope. “My dream now is [to] Continue with the PCI that I am doing in hotel business. And, try to get some work … and in the moments I have free time to keep inculcating myself with music,” he says.
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