Before being deprived of his freedom, Gabriel “Mambo” used to sleep with a gun under his pillow. The path of crime led him to be imprisoned for 4 years, during which time he met the Gladiators of Unit 47 of San Martín.

Upon regaining his freedom, he completed work placements in our Entretiempo program and now works for the company Correo Urbano. This is his story:

“My life was a disaster. I grew up in a family that lived off crime. As a child I saw how my brothers came home with gold, dollars and cars. I saw where they got those things from. I went to school until 6th grade and when I was 13 I started stealing. I didn't learn to do anything other than that.

When I was 16, in a confrontation with the police, I was shot in the back and it came out through my lung. In the hospital they didn't give me 24 hours to live, but I managed to recover and a month later I left the hospital. I continued committing crimes. I was 16 years old when I was deprived of my freedom.

What affected me the most was the death of my brothers. There are eight of us: four are dead and the others are deprived of their freedom. That hit me very hard. Thank God I met rugby, I met Lau, Fede (volunteers) and the Foundation.

Through sport I learned many values. Rugby taught me to control anger, I took out all my anger on the field. By praying the rosary, I could chat with the volunteers who made you smile. One was bitter and they came with an impressive attitude, gave you a hug and listened to your problems. Thanks to them, I am where I am.

There is nothing more beautiful than being free, going out to the square, eating something with your family, without anyone looking for you, without the police looking for you. I love my job. I have some colleagues who talk to me, who tell me not to give up, they encourage me to keep going and I am super happy.

Now I get up at 5 in the morning, I go to work, I get home and I'm calm. "My life is different."