Regardless of his innocence, he was sentenced to spend three years in jail. Upon losing the family’s primary source of income, the mother, Nadia, was forced to sell the family’s most valuable possessions to pay for accumulated legal fees and support her children. Nadia sold the television, computer, kitchen table and chairs, beds, and even the gas tank they used to cook. Still, it was a struggle for the family to make ends meet.

Cindi Tompkins from Couer d’Alene, Idaho, was one of the dedicated Young Living members who contributed to giving back to the Mateo-Santana family. Her humbling experience evoked much emotion as she explained, “I don’t speak Spanish, but when Nadia smiles at me and I smile back, that’s the only form of communication that we need. She walks around saying ‘Gracias!’ all day. You know that we are making a huge difference because of the gratitude that they show.”

Ivanny, the family’s oldest child, received her diploma in the Young Living Academy’s first graduation ceremony in 2016. This bright and ambitions student saw the pain and injustice that her father suffered and felt empowered to pursue a law degree. Ivanny is currently two semesters into her studies and is passing all her classes with stellar grades. She is working hard to follow her dream of becoming an attorney so she can help people like her father receive fair treatment. To read more about Ivanny's story specifically, CLICK HERE.

September 26, 2018