Fusion International is an unbelievable organization. It helps the people where they need help the most, and allows the community to be involved in finding their own solutions. It is respectful of those they are helping. Matt is an inspiration to us all.

Fusion International has been in my life for only a few years. Matt has been in my life since he was very young. Even at this age you knew he was going to be awesome at whatever he did. And, look what he has done with Fusion! I am very happy for Fusion and Matt with all their accomplishments! Keep up the great work! It is terrific that Matt is being recognized for the great work he is doing! Thank you, Matt and to the people of Columbia! My best wishes to you all! Oh, and by the way, Matt, congrats on your engagement!

I live in Bogotá and know personally Mat. He's an awesome guy with so much energy for helping people that almost all the time makes you feel somehow bad about not helping you own people. He's so compromised with the community that is for me an honor to say that he's my friend. Thanks folks for all that support and help. By the way, can you pleas e remove the beach slide from the bonus feature.. all pictures are from Bogotá but the beach is in the coast and out of context due is pretty far from the city and is not related with the Fusion community impact. :

Not only is Matt's vision right on, but his patience and determination are so incredibly admirable. Most of us who see the traditional development paradigm as broken lack the wherewithal to try to affect change. He is one of those rare individuals who is able to harness his dissatisfaction with the status quo and channel it in the most positive of ways. You're to be commended, Mateo.

I have had the pleasure of working with Matt and his group and they have the right approach. They dont create dependency, they create skills and help exploit opportunity that is there for the community. They are selfless but pragamatic in their approach. You see so much wasted money with other efforts that is refreshing when someone gets it right. The community center they have built is self goverened by the community, the people take charge and work together to make a better life for themselves and their neighbors with Fusion's assistance. It is a great business model.

It's a great work what they do. They're really interessed in the community. I'd like to do something similar maybe in Africa.

I don't have any personal experiences with volunteer work, but I strongly belief that Matt's approach is one that really makes sense. Instead of just confirming that these people are poor and giving them money for the only reason that the have more of it, it seems very useful to provide aid or support with the goal that they can develop themselves. It's a sort of aid for self-aid and gives independance to the people involved. They can gain new skills and knowledge that enable them to make their ideas real.