Milena was born in Santo Domingo de los Colorados, but the family moved to Quito shortly afterwards. She is the youngest member of the family. She likes studying and has found it difficult not having face-to-face lessons during the pandemic. She has particularly missed the dance classes and presentations wearing traditional Ecuadorian dress, which the school organised.

Genesis was the best student in her class this last year, and she enjoys school very much. She is the third of four children, and lives with her brothers, sister and mother, after her parents separated last year. She does not yet know what she would like to do when she finishes school. At the moment, she enjoys music and has begun to learn to play the cello at school.

Jhonatan lives with his mother and two older brothers. His mother only has part-time work, and has to help out in the local market to try and get food. When he finishes school Jhonatan would like to be a motor mechanic. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his bike and listening to music.

Valeria lives with her mother and older sister. Her father left the family when she was a baby, and does not provide any support. Valeria got very good grades last year and likes studying, particularly natural sciences. She also likes to read in her spare time and spends a lot of time playing with her two cats.

Susana lives with her mother and two brothers. Her younger sister lives with her father, who left the family home when Susana was small. She is a very lively girl, who has done well at school so far. Susana is very keen on music and dancing, and loves to help other children who are not as advanced as her.

Jose is the oldest of three children. He loves sports and at school enjoys maths but doesn't know yet what he'd like to do once he's graduated. He lives with his parents and siblings on the outskirts of Quito.

Yanela is an only child and is sad that she has no father and no brothers or sisters. She is a determined student and has done well at school. In her spare time, she listens to music and loves to swim. When she is older, she would like to become a swimming teacher.

Kimberly is the oldest of three children and lives with her brother, sister and parents in a mountain village just outside Quito. Another baby is on the way and Kimberly is really looking forward to his/her arrival. At the moment, her ambition is to become a teacher.

Sebastian was born in Loja in the south of Ecuador and lived for five years with his grandparents, while his parents went to other cities in search of work. For the last six months he's been living in Quito with his parents and his sister: the family has been re-united.