Cristian studied at a small rural high school outside of Ollantaytambo. He is older than the other students, since he was forced to begin elementary school much later due to family troubles. Growing up, he suffered family challenges but through perseverance, graduated high school as a leader against all odds.

Gabriel lost his mother and father at a very young age and is being raised by his grandmother. He lives in a shanty town behind a mechanics garage on the outskirts of Kissemah Village. He walks over a mile everyday to attend Mawuvio's School. In his free time Gabriel does odd jobs for people to earn money for himself and his grandmother to eat.