Manuel is the second of five children. He lives with his mother, as his father has abandoned them. Manual couldn't go to school for two years because his mother couldn't afford it, so he is particularly happy to have the support of the Condor Trust and to be making up for lost time. He is a very responsible boy. His passion is playing the guitar. According to his mother he spends every moment he can practicing. His great dream at the moment is to go to Loja at Christmas. This is a town in the south of Ecuador where his grandparents live, and Manuel wants to play them some songs on his guitar.

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.

Mauricio has lived with his uncle, aunt and their two children since his parents died when he was five. His uncle has irregular work as a builder, and his aunt tries to find cleaning jobs. Mauricio likes school and is keen to learn to play the guitar.

James has been under the care of his elder brother after the death of his father in 1997. His mother lives in the countryside with the younger siblings. Being a teacher at an informal primary school in Kibera, James' brother struggles to raise school fees for him owing to the fact that he has a young family with two kids to provide for. This situation puts James' future in school in the balance since his brother has already stated that if the load gets too heavy for him then he will have no option but to stop paying his younger brother's fees. Having James on this platform is ensuring his continued stay in school and securing his otherwise bright future in the academic circle.