Condor Trust for Education

Mariela lives in the south of Quito with her aunt. She has one brother, but no parents or grandparents. From this September, she will begin to study mechanics at school and she is really looking forward to this as in the future she would like to earn her living as a car mechanic. At the weekend, she likes to spend time with her cousin. She is also learning the guitar, and practices as regularly as she can at home.

Maryuri lives with her father, mother and six year old sister. She is a bright girl with a keen sense of fun. She has recently begun to learn the guitar and loves to come to the lessons at the Condor Trust on Saturday mornings. Any other free time she likes to spend playing in the park. Maryuri is making good progress at school and is interested in lots of subjects, so she is finding it difficult to choose what she might like to do in the future.

Karen is the second youngest of six children aged between 6 and 19. She lives with her brothers, sisters and parents in a small rented house with three rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. The family income is low and there is often not enough money to go round. Before getting help from Condor Trust, she was often unable to complete tasks at school because she couldn't buy the necessary things. It has been a great relief to her to know that her educational expenses can now be paid and that she no longer loses out when there are special activities at school. She takes the challenge of being a good student very seriously and wants in the future to have a professional career, probably as an accountant, so she can help her parents as well as herself. When not studying, Karen loves to play football.

Alexander is a very intelligent boy - the best student in his class. He loves music and is learning to play the guitar. His teacher thinks he is very gifted at it. Alex lives with his parents and a younger brother. His parents are very keen for him to do well and they support him as much as they can. He is very mature for his age and takes life seriously.

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.

Luis lives with his mother, an older sister and two younger siblings. They live in a house with two rooms, a kitchen and bathroom. Their only income is his mother's irregular, low income. Luis is very keen on science and in his spare time likes to learn more about about it. At the moment, he is undecided whether a career as a doctor or as a mechanic attracts him most.