Condor Trust for Education

Genesis lives with her mother and older brother in a rented room on the outskirts of the city. Her father abandoned the family some years ago. They share a kitchen and a bathroom with other families. Her mother works selling food to local people when she can, but she has severe health problems and often cannot work. Genesis enjoys going to school and has always tried hard to attend regularly. This has not been easy, as she sometimes has to look after her mother when she is ill. The financial and other support Condor Trust has given over the past year has helped, and her first year at secondary school has been successful. Genesis is very keen to do well. She is a mature girl and knows that in the long run education is the best way for her to improve her own and her mother's situation.

Michelle has a younger sister and lives with her mother, her aunt and her grandmother. Her father has left them, and this has given Michelle some very sad moments. In spite of this, she is a very lively girl, sure of herself and mature for her age. She is a very good student and regularly gets good grades. She is always keen to become involved in activities at school and at the foundation. Michelle has several young cousins, all of them girls, and she has become a role model for them to follow.

Gabriel lives with his parents and a much younger sister. He has won awards in inter-school competitions in both maths and language studies. He also likes music and comes regularly to guitar classes at the Condor Trust.

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.

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.

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.