The Chota valley early in the morning.
In the north of the Ecuadorian Andes deep hidden in the Chota valley are some African communities, descendants of slaves. Its dry and relatively warm. Ulises de La Cruz is from the Piquiucho and one of Ecuador's star soccer players. The valley has actually produced many good players. Ulises lives nowadays in Quito, but decided with the fortune he made to give something back to the community, so he created 'FundeCruz', a foundation that builds houses, build a clinic and a school. He also provides micro credit. He comes often to the village to see family and friends.
In the north of the Ecuadorian Andes deep hidden in the Chota valley are some African communities, descendants of slaves. Its dry and relatively warm. Ulises de La Cruz is from the Piquiucho and one of Ecuador's star soccer players. The valley has actually produced many good players. Ulises lives nowadays in Quito, but decided with the fortune he made to give something back to the community, so he created 'FundeCruz', a foundation that builds houses, build a clinic and a school. He also provides micro credit. He comes often to the village to see family and friends.
Ulises de LaCruz leaves home; the street is being newly paved.
A poster in the office of the FundeCruz portraying Ulises de LaCruz at the 2002 World Cup.
Liga Quito plays a qualifying match in Ibarra. In the center Ulises de la Cruz. Liga lost the match.
Liga Quito plays a qualifying match in Ibarra.
After a soccer match Ulises de LaCruz invites family and friends for a dinner and drinks at a restaurant downtown Quito.
Ulises De LaCruz hands out signatures outside the Ministry of Housing in Quito.
Ulises de LaCruz in the elevator at the Ministry of Housing. He is meeting the minister to discuss the housing project in his home town of Piquiucho.
Ulises de LaCruz arrives in his village, Piquiucho. He brings cookies for all the villagers.
Ulises de LaCruz is surrounded by young fans in his home village Piquiucho.
In the north of the Ecuadorian Andes deep hidden in the Chota valley are some African communities, descendants of slaves. Its dry and relatively warm. Ulises de La Cruz is from the Piquiucho and one of Ecuador's star soccer players. The valley has actually produced many good players. Ulises lives nowadays in Quito, but decided with the fortune he made to give something back to the community, so he created 'FundeCruz', a foundation that builds houses, build a clinic and a school. He also provides micro credit. He comes often to the village to see family and friends.
For the participants of the last beauty contest in Piquiucho, Ulises has brought fruitshakers and iron machines.
Ulises de LaCruz discusse with neighbours the construction of new houses in Piquiucho.
Ulises de la Cruz meets his aunt Maria Olga de LaCruz (75) in Piquiucho. She lives with her husband in one of the new houses that Ulises donated to the village.
In the north of the Ecuadorian Andes deep hidden in the Chota valley are some African communities, descendants of slaves. Its dry and relatively warm. Ulises de La Cruz is from the Piquiucho and one of Ecuador's star soccer players. The valley has actually produced many good players. Ulises lives nowadays in Quito, but decided with the fortune he made to give something back to the community, so he created 'FundeCruz', a foundation that builds houses, build a clinic and a school. He also provides micro credit. He comes often to the village to see family and friends.
The village of Piquiucho in the Chota valley. The road is the Pan-American highway leading to Colombia.
The village of Piquiucho in the Chota valley. The road is the Pan-American highway leading to Colombia.
