Juan Mendoza's story:

Juan is in the fifth year of a course at the UTE university in Quito studying tourism. He lives with his brother and his mother, who works when she can as a cook, but this provides only a sporadic low income.

2012 has been a very exciting year for Juan. While he has continued to show great commitment to his studies, during the vacation, he has worked part-time at a language school in Quito, where he has made the most of the opportunity to talk to visitors and practice his English. He was also able to earn a little money, which enabled him to join a university trip to Buenos Aires in Argentina and Colonia in Uruguay, as part of his course work.This was of course his first trip abroad.

“The university trip was a wonderful opportunity”, said Juan. “In addition to improving my level of English, I got to know people from other cultures. This gave me a much broader outlook on my studies and on my life.” When he graduates, Juan has always been very keen to work with international visitors in Ecuador, initially as a tourist guide but, after some experience, as a tour operator. His experiences this year have made him even more enthusiastic and determined to do this.

2012 PROFILE

Juan is in the fourth year of a five year course at a university in Quito studying tourism. He lives with his brother and his mother, who works when she can as a cook, but this provides only sporadic income. When he was 12 years old, Juan missed a year of school because his mom couldn’t afford to pay for him to attend, but he kept on studying at home himself, because he was keen on being educated.

Juan has continued to show great commitment to his studies. During his recent vacation break from school, he worked part-time at a language school in Quito, where he made the most of the opportunity to talk to visitors and practice his English. When he graduates, he very much wants to work with international visitors in Ecuador, initially as a tourist guide but, after some experience, as a tour operator.

Juan has a very attractive, open personality, which makes him popular with his fellow students and with visitors. He greatly appreciates the opportunity he has had to study, and often helps and encourages the younger students at the Condor Trust.