Friends of FundeCruz is an Ecuadorian and British charity, founded on 17 June 2002 by Ulises de la Cruz in order to raise money to fund a number of projects serving the local community of Piquiucho, a village in the Valle del Chota. The charity was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 25 October 2007. De la Cruz, who is a ambassador, donated about 10% of his salary from Birmingham City. History The Afro-Ecuadorian village of Piquiucho in northern Ecuador's Valle del Chota is a three-hour drive from Quito, the nation's capital. It is in one of Ecuador’s poorest regions. The village is not on official maps, and services to its inhabitants have been non-existent. The plight of its people only became known following the selection of seven of the villages' sons to represent in the World Cup in 2002 and 2006. Activities FundeCruz focuses on children's nutrition, health, education and sports development. It provides daily meals for more than 100 primary school children, running water for a whole village, has founded a hospital, a school and the construction of a community sports centre. The foundation has also funded a water treatment plant, a health centre and a sports ground. Fundecruz was an official charity of the February 2008 Ruta del Sol.
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