The village of Cajabamba (Kichwa: Kashapampa, "thorn plain") is situated in a fertile arable valley in Colta Canon, Chimborazo Province (Chimborazo = "snows on the other side").
In the background of the oval shield is the mount Chimborazo, while the river originating from its base represents the Guayas.
At an early age her father, a sailor and agriculturalist, sent her to a convent in the Andean city of Riobamba, 30 km from the base of Chimborazo.
Most Ecuadoran children trafficked into Venezuela come from the provinces of Chimborazo and Cañar in the Andean region, a predominately indigenous area.
Riobamba is the trekking and mountain climbing capital of Ecuador and is a base to climb Carihuairazo, Chimborazo, Sangay, El Altar, and the Lost Pyramid of Puñay.