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Friends of FundeCruz

The Afro-Ecuadorian village of Piquiucho in northern Ecuador's Valle del Chota is a three-hour drive from Quito, the nation's capital.

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De la Cruz, who is a UNICEF ambassador, donated about 10% of his salary from Birmingham City.

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The plight of its people only became known following the selection of seven of the villages' sons to represent Ecuador's eleven member team in the World Cup in 2002 and 2006.

Ulises de la Cruz

Born in Piquiucho, a small village in the Valle del Chota, one of Ecuador's poorest regions, De la Cruz set up the charity Friends of FundeCruz to fund a number of projects serving the local community, to which he donates about 10% of his salary.

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De la Cruz has set up a charity, Friends of FundeCruz, in his home village to fund a number of projects serving the local community.

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