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These are the photos from my amazing journey to visit 12 year old Hugo at his house high up in the Ecuadorian Andes. I left Quito (the capital) with my driver and guides to start the 4 hour drive to the extremely remote area where he lives. We stopped on the way to buy some supplies for his family. I was surprised when I heard what sort of things they need, such as a toothbrush each, toothpaste, soap, rice, pasta, baby milk, sugar. I also bought some sweets and a football for Hugo and the other children.

We eventually arrived after a spectacular drive to a height of 4,200 meters. It was extremely cold, windy, rainy and difficult to breathe because of the altitude. Once we arrived I understood why we needed to buy the supplies before hand because the nearest shop was a 2 hour drive away.

Meeting his family was a wonderful experience and it was amusing to deliver a box full of Feltonfleet hoodies for him and his friends and family.

His life there is very hard. He has to get up at 5 a.m. every day in order to walk for 2 hours uphill in the cold to get to school as there is no other form of transport. His school is very basic, just a room in a breeze block hut.

They have a small number of animals for food such as sheep and guinea pigs and they grow some potatoes and onions and corn. When he gets back from school he is expected to work on the land.

Their house is basic and there is no toilet or washing facilities inside. The kitchen is a simple gas cooker and a hearth. The children have no toys at all to play with as 6 year old Michelle (Hugo’s cousin) was telling me.

There is no medical centre for miles around and when the children get sick there is very little their parents can do for them with out the help of PLAN international who organize a traveling clinic to visit the community every fortnight. The sad reality is that a great many children do not survive if they are ill.

Hugo and his family were so grateful for the help we provide to them. They really wanted to say thanks for the Hoodies and the food which I took to them on the school’s behalf.

If you would like to write to Hugo please let me know and I will pass your letter on.

Mr Lanzon