Not all footballers are bling bling tossers

[Jimbo 133]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6302665.stm

 

 

A South American footballer playing in the English Premiership is spending his high salary not on fast cars and big houses, but on rebuilding an entire community where he grew up.

 

Ulises de la Cruz, who plays at Reading, was born in the Afro-Ecuadorian village of Piquiucho.

 

It is a three-hour drive north of Quito, the capital, nestled high in the Andes mountains, close to the Colombian border.

 

Ramshackle homes are perched on the hillside at the top of the Chota Valley beside the PanAmerican highway.

 

It is like stepping back into a little piece of Africa. Along with the vibrant culture, there is poverty.

 

Jobila Jorga lives in a two-room shack with her extended family of 12. She says Ulises "is the only one who cares".

 

"The government has done nothing to help us, we have been ignored by the authorities.

 

"He has provided a fresh water supply, it prevents disease spreading. We used to get fungus on our skin because of the dirty water."

 

The 32-year-old defender explains: "The 2002 World Cup, when Ecuador qualified for the first time, financed the 18km of water pipes and a treatment system.

 

"The 2006 World Cup in Germany, when we reached the second round, was important because the success means I can finance a new sports and community centre, now under construction."

 

Each day, 100 primary school children receive breakfast and lunch at school, courtesy of the Ulises De la Cruz Foundation.

 

He has built a medical centre and has been sending money to pay for a doctor, a dentist and a nurse at the clinic.

 

De la Cruz is planning to build 40 new homes. The executive director of the foundation, Julio Cesar Larco, says building will start next month.

 

But the biggest project under way is the sports centre. It is being constructed against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes mountains.

 

 

The defender calculates he sends about 10% of his salary each month back to Ecuador, sometimes several times a week.

 

There is also the big capital expenditure - like $200,000 for the sports and community centre.

 

Despite providing 11 players for the national football team in the past two World Cup finals, the community feels it is not getting any recognition or help.

 

De la Cruz's best friend is Agustin Delgado, a forward for Ecuador who used to play for Southampton. They grew up together.

 

Delgado set up a football academy in Juncal, next to Piquiucho six years ago. Seventeen graduates already play for two of the top teams in the country.

 

The playing pitch is a large area of scrubland, just dirt and stones, either side of the vast Rio Chota road bridge with traffic thundering overhead.

 

 

The technical director, Jose Carcalen, says: "The players are special because they face such hardship but work even harder to escape poverty. It's not just about football, the players have to study every morning before practising in the afternoon, it's about developing individuals to improve their chances of a better life."

 

The Ecuador team has reignited national pride in a country where around 70% of the population live in poverty - it is 80% in rural areas.

 

The tourism minister in the newly formed government, Maria Isabel Salvador, says Ulises and the other national team members "have been great for the country's self-esteem".

 

"For the past 20 years, Ecuador has been in a deep moral and political crisis. But the Afro-Ecuadorians, since their arrival as slaves, have been neglected by the government and set apart from the rest of society. The government has not taken care of them."

 

De la Cruz is hoping that his generosity will encourage the government to invest in Piquiucho. There is a new President, Rafael Correa, whose election campaign focused on human rights and sweeping social welfare reforms.

 

While the country, including the Chota Valley, waits to see if he can deliver his promises, work goes on in Piquiucho.

 

In a few months' time, the sports centre will open. It's a place where the 700 villagers will be able to maintain their sense of community. The children will learn La Bomba - a dance unique to the Chota Valley Afro-Ecuadorians.

 

It is living proof that, despite their circumstances, with a little help from its most famous son, Piquiucho's vibrant spirit and culture will be preserved.

 

But most importantly, de la Cruz says: "I want to create opportunities for the children to show that they can have a brighter future."

[Rob W 0]

it's a pity more of them don't do it

[Jimbo 133]

it's a pity more of them don't do it

 

I wish Dyer would, Suffolk is like a nuclear holocaust tbh.

[Gejon 2]

I know Boa Morte lives in a modest house and drives a Corsa, no idea what he does with the rest though!

[Matty 0]

I know Boa Morte lives in a modest house and drives a Corsa, no idea what he does with the rest though!

 

 

Flashy twat.

[FCUM 1]

To be fair, Rio Ferdinand keeps an entire community of poor South African gold miners in employment

[Jimbo 133]

I know Boa Morte lives in a modest house and drives a Corsa, no idea what he does with the rest though!

 

 

and keeps his DVD collection in a cardboard box

 

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

I know Boa Morte lives in a modest house and drives a Corsa, no idea what he does with the rest though!

Drugs & prostitutes tbh. And gambling on illegal dog fights.

[FCUM 1]

I know Boa Morte lives in a modest house and drives a Corsa, no idea what he does with the rest though!

Drugs & prostitutes tbh. And gambling on illegal dog fights.

 

At least he doesn't waste it then.

[Invicta_Toon 0]

I spent all my money from football on women and champagne. The rest .....

[Optimistic Nut 9]

Good to see footballers doing this. Robert also does a similar thing for disabled & orphaned kids in the Reunion Islands.

[Meenzer 14228]

"I still keep an eye out for news of orphanages for disabled kids in Newcastle."

[FCUM 1]

Another one I'd put in the same bracket (although I know he's not popular with you lot ) is Solskjaer.

 

He'd just signed a new boot deal prior to his last big injury and knowing he wouldn't be playing he gave the whole lot to the NSPCC.

[Meenzer 14228]

Is he not?

 

I don't mind him.

[Invicta_Toon 0]

if 80% of the country is in poverty, where do the taxes come from to provide housing and the like?

[Tooj 17]

Is he not?

 

I don't mind him.

Nar he's a twat for bringing Rob Lee down before!

[Meenzer 14228]

Is he not?

 

I don't mind him.

Nar he's a twat for bringing Rob Lee down before!

Ah yeah, I'd forgotten about that. Though without wishing to come over all Sima, we'd have been "GERRIN!"-ing to the rooftops if one of our players had done the same.

[Lazarus 0]

Is he not?

 

I don't mind him.

Nar he's a twat for bringing Rob Lee down before!

Ah yeah, I'd forgotten about that. Though without wishing to come over all Sima, we'd have been "GERRIN!"-ing to the rooftops if one of our players had done the same.

 

That mustve been 10 years ago !

 

[Gejon 2]

Another one I'd put in the same bracket (although I know he's not popular with you lot ) is Solskjaer.

 

He'd just signed a new boot deal prior to his last big injury and knowing he wouldn't be playing he gave the whole lot to the NSPCC.

 

They got a good team lilke?

[luckyluke 1]

To be fair, Rio Ferdinand keeps an entire community of poor South African gold miners in employment

 

Not to mention Columbia's most popular business. Allegedly.

[Rob W 0]

real choholic that lad..........

[wykikitoon 17417]

To be fair, Rio Ferdinand keeps an entire community of poor South African gold miners in employment

 

[Invicta_Toon 0]

Jenas does his bit for the young homeless in North London

[ChezGiven 0]

I know Boa Morte lives in a modest house and drives a Corsa, no idea what he does with the rest though!

 

 

Flashy twat.

 

Better than a fleshy one though.