Friends of Alalay (Santa Cruz)

A charity concert to raise money for Friends of Alalay and the street children of Bolivia.

Cotham School (main school entrance), Cotham Lawn Road, BS6 6DT at 7.30 pm on Friday 13 December (doors open 7.15)

There will be no charge for the concert. The Musical and Amicable Society, a flexible collective of professional musicians, will be performing classical music on instruments of the time, including harpsichord, double bass, cello, viola and violins.  They will be playing: Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, a concerto grosso by Richard Mudge, a viola concerto by Teleman and Bach’s “Concerto for two violins” in D minor. There will be mulled wine and mince pies to add to the warm glow and everyone is welcome!

Do remember that even if you cannot make the concert there are a few Christmas cards and DVDs remaining for sale – click here for more information. As always, every penny goes to help the street kids to help themselves.

After a journey of more than 30 hours I am back in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Unfortunately for me yesterday was the hottest day here this year (a temperature difference of over 25 degrees from Bristol to Bolivia!)

Yesterday was spent at the aldea – visiting some of our supported projects – the quails, vegetable garden, bakery, textile unit… and also having a quick catch up with many of the staff and children. I even managed to witness the birth of a calf from one of Alalay’s cows!

I’m going to be here for the next month – monitoring our existing projects, having various meetings with members of the Bolivian Parliament and the Alalay staff team, discussing ideas for the future, going out on to the streets to speak with the children there and lots more besides. I will attempt to report back as often as I can with all the news, progress and challenges we face.

Back in England – a big thanks to all of those who visited our stall at the Doynton village tabletop sale which was a great success. Photos to come soon.

It is so exciting to be back in Santa Cruz and be able to see firsthand just how much we have managed to achieve over the past seven years. However, back in the city today, I was reminded once again of the ongoing necessity behind the invaluable work of Alalay – clothes hanging up in a drainage canal providing a stark reminder of life on the streets.

As we recently told those who receive our newsletter, the remaining Christmas cards are selling out fast. Each has been individually hand-painted by the ex-street children and costs just £1.50 (or 5 for £5). We are also offering two DVDs that would make great Christmas presents – one about my work with the children and the other of the cello concert held earlier this year in Bristol. These DVDs are £5 each, or you can buy the set of two for £8.

Please do get in touch with us if you would like to purchase any of the above – remember every penny received goes to help the street children to help themselves*. We will deliver within the Bristol area free of charge.

[* All production costs have been covered outside of the charity]

On Friday last I attended a fascinating talk given by Bolivian Parliamentarian Hector Arze Zaconeta (President of the Commission on Constitution, Legislation and Electoral Systems) concerning the “New Political Constitution of State” in the country. Following the talk, I was invited to the Bolivian Embassy’s “Day of the Dead” celebrations, where we listened to Andean folkloric group Sumaj Pacha and sampled a great many Bolivian delicacies.

At the events I was able to speak about my charity with a number of interesting people who have links to Bolivia. These included visiting Parliamentarian Erika Claure, President of the Commission on International Policy and Protection to Migrants, who resides in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and knows of Alalay’s work. I plan to meet with her when I return to Bolivia next week.

We are thrilled to announce that the first stage of building work at the girls’ welcome house is almost complete. In this photo you can see the much-needed extension to the psychologist’s office. As explained in our Spring newsletter this area provides a really important resource: “Group activities are a vital way of developing trust and working with children who have recently come in off the streets“. However, the psychologist had previously been working from a tiny office, unsuited for group sessions or work with more than one child at a time. The extension of this room will create a much more useful and productive space.

The second stage of this project is the creation of a multi-functional indoor space for the girls. During the wet season, a dry space is very difficult to find at the welcome house outside the children’s bedrooms. Upon its completion this space will provide a safe and dry fully-equipped area, in which the children can work and play.

Find out more about the welcome houses and the other stages of Alalay’s work HERE.

Ex-street child working on Alalay’s vegetable garden

Thanks to the Redland Green Allotment Association for raising money for Friends of Alalay through the raffle at their recent Harvest Supper party. It sounds like a great evening was had, with dancing, merriment and much more…

Please do keep checking the upcoming events page for more news of fundraising in your area, or contact us to organise something else – remember, every penny raised goes to help the street children to help themselves.

Last month Alalay organised a “gathering day” in the out-of-town centre in Santa Cruz. It was a great opportunity for all children (from both welcome houses and the main centre), staff and volunteers to come together and share food and fun – with games, dances and LOTS of food! It looks like a fantastic day was had by all. Just click on the photos below to enlarge them.

You may remember us mentioning a while ago that work had already started on the Alalay Christmas cards… (see original post here) and I am now very pleased to announce that they are ready to sell!

We have hundreds of beautiful, individually hand-made cards painted by the street children, ranging from reindeers to snowmen, candles, bells, flowers and many more for all times of the year. They cost just £1.50 per card or 5 cards for £5. Please  contact us if you would like to buy any.

MASSIVE thanks to my amazing team of card-sticking helpers – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Annie, Rev. Nke Eboma and other key members of the Church team

I was honoured to be invited as guest speaker to both the Harvest Supper and Sunday morning service at Clementswood Baptist Church, Ilford.

Firstly, I was able to tell the congregation of project progress since a kind donation from last year’s Harvest celebrations.

Secondly, it was a really great opportunity to share just how much had been achieved by individual children at Alalay. Children who have been given a chance and are now doing amazing things – in secure jobs, renting flats, bringing up their own families, at University and studying in vocational training courses… Social workers, lawyers, bankers, mechanics, beauticians, chefs…  Harvest is a perfect time to share the growth and positive achievements of these children. I am so proud of them, and to be a part of all that Alalay does!

Huge congratulations to my good friend Laura who successfully completed the “Run to the Beat” half marathon in London on Sunday, and has managed to raise a fantastic amount for Friends of Alalay in the process! It’s not too late to still sponsor her brilliant effort here…

We have not yet finalised exactly where the money raised will be spent, but just to give you an idea:

£10 could buy 18 quail birds to replace stock on the 3,000 strong quail farm. The children eat the eggs and surplus are sold in the local market to generate income for the project.

£30 could fund a child’s vocational training for a month. Over the past few years Alalay have supported 14 children through courses in cookery, car mechanics, accounting, nursing and beauty, with many children going on to study at university or work. Your money could help other children to have this opportunity.