35 years of restoring rights and building a dignified future for street children and highly vulnerable children and adolescents.
Recibe información sobre nuestras acciones y programas en favor de la restitución de derechos y la protección de niñas, niños y adolescentes en situación de calle y riesgo social.
Al suscribirte aceptas recibir comunicaciones institucionales de Fundación ALALAY.We are the ALALAY Foundation, and since 1990 we have been walking alongside children and adolescents who have experienced life on the streets, abandonment, vulnerability, or who have been victims of violence.
We believe in second chances and in the power of compassionate and consistent support.
Every story matters; that is why we work to protect and restore rights, to heal wounds, and to pave the way for integral development.
To provide life-changing opportunities through the Street, Protection, Prevention, and Advocacy programs, supporting and empowering those who need it most.
To inspire and encourage girls, boys, adolescents, and families at high social risk to fully exercise their rights and enjoy a dignified life in a sustainable manner.
To ensure that children, adolescents, and young people living on the streets and in vulnerable situations can fully exercise their rights, by fostering spaces where they can exercise, share, and promote their rights and responsibilities within a society that actively respects and protects them.
It is the force that transforms society.
Fair and empathetic treatment of everyone.
We recognize that we all have rights and responsibilities.
We demonstrate our honesty and ethical standards in the management of resources
We are supportive, and we bring professionalism and dedication to our work.
At ALALAY, we help make dreams come true, and
together we can make them a reality
Paola grew up in a neighborhood in Santa Cruz where soccer was said to be a boys’ game. At age 13, her shyness followed her everywhere, and every time she tried to approach her school’s soccer field, she heard the same thing: “Soccer isn’t for girls.” Little by little, she began to believe that her voice didn’t matter.
Everything changed when educators from ALALAY arrived with prevention workshops and mixed-gender soccer sessions. At first, Paola watched from a distance. She was afraid of making a mistake, of being told again that she couldn’t do it. But she found something different: a space where she was heard, where her opinion mattered, and where every pass on the field was also a step toward building her confidence.
Over time, the shy girl began to speak up, play, and smile more. She discovered that soccer belonged to her too, that she could lead, participate, and dream big.
Today, at 16, Paola is a member of the Committee for Children and Adolescents. From that platform, she advocates for equality and encourages other girls to believe in themselves. Her story is a powerful reminder: when opportunities open up, voices grow stronger and dreams find a way.
Because, as Paola says: Yes, we can!
My name is Joaquín, and I was 7 years old when I arrived at Alalay in 1990. I was living alone on the street, sleeping on cardboard boxes, and scavenging for food however I could. I felt scared, cold, and lonely. But that year, my life changed. Claudia welcomed me with a smile and said, “You’ll be safe here.” At Alalay, I went back to school, learned to trust others, played on a real soccer field for the first time, and discovered my passion: sports. They took care of me, taught me discipline, and gave me a home where I was listened to and valued. Today, I’m a physical education teacher and a FIFA referee. Every time I step onto a field, I remember where I came from and thank Alalay for believing in me when no one else did. I am living proof that, with love, opportunities, and guidance, you can succeed. Thank you, Alalay, for changing my destiny.
At ALALAY, we believe that every girl, boy, teenager, and young adult deserves the opportunity to build a future full of hope.
That’s why we work through four strategic programs that support every stage of their personal and social transformation.
Discover how, together, we open doors to a dignified future full of possibilities.
Programs That Pave the Way:
Prevention, Street Outreach, Protection, and Advocacy
Serving our most vulnerable children.
info@alalay.org
2121222