Abi

Meet Abi

Growing up in Bolivia, Abi (pictured above), now 18 years old, lived with her mother, who worked selling sweets on the streets of La Paz and El Alto. Despite her mother’s efforts, they couldn’t afford rent and were eventually forced to live on the streets. Reflecting on that time, Abi shares:

“The cold was the worst thing – it makes you feel like all your insides are frozen. You cover yourself with newspaper and blankets - but your bones still ache from the chill. I was always so afraid of the dangers of sleeping there.”

It was in 2018 when Abi first met Alalay, Toybox’s local partner, when she was out selling one day. They heard how her younger brother had been denied hospital care because the family lacked official documentation. The team stepped in, helping them obtain birth certificates. With support, the family also moved off the streets and began renting a room again.

Abi started regularly attending the project where she’s been supported to plan for her future and build her confidence. She shares, “Since meeting Alalay, I’ve opened my mind and worked with them on my life plan. They’ve helped me with a lot of things. I feel safe at the project. I know that if I’m feeling sad, there will be someone there who listens and help me process things.”

Finding a voice

Karina, a member of the Alalay team, remembers first meeting Abi. She shares: “I met Abi about six years ago, when she started attending the workshops for young leaders. She was a quiet girl who didn’t talk much. When she was invited to be part of the Girls’ Football Team and travel to Doha, I saw a very interesting change. Abi became a defender of children’s rights. She got more involved in workshops and even served as class president at her school.

"In January 2023, Abi attended the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. On that occasion, Abi was a voice for thousands of boys and girls whose rights are denied and who live on the streets or in violent environments.”

Diaries from La Paz

More recently, Abi took part in Diaries from La Paz, a documentary created with Alalay and Danish NGO International Børnesolidaritet. The film shares the personal stories and self-filmed footage of young people growing up in street situations. Reflecting on her involvement in the documentary and the impact of the support she’s received from Alalay over the years, she shares:

“The Alalay team have supported me a lot and taught me many things. They made me feel that I wasn’t alone and helped me trust in myself. Going to the project always felt like a breath of fresh air. I felt relieved, valued, respected and protected. Learning about children’s rights was very important. It had a big influence on my life and gave me a lot of self-confidence to express myself. As a leader of the ‘Yo También Cuento’ network and an Ambassador for Toybox, I was able to take part in events representing my country. That’s something I’m very proud of."

Pictured above: Abi at the project.

"I wanted my story and my participation in the documentary to show the experiences and difficulties that people face when living on the streets. These are real-life accounts of boys and girls who go through very difficult times, surrounded by violence as a daily occurrence. I felt inspired because I realised I’d been through many difficult things, and at first, I didn’t see my strength as an act of resilience. But hearing and watching my story again gave me much more strength to keep going and not give up.

"I would like people to understand that there are so many harsh and painful realities for thousands of children who survive on the streets, who lose hope and fight to change their lives. I hope people will open their hearts and that together we can create a more compassionate world for young people who suffer daily.”

Pictured above: Abi in her football kit (2022). “One of my greatest successes was getting on the Girls’ Football Team. Despite all my challenges of having a very difficult life and having almost no money, I’m still trying to move forward and come out the other end.”

A final message from Abi

For Toybox supporters, reading her story Abi shares, “I want them to know that I felt very fortunate to be a spokesperson for children who can’t speak about their difficulties. The children supported by Alalay all have hope for their lives, and they are very strong and brave.

"The advice I would give other young people who are thinking about sharing their stories would be to not be afraid as it’s act of resilience and courage. Their stories can inspire many others, creating hope and empathy.”

Pictured above: Abi (L) with Alalay staff member, Karina.