\n<\/p>\n
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) \u2014 Their dreams of celebrating their “quincea\u00f1eras\u201d seemed unattainable. Then a foundation, with the support of the police and some private companies, made it come true.<\/p>\n
Twenty-four teenagers in Bogota, Colombia on Friday celebrated their 15th birthday \u2014 a traditional rite of passage, particularly for girls, in parts of Latin America – as part of an initiative by a foundation called \u201cSue\u00f1os Hechos,\u201d or \u201cDreams come True.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy, very nervous,” said Gabriela Moncada, who had wanted a party and to wear a jade-green ball gown, but her family didn’t have the means to afford it. Then she was selected by the foundation.<\/p>\n
“It\u2019s exactly how I dreamed it would be,\u201d she said, smiling after having makeup applied by volunteer stylists.<\/p>\n
The 24 girls came to Bogota from different places around Colombia’s capital.<\/p>\n
They brought photographs of the hairstyles they wanted, and some got makeup for the first time in their lives. Then they were taken in limousines to a hall for the formal party, where police officers were waiting for them and raised their sabers to make a parade to honor them.<\/p>\n
The foundation opened a call for applications, and about 100 people registered, and after a review they picked up 24.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n