THE PURPOSE OF THE FLAGBAG
The StreetSmart FlagBag is designed as a practical and flexible tool that supports educators in delivering non-formal education directly in the environments where children and young people live. With a set of educational flags covering seven key topics, it enables interactive, playful, and accessible learning experiences in streets, public spaces, and community settings.
The methodology encourages participation and dialogue, allowing children and young people to engage actively in the learning process. As highlighted by the street educators from Fundación Alalay, the strength of the Flagbag lies in its adaptability to daily realities:
“The use of the flags makes it possible to take learning beyond rigid spaces, adapting it to the everyday reality of children and adolescents living in street situations, in a closer and more practical way.” – Ciro T., Street Educator.
OUR PARTNER
Fundación Alalay is a well-established organisation in Bolivia with more than 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in vulnerable situations. Based in La Paz, the organisation supports around 10,000 children each year through programmes focused on street outreach, protection, prevention, and advocacy.
Its Street Programme plays a key role in reaching children living or working on the streets, offering educational, psychosocial, and reintegration support. The organisation has a structured and committed team of professionals and volunteers who carry out daily interventions in both street and community settings, creating a strong foundation for the integration of the FlagBag methodology.
THE TARGET GROUP
The FlagBag in Bolivia is used to reach children, adolescents, and young people living in highly vulnerable conditions, many of whom are directly connected to street life. This includes children who work in markets, those living partially or fully on the streets, and others growing up in unstable family environments affected by poverty, migration, or social exclusion.
In cities like La Paz and El Alto, many children face limited access to education, exposure to violence, and the need to generate income from an early age. Fundación Alalay also works closely with families, caregivers, and community members, strengthening the protective environment around the children and supporting their development.
HOW THE FLAGBAG WILL BE USED
During the launch week, the methodology was immediately applied through two field interventions. In the Zona Scouts area in La Paz, around 34 children and adolescents participated in group-based activities using five educational flags, transforming a public sports field into an open learning space.
A second session took place in Villa Dolores, El Alto, where 61 participants, including children, youth, and adults, engaged in rotating activities using eight flags. The sessions created a dynamic and participatory environment where learning was combined with play, movement, and interaction.
Educators also highlighted the versatility of the methodology in their daily work:
“Having a new methodological resource that is so versatile and designed around the reality of children and adolescents in street situations does not just give us another tool — it allows us to engage in a multifaceted way, combining play, reflection, prevention, care, and other elements that perfectly align with the different areas of our programme and objectives.” – Cristian Valda, Street Programme Coordinator.
Following the launch, the FlagBag will be used several times per week across different locations in La Paz and El Alto, integrated into both street outreach activities and centre-based sessions.
LOOKING AHEAD
The launch of the StreetSmart Flagbag in Bolivia marks the beginning of a promising and strong collaboration with Fundación Alalay, as they also started a brand new mobile school in Santa Cruz. The strong engagement of the team, combined with their experience in working with children in street situations, provides a solid foundation for long-term impact.
In the coming months, the organisation plans to expand the use of the FlagBag across its Street Programme and target groups, while strengthening implementation through digital tools such as StreetSmart Impact and Learn. With continued use, training, and structured follow-up, the FlagBag is expected to significantly enhance educational outreach and support for children and young people in vulnerable situations.
We would like to warmly thank Upgrade Estate for making the realisation of this StreetSmart FlagBag possible. Their support directly contributes to expanding educational opportunities for children and young people in Bolivia.
Would you like to help us bring mobile schools and FlagBags to children who need them most? Your support makes a difference. Donate here and help us create opportunities for every child.
