BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Their dreams of celebrating their “quinceañeras” seemed unattainable. Then a foundation, with the support of the police and some private companies, made it come true.

Twenty-four teenagers in Bogota, Colombia on Friday celebrated their 15th birthday — a traditional rite of passage, particularly for girls, in parts of Latin America – as part of an initiative by a foundation called “Sueños Hechos,” or “Dreams come True.”

“I’m 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.

“It’s exactly how I dreamed it would be,” she said, smiling after having makeup applied by volunteer stylists.

The 24 girls came to Bogota from different places around Colombia’s capital.

AP PHOTOS: Colombia quinceañeras see dreams come true with the support of many, including the police | iNFOnews.ca — Quinceañeras wait outside a beauty salon where they will have their hair styled and makeup done for free, in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, May 2, 2025. The Sueños Hechos Foundation, led by a former police officer, is hosting a quinceañera celebration on Friday for 24 disadvantaged teen girls. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

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.

The foundation opened a call for applications, and about 100 people registered, and after a review they picked up 24.