They work with over 12,000 street children a year - most of whom have been orphaned, abused or abandoned and are further traumatised by the indifference of the societies in which they live.
Founded in 1981 in an uncompromising environment of violent conflict and intolerable human rights abuses rampant in Latin America in the early 1980s, Casa Alianza has grown from a refuge for displaced Guatemalan children into an international organisation working on behalf of street children.
They offer street children shelter, food, medical care, protection, guidance, respect and love. Casa Alianza began as a place where forgotten children could escape from loneliness, hunger, drugs, poverty, prostitution, emotional starvation and physical danger. Twenty five years later, the work continues but they have grown to become a lot more. Casa Alianza now also actively defends children's rights and their staff regularly risk their own personal safety to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
As well as four programme offices in Latin America, there are also three offices in Europe (Germany, Switzerland and the UK) that support their programmes and campaigns.
Casa Alianza is a charity she discovered many years ago and which, this year, celebrates the tenth anniversary of the foundation of its UK branch. When Casa Alianza asked her to headline the concert she was more than happy to do so..
"I have known of the charity for many years and when they came up with the idea of a benefit concert I thought it was a great idea," she says.
"Every time I come to the UK I try to do something to raise money or awareness of Casa Alianza and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I am really glad we are doing this. I like the English audiences and I hope they come along and support us. Casa Alianza really gets involved. They pay for things like legal representation for children who live on the streets and they are reaching children who other organisations can't."
"As a public figure I feel I have to prioritise the organisations I get involved with so I tend to work with organisations which really work for human rights and children's rights."
Eddy Morton is a Stourbridge based singer songwriter. Former frontman with The Bushburys he now runs Katie Fitzgerald's and New Mountain Music.
Inspired to write by his interest in the early 20th century poetry of Spender, Auden, Macneice and Larkin it was only later that he was drawn towards music by the likes of Donovan, Led Zeppelin and in particular Roy Harper. Eddy Morton's passion is words and the images they create. Like Suzanne, Eddy Morton is a long-standing supporter of Casa Alianza. The event is being presented by Katie Fitzgerald's (www.katiefitzgeralds.co.uk) and Eddy Morton (www.myspace.com/eddymorton) will be the support artist.
Birmingham Town Hall - 7.30 pm - July 12th
Tickets cost £27.50 - you can book direct online at www.thsh.co.uk or call 0121 780 3333
