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Archive for September, 2009

The Team Assembles

On Saturday the team of volunteers who will be heading from England to Durban in March met for the first time. For many it was a day where the project became much more real. The morning was spent listening to Tom Hewitt speak about the situation for street kids in Durban. He was incredibly hopeful, more so than he had ever been, about the prospects of these kids. 2010 is apparently already proving to be a Kairos moment for the work of Umthombo. With the British High Commision backing the organisation’s work and statements in both the BBC News and from FIFA expressing concern for the welfare of the street children, the Durban authorities are promising to partner with Umthombo in the short term for the Street Child World Cup and longer term to prevent the children being rounded up by the local police.

Hearing the story of Andile brought a personal aspect to the potential of this competition. He is the captain of South Africa’s representatives in the Street Child World Cup, and also a child who has experienced all the violence and despair of street life, proving that one’s identity is often found in the opinions of others: a kid who is often seen as a nuisance has an opportunity to be a hero and role model, it’s a beautiful role reversal.

In the afternoon we gathered together to get to know one another and to discover more of what will happen in the lead up to Durban in March 2010. The team is a varied one, bringing vastly different experiences and passions to the event. Amongst the group are gap year students, people who are retired, a surgeon and a minister; people who have visited less than 10 countries (and that is including the likes of Wales and Scotland!) and one who is well on his way to visiting all of them.

It feels like the ball is really rolling now as the volunteers already begin to form a community committed to the cause and to supporting one another in fundraising and preparing. Bring on the next meeting in January!

Tom

Published on: 28. 09. 2009 | Read more »

Masala mix

Yesterday, Umthombo hosted Durban’s Street Child World Cup launch.  There was dancing, kwaito music, flags, glitter, and newly decorated tshirts.  There were police superintendents, teachers, street children,artists, local government officials and dumbfounded NGO workers (me).  There was representation from the British High Commission, the Ethekwini municipality, KwaZulu Natal provincial government, Coaching for Hope, and Dewey and LeBouef – lawyers doing probono work for us (they’ve also just taken on the Caster Semanya case, news fans). Reporters came to report, sponsors (thank you, Durban University of Technology!) came to give food, footballers came to coach, and supporters came to cheer.

Mandi, co-founder and Operations Direction of Umthombo put it best with a classic South African phrase – a Masala mix. 

I don’t know how anyone else felt, but for me, there was something godly about it.  Joyful.  Eclectic.  Potential-filled. Celebratory.  Unifying.  Each person contributing what they could.

It was March 2010, 6 months in advance, in one room. 

jenny

Published on: 22. 09. 2009 | Read more »

A huge, eight-part, interactive, human rights-related, sculpture…

That transforms from a football into a tunnel and is pushed along traffic-free streets, taking up two lanes of traffic, changes size to fit into an art gallery and travels magically across the world for different countries to see. And allows time travel.

We’re here in Durban and Hilary, one of the artists who’s working on the project, is finding her sculpture idea taken up, shaped, and growing by the minute. There’s an air of slightly hysterical hilarity as we envisage how these ideas will be transformed into reality. All we know is that we’re going to need plenty of goodwill, a network of can-do individuals, and a vision that makes people excited. I think we’ve got them.

This artwork conundrum – dreams into reality – sums up our whole task. We’ve got visionaries. We’ve got people who are getting excited. Making it real is certainly challenging – but today, it feels do-able (and fun).

In today’s workshop, with Umthombo staff, we focussed in on the ways in which street children participate in the whole process – from planning and shaping the event, to acting as buddies, hosts, and tour guides when the guests arrive, to ensuring visitors to the art gallery are welcomed and shown around the exhibition for the months following the SCWC.

This is what Umthombo are experts in. Ensuring the voices of street children are heard and that their agenda is primary. I found it a privilege today to work with Umthombo staff and see them bring their experience so richly to bear.

There’s so much more to do. There’s so much that we still need help with. But today, the vision moved a step forward. It found a root in a few more people. And, today, at least for today, I think we just might do it.

Published on: 19. 09. 2009 | Read more »

Nicaragua* beat Brazil** to win the World*** Cup****

* strictly speaking, a team of British young people waving blue and white flags

** err, a team of British young people….

*** 8 teams represented

**** the Greenbelt pre-Street Child World Cup Street Child World Cup

So, at Greenbelt the other weekend, eight teams of young people found themselves cheering riotously for Ukraine, the Philippines, India – and the other five teams involved in the Street Child World Cup.  I have a feeling none of them had really expected to leave a Christian arts festival with a hoarse voice from cheering “Come on Vietnam!”

I came back smiling.  It’s that strange football magic again. These teams – however momentarily and fleetingly – were playing with and for the street children who will be representing their countries in Durban come March 2010. Scratch teams on a field in Cheltenham sharing something with the street children of Rio, Managua, Hanoi.

I also came back a tad worried.  An air of chaos - admittedly joyous – reigned over our Greenbelt games.  Big thank yous to the brilliant bunch of people who pitched in to make that joy happen – you know who you are.  You are great.

Here’s my worry:  I can’t help anticipating that that chaos is going to be multiplied many times over in Durban in March.  I’m off to Durban for another planning visit on Monday with the aim of trying to minimise the chaos.  (Ever tried to pin down a tent in a gale?)

I guess what I’m really hoping is that that football magic – or the team spirit of fantastic volunteers pitching in – or whatever else it was – that brought joy out of the chaos will also be present in Durban.

jenny

Published on: 9. 09. 2009 | Read more »

Photos

scwc-ww-2931 img_4187 scwc-ww-1313

Please support us

Endorsements

  • "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."
    David Beckham, AC Milan and England Midfielder
  • "No child should have to live on the streets. I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard."
    Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister
  • "The Deloitte Street Child World Cup demonstrates the tremendous potential of every single child, and especially street children, who are so often treated as less than human. I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa – and I urge all governments to guarantee the rights of this most marginalised group of their citizens to lives in which their promise is fulfilled.Quot;
    Archbishop Desmond Tutu
  • "When ever people come across me they laugh. It seems like my mouth is zipped because they talk for us. I wish they could give us a chance to talk for ourselves."
    Mbali, 15, Durban
  • "When people see us by the streets, they say that we are the street boys. But when they see us playing soccer, they say that we are not the street boys. They say that we are people like them. They are people like us."
    Andile, 15, Durban
  • "I experienced hardcore street life in my youth. I know what it’s like. I congratulate the Deloitte Street Child World Cup project in it’s commitment to bring attention to the plight of Street Children through the power of football."
    Manny Pacquiao, Filipino professional boxer, current WBO World welterweight champion
  • "The Street Child World Cup hosted by Umthombo is a wonderful opportunity to hear the forgotten voices of Street Children – often marginalised, this is their time to be heard and to shine on the world stage. From the football field to governments across the world, this is a chance to celebrate the talent that every child has."
    Thandie Newton, star of Crash and 2012
  • "The Deloitte Street Child World Cup will use this game, which is loved all over the world, to help give kids a fairer deal. No child should have to be on the street."
    Gary Lineker OBE, former Tottenham, Barcelona, and England Forward and BBC’s Match of the Day presenter
  • "I am delighted that the first Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa where I know there is a huge passion for football. No child should have to live on the streets and and I fully endorse this campaign giving street children a voice to claim their rights."
    Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager
  • "Football and footballers aren’t always in the headlines for the right reasons but the Deloitte Street Child World Cup harnesses the power of grassroots football to change vulnerable young peoples’ lives for the better across the world through the talent that they have. Good luck to all those taking part."
    David Seaman, Former Arsenal and England Goalkeeper
  • "I’m delighted to endorse the Deloitte Street Child World Cup. This is a fantastic ground-breaking event, aiming to win rights for street children, not only in Durban but across South Africa – and even the world! I’m sure that every team will be a winner!"
    Sir Cliff Richard
  • "I’ve played football as a teenager with the world watching me. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a brilliant project which will help hundreds of thousands of teenagers who have been forced to live on the streets by getting the world to listen to them and give them a fair chance."
    Theo Walcott, Arsenal and England Forward
  • "No child should have to be on the streets. I am proud to support the Ukrainian team at the Street Child World Cup. Street children need the chance to show the world their potential."
    Andriy Shevchenko, Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine Captain
  • "It was a privilege to be invited to the launch of the Street Child World Cup at Downing Street. It gives children a voice through football, a platform to express their rights and celebrate their abilities – I’m proud to add my support."
    Wilson Palacios, Tottenham and Honduras Midfielder
  • "Seeing young people enjoying the magic of football is what the game is all about and I feel honoured to be supporting the event for street children taking place in South Africa. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a fantastic grassroots initiative giving a voice to street children through the positive power of football. It’s an example of football making headlines for the right reasons. Good luck to all those taking part!"
    Eduardo, Arsenal and Croatia Forward
  • "I am proud that the first ever Deloitte Street Child World Cup will be held in my country in 2010. Football has the power to unite people from all over the world and gives young people the discipline and focus to let their true talent shine. No child should have to sleep on the street. I am delighted that the Deloitte Street Child World Cup will celebrate these children’s potential and call for their rights to be realised.Good luck to all the teams but especially the South African team Umthombo from Durban!"
    Aaron Mokoena, Portsmouth Midfielder and South Africa’s Captain and most capped player
  • "The Football Association commends initiatives such as the Deloitte Street Child World Championships which use the power of football to make a difference to people’s lives"
    Lord David Triesman, F.A. Chairman
  • "The Street Child World Cup is a superb campaign, bringing to attention the issues faced by some of the most vulnerable children in the world"
    Edith Bowman, BBC Radio 1
  • "My career is testament to the global village that football has become. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a groundbreaking campaign highlighting the essential rights that all children must be given. From Montevideo via Brighton and down to Durban – let’s spread the word!"
    Gus Poyet, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Brighton and Hove Albion Manager
  • "South Africa 2012 will be watched by most of the World. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is the ultimate opportunity for us all to invest in the grassroots of football. Great campaign."
    Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers Manager
  • "The power of football in the community is undeniable and football is now a global community. I support the Deloitte Street Child World Cup in raising awareness and support through football for the most vulnerable in our community: street children"
    Owen Coyle, Bolton Wanderers Manager
  • "Throughout my career I have been an advocate of community development through football and the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is an excellent example of uniting through football in support of young people across the World."
    Alan Curbishley, Former Charlton and West Ham Manager

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