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Archive for April, 2010

Supporting street children – leaping out of a plane

Huge thanks to Sam Whitehead who is taking the perhaps rather rash step of leaping out of an aeroplane to raise money for the Street Child World Cup.

As Sam recognises, while the event is over, the work of the Street Child World Cup goes on, as we work through the issues that the children have raised, and ensure that they are heard in the right places.  Our partners are supporting the children as they absorb and process all they have experienced – and it’s heartening to hear how well they’re doing.

One child, boarding the plane home, said “I feel as though I can do anything now.”  That’s the gift that generous donors gave to him through the Street Child World Cup.  If you want to help the work continue, do contribute to Sam.

Jenny

Published on: 28. 04. 2010 | Read more »

News from home

This time a month ago, we were in DUT’s sports hall, watching India vs Tanzania – the finals of the first ever Street Child World Cup.  It feels a world away to me – and no doubt to the players too.  But thankfully technology allows us to keep in touch.

A virtual network of volunteers, teams, staff and organisations has been enjoying tidbits of news from around the world.  Here goes:

In Ukraine, the returning team (winners of the Fair Play award) were welcomed with a reception from the mayor.  It’s fantastic to know that these children have earned such respect from officials.  This strengthens Depaul‘s work in the region and allows them to do even more to support vulnerable young people in the city of Kharkiv.  We were delighted that the Deputy Regional Governor of Kharkiv region joined us in Durban, and her experience, hearing from the children, has influenced her profoundly. 

india welcome home pic1From India we have news (and pictures !) of a proud crowd welcoming thindia welcome home pic4e victorious team!  Indian media have loved the story – and so, a new story about street children – one in which the street children are the heroes – has been allowed to be told. 

In the Philippines, the welcome for our shield winners was similarly rapturous, and the media have supported the team with front page stories.  One of the foundations from which the team was drawn (the Tuloy sa Don Bosco School for Streetchildren) has recently held a graduation ceremony for over 200 of the children they have supported through a basic education programme.  Extra congratulations to two of the DSCWC team who received special awards.  Erica, captain, was the Valedictorian, and Gerry Boy received the Bronze Medal for Academic Excellence. 

The Nicaraguan team stopped off in the UK on their way home, winning the hearts of Scottish and English supporters of  Casa Alianza. 

In the UK, the M13 team are looking forward to their final starring roles on Blue Peter, 27 April, 4.35pm.  Tune in!

In South Africa, Umthombo are continuing to work with the City authorities in order to make sure their published policy of NOT rounding up street children is upheld.  The majority of the team have been reintegrated back into homes, with the rest being supported by Umthombo to find other long-term solutions, including ways into employment. 

Sadder news from Tanzania.  On 3 April, the Kuleana Children’s Centre, from which the team came, suffered a fire.  Thankfully, all the children and staff are safe – but Caretakers of the Environment Tanzania, who run the centre, and who brought the team to Durban, have been seriously affected.  Their computer and office equipment have all been destroyed.  Mutani, their tireless founder and CEO, will update us as soon as he is able to establish how friends of the SCWC can help.

If you’re linked with a team, please do let us know about any other updates.

Back here at SCWC HQ, we have received the notes from the conference (thank you, Cambridge Humanitarian Centre, for typing these up and putting them in order – a huge job!).  They include moving and powerful testimonies from the children.  We are now working on the best ways of publishing and distributing these in order that the changes that the children call for can be acted on.  Watch this space, too, for fresh photos and new campaigning initiatives. 

We’re in a different phase, but still so encouraged by the fantastic relationships that were formed in Durban, the support in South Africa and around the world – and by the great welcome that returning SCWC-ers have received. Thank you for your ongoing support.

jenny

Published on: 21. 04. 2010 | Read more »

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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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