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Archive for June, 2010

The Other Final

Supporters in Scotland have the opportunity to enjoy a bit of alternative footballing entertainment, AND to hear from DSCWC hosts Umthombo in a unique couple of film evenings next week.

On 7 July, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Take One Action, a cinema and global action collective, are showing The Other Final, a “delightful, funny and uplifting film telling the story of one of the most memorable games never played in the World Cup. On June 20th 2002, while Germany faced down Brazil, another final took place between the two lowest ranking national teams on earth: the little known Kingdom of Bhutan in South Asia and Montserrat in the Caribbean. Scoring happiness, cultural sympathy and a faulty loudspeaker ahead of glory and product placement, the match caught the imaginations of millions of people around the world and offers an unforgettable reminder of what the beautiful game is really all about.”

The film will be followed by a live link-up to Umthombo in South Africa, to hear the latest about how the FIFA World Cup is affecting street children there.

Published on: 29. 06. 2010 | Read more »

Good news from Tanzania

Mutani, of Caretakers of the Environment Tanzania, who brought the team from Mwanza, writes:

Three weeks after its arrival home in Mwanza from Durban, the Tanzanian team led a discussion at our Kuleana Street Children Centre with about 50 Police Commander Officers from Mwanza City and the Lake Victoria. The Police officers who visited our street children’s centre discussed with children the problems that brought them onto the streets, and the ways they get treated by police while they are on the streets.

This was a unique chance to discuss the issues raised by children in Durban, and particularly to speak with police offers about street child issues. It was a crucial moment for us starting our campaign: “No child should have to sleep on the streets”. The police promised us that they would commit to more discussions, and would give us the opportunity to address police officers.

The Street Child World Cup impact continues!

Published on: 16. 06. 2010 | Read more »

Because I am a Girl

We’ve always been hyper-keen that the voices of girls who have to live on the streets are heard through the DSCWC.

There are fewer girls than boys living on the streets, and some of the issues girls face are distinctive. So we’re proud of our joint work with Plan International, who facilitated sessions at the DSCWC conference especially for girls. They particularly looked at girls’ experience of violence. The work will feed into their influential annual “Because I am a Girl” report.

Watch this to meet some of the inspiring and articulate girls who joined us in Durban.

http://plan-international.org/about-plan/resources/videos/girls-soccer-success

Published on: 15. 06. 2010 | Read more »

Miracle team continues to inspire

The DSCWC Philippines team – known as the Miracle Team because of the incredible way in which they gained identity documents and permission to travel – are continuing to demonstrate their talents, showing that street children have a great deal to give to their communities.

 

Marivi San Juan, one of the staff who brought the team to Durban, told us that “the Philippine Miracle Team will play a big role in the World Day Against Child Labor Celebration in the Philippines on June 10. The whole day event will include a free football clinic for rescued child laborers to be conducted by the DSCWC Miracle Team players. Through this interaction, we envision the Miracle Team players sharing their personal stories and experiences in South Africa, how the South Africa experience has helped them, what they are doing to achieve their dreams… Erica, the team captain, will be taking a key role in the opening ceremony and will be speaking of her experience in South Africa to the crowd, including distinguished guests.  Participants, assisted by the players, will identify how they can contribute to the fight against child labour.  In the process the Miracle Team will inspire the participants that there is hope.”

 

We’re so heartened to hear about how the team are continuing to use their experiences in South Africa in order to inspire others and spread the message further.  Congratulations, all, and have a great day tomorrow!

Published on: 9. 06. 2010 | Read more »

Jatinder selected for national (under 16s) squad

We’re thrilled to hear that one of the victorious Indian DSCWC team has been selected to represent his country (again!) as part of the Indian under-16s squad.

Huge congratulations to Jatinder.  It’s more proof, if proof were needed, that street children can achieve fantastic things and contribute really positively to their communities, if they’re given opportunities. 

India winning small

We wish him very well in representing India at this level - and can’t help a sneaky feeling of pride that his first international games were played at the Durban University of Technology, as part of the first ever Street Child World Cup.

Published on: 1. 06. 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