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Voices of street children – in the UK election

Last week, we wrote to Douglas Alexander, Andrew Mitchell and Michael Moore - respectively the Secretary of State for International Development, and the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretaries of State.  We wanted to ask them to commit to specialised funding for street child organisations.  Street children are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised children in the world, and we want to ensure they get the targeted help they need to leave the streets.  Each main party has issued lengthy statements about their commitment to international development (see http://www.voteglobal.org.uk/ to compare them), but none have committed to support street children in particular.  We don’t believe it’s possible to achieve their commitments without a specialised focus on street children’s complex needs.

Here’s what we wrote to each – watch this space for their replies: 

We are pleased that each of the main parties has reiterated a commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.  However, we are concerned that as International Development policy stands, one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in the world, specifically street children, will miss out.

 We contest that without the inclusion of street children as a distinct group of children in urgent need of specialist interventions and funding, then the commitment to the achievement of MDG’s are unrealistic.

 Under the current situation, street children are intended to receive ‘trickle down’ aid under the broad headings of Orphans and Vulnerable Children or HIV-affected children. As acknowledged by the International Development Select Committee Report, published October 2009, more generalised indicators “may not ensure that street children receive the discrete and targeted assistance they require”.

 We would be delighted if you would take this opportunity to outline a commitment to street children as a specific group in line with your specific funding pledges.

 Last month, the first ever Street Child World Cup, sponsored by Deloitte, was held in Durban, South Africa.  Eight teams of street children from around the world came together and, as well as playing football for their country, drew together manifestos identifying changes they would wish to see for street children, and changes they themselves committed to make.  We will separately send this manifesto in full to you.

 Many of the children affirmed their own commitment to education.  However, barriers to education for street children range from the cost of uniforms and fees, to social stigma, to dealing with addictions, to competing demands for time (including the need to work or beg on the streets in order to be able to eat).

 The conference underlined the potential of street children to contribute positively to their countries, given effective opportunities. The children’s stories also reflected the complexities of their situations – confirming the need for specialist interventions to enable children to leave the streets.

 We look forward to hearing from you – we have also asked your counterparts to respond with their policy outlines specifically with regard to street children. We will be publishing the responses on our website and through the Consortium for Street Children.

Published on: 5. 05. 2010 | Read more »

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 Deloitte 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. 

From India we have news (and pictures !) of a proud crowd welcoming the 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 »

Sir Alex’s letter to Deloitte Street Child World Champions

Football is a sport like no other. Throw down a football on a dusty roadside in Brazil or a parched pitch in Africa and see what happens. At once, players are united in the magic of the game no matter what their colour, creed or class.

Of course at the top level of the game, there are great rewards and great trophies to be won. But we should never ever forget the grassroots of the game, nor overlook the ability of football to help deliver social change and progress. It is not just about the superstars and the teams and players known the world over. It is about what sport can do to raise people’s hopes and expectations.

All eyes will be on the World Cup in South Africa. But I am delighted the country has already staged another World Cup – the inaugural Street Child World Cup. I was pleased to be able to support the project when it was first launched, and I am thrilled that it has gone so well. My heartfelt congratulations to India for winning.

But I believe everyone who has been in Durban will have learned something about themselves, about the world, and about the role of football as a force for good.

Best wishes,

Alex Ferguson

Published on: 31. 03. 2010 | Read more »

Going home

A strange peace has descended on the Star Seaside Home (where the teams have been staying), the Happy Hippo (where most volunteers have been) and Umthombo (our host organisation).

Teams and volunteers have been waved off to their home countries. The welcome awaiting them will – we hope and pray – be part of the incredible journey they have been on in the last few weeks.

Volunteers will be – no doubt – greeted with lots of “how was it?” questions. Difficult to sum up in a sentence -but I hope a chance for them to talk about the dignity, humanity, and hope of the young people they’ve been with, and to raise more widely a justifiable outrage that children like these could be so mistreated that they end up on the streets.

Teams can expect warm welcomes. In the Philippines, VIP receptions are being prepared. India are returning with a trophy, sent off by a reception at the Indian Consulate here in Durban. Ukraine are returning with the Fair Play award, and are accompanied by the governor of the province from which they’ve come – a great sign of commitment to listening to the voices of street children. My prayer for these amazing young people who have entered this event so completely is that after the dust and excitement has settled, they keep walking tall, in the way they have done here. I pray too that the changes in perception in each country will be lasting, and will contribute to real and lasting change in the ways that street children are treated. That’s what I’ll be going home to work towards.

The South African team are making different journeys home. As busses took the visiting teams away, some of the South African players chose to walk away, carrying with them the kit they had worn to represent their country. They walked back to Umthombo’s Safe Space – a place that feels like home to them. From there, the majority of the team have already been reintegrated back into homes. One child told me that their family was ready to welcome them because of all the radio, newspaper and TV coverage around this project. When I asked another how they were feeling about their next step (into a children’s home), they said they were feeling “strong – I feel healthy because I have been sleeping and eating and playing football every day. So I am going to stay strong when I am there”.

I’m at Umthombo now. Umthombo work to reintegrate children into homes every day – not just after events like these. These journeys aren’t always easy and children sometimes come on and off the streets several times. It’s work which requires persistence, commitment and creativity, to deal with the differing challenges for each child. I’ve been privileged to see this work close up – and to catch a glimpse of other organisations around the world working in similar ways. Ultimately, these are the journeys home we all want to see. Children coming off the streets and finding a welcome. Now that the event is over, this is the work of the Deloitte Street Child World Championship.

jenny