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Street Kids United: Film screenings

Focusing on the Umthombo Young Stars, a team of South African street children representing their country at the SCWC, the documentary was made by award-winning filmmaker Tim Pritchard, and explores “how a simple sporting event can change lives”.

Catch the new feature length documentary at venues across South Africa this July!

The film will be shown at the following times and venues:

23 July 6:00pm Bay (Bay of Plenty Lawns, North Beach, DBN)
24 July 3:00pm Ekhaya (Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre, Kwa-Mashu)
27 July 10:00am Luthuli (Luthuli Museum, Groutville, KwaDukuza)
28 July 7:00pm Nelson (Nelson Mandela Youth Centre, RK Khan Circle, Chatsworth)
29 July 5:00pm Royal (Royal Hotel, Smith Street, DBN)

Published on: 19. 07. 2011 | Read more »

Princess Anne visits Umthombo Street Children in Durban South Africa and presents its founder Tom Hewitt with an MBE

Princess Anne took time out from the International Olympic Committee meeting in Durban to visit Umthombo Street Children and to present its founder Tom Hewitt with an MBE.

Tom was awarded an MBE by the Queen in the New Year’s Honours List. His award is for services to child welfare in South Africa.  The Princess Royal presented this to Tom at a ceremony at Durban City Hall.

Umthombo was the host of the first ever Street Child World Cup in 2010 and its policies of cooperating with street children have been adopted by the local municipality and picked up at a national level.  Amos Trust has supported Umthombo Street Children since it was set up by Tom and his wife Bulelwa “Mandi” Ngantweni-Hewitt.  Umthombo is a pioneering project, staffed by social work professionals and former street children who have a unique understanding of the realities of the street child experience and are able to build relationships of trust and respect with the children.

Princess Anne, who is known for her commitment to charities and children’s work, visited Umthombo’s Safe Space and saw where the children undertake a variety of activities and skills training. She spoke with children and volunteers, giving knuckle to knuckle high fives and African handshakes where required!  Clearly enjoying herself and very interested she finished by visiting Umthombo’s vegetable garden, set up in cooperation with Ethekwini (Durban) Municipality. Here she chatted with ex street child Boy Boy – now the gardener. He told her “I used to live in the streets but now I work at Umthombo and this is my garden”.

Tom said “This award and the Princess Royal’s visit is a real privilege. Umthombo was founded on the principle of recognising every child has worth and I hope that this honour will enable more people to hear the voices of street children and to campaign for the change the children themselves want to see.”

Princess Royal talks with Umthombo Founders Tom Hewitt and Bulelwa (Mandi) Ngantweni - Hewitt

Princess Royal, with Umthombo Director Tom Hewitt, watches a yoyo demonstration by Mthobisi

Princess Anne and Umthombo Director Tom Hewitt talk with ex street child Boy Boy who is now the gardener for Umthombo's vegetable garden (a project in cooperation with Ethekwini (Durban) Municipality)

Published on: 8. 07. 2011 | Read more »

Declaration by Rio de Janeiro street children and adolescents against forced removal operations

(Translated from the Portuguese)

The following statement was made by a group of 50 street children, brought together by a forum of Brasilian NGOs, in response to a special resolution passed by the Rio de Janeiro city authorities at the end of May this year which made provision for the compulsory removal of children and young people from the streets of the city. A resolution which in fact violates the Federal Constitution and the Statute of the Child and Adolescent.

The passing of this resolution and the subsequent use of force and violence by police enacting the resolution caused an uproar not only amongst NGOs working with street children but also amongst some senior judges who spoke out in support of these NGOs and called for the city authorities to account for their actions.

Forum on Street Children and Adolescents, held on 15 June 2011 by 16 NGOs that are part of the Rio Children Network , denounce and claim:

We, street children and adolescents denounce the forced removal operations, made in the city of Rio de Janeiro by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, all done violently by the police who come beating, assaulting, and lead us to the police station as if we were criminals, and to shelters that do not help with anything. What difference will it make to take people off the streets and offer nothing better? Before removing them, there must be a plan to offer better living conditions for these people.

- We denounce the police who take our money, take everything we have.

- We denounce the way the police enter the communities, shooting, treating everyone as a criminal. They do not respect people.

- We denounce the way they treat people who use drugs, because instead of treating us, they suppress and dope us. They are just after the “crackers” (cracudos) while there are a lot of people dying from overdose of other drugs.

- We denounce the clinic of Barra Mansa, Casa Reviva, which sedates us all day and even ties us to the bed.

- We denounce the type of treatment of the clinics that treat drug addiction, which use medicines but do not offer other activities. Treatment is important, but it’s momentary, it’s all because of the World Cup, they are just cleaning up the city.

- We denounce DEGASE (Instituto Padre Severino), because inside they hit, humiliate the adolescents, oppress the minors. And also take money from families when they come to visit. People come out worse than when they entered.

- We claim that the Crackland (Cracolândia) has to end, but people should receive dignified treatment. People should be taken where there will be something better, schools, training, professionalization.

- People who are in the streets must be respected, must receive a different alternative, not jail.

- They should be heard, and not have someone acting on their behalf; know what they want, what they need.

- There has to be listening, affection, care, and not repression.

- The police and the City Hall should select more carefully the people to work with us; they cannot employ untrained people.

- Finally, we want to be treated as people that we are, and have our rights respected.

* Organisations that are part of the network: Associação Beneficente Amar, Associação Beneficente São Martinho, Associação Brasileira Terra dos Homens – ABTH, Associação Childholpe Brasil , Associação Excola, Banco da Providência, Casa do Menor São Miguel Arcanjo, CEDECA RJ, Centro de Teatro do Oprimido – CTO, Centro Internacional de Estudos e Pesquisas sobre a Infância (CIESPI), Criança Rio, Fundação Bento Rubião, Movimento Nacional de Meninos e Meninas de Rua, Organização de Direitos Humanos Projeto Legal, REMER and Se Essa Rua Fosse Minha

Published on: 8. 07. 2011 | Read more »

Street children heard at the UN

We’re delighted that, for the first time in over two decades, street children have been heard at the United Nations.

On 9 March 2011, the UN Human Rights Council spent a day looking at the issues that face children living and/or working on the streets.  As a result, a resolution has been tabled, calling for key changes, including inviting the Human Rights Council to prepare a report for this time next year – a vital follow-up mechanism.

You can find a full report from the day here.

All of the states represented at the Human Rights Council received a copy of the Durban Declaration, which was brought together by the street child participants at the first Street Child World Cup. 

Much of what the street children called for in this document was reflected in the discussions on 9 March, and in the resolution:

- a call for street children to be listened to;

- a recognition of the vital role of listening, support and understanding in enabling street children to reintegrate into homes;

- an emphasis on the universal experience of violence for street children, and a renewed urgent call for their right to protection to be fulfilled by states;

- the right to access proper and equal healthcare.

We look forward to a continued emphasis on street children as states absorb the implications of the street children’s resolution.

Published on: 25. 03. 2011 | Read more »

More than a Game: Street Child World Cup book released

More than a Game tells the story of the first Street Child World Cup through hundreds of fantastic photographs, capturing the life-changing encounters created.

Buy yours here today.

This book tells the compelling stories of the preparation and the event, drawing in the words and perspectives of the children who took part as well as volunteers, celebrities and policy makers who helped make the event possible. It conveys the excitement and atmosphere of the event. The book places the experiences of street children at the centre and celebrates all that they achieved during these remarkable ten days in Durban.

We, the children, promise to be the voice for children who still suffer on the streets, representing their rights and fighting for their recognition. Nicaragua Team, Street Child World Cup

This beautifully produced, engaging and moving book makes a great gift, for only £10, and all proceeds will go towards the ongoing work of the Street Child World Cup.

Published on: 22. 03. 2011 | Read more »

Street children heard at the UN

On Wednesday 9 March, the United Nations Human Rights Council is holding a day focussing on the rights of street children.

We are delighted that the voices of the street children who participated in the Street Child World Cup are being represented at this historic day. The Durban Declaration is being distributed to all 47 member states of the Human Rights Council.

The Street Child World Cup continues to make an impact all over the world, working to ensure that the voices of street children are heard, and their rights are recognised.

Published on: 8. 03. 2011 | Read more »

One thousand cinema-goers see Street Kids United premiere

A sell-out crowd at the Berlin Film Festival gave a warm welcome to the premiere of Street Kids United on Thursday 17 February.

This new documentary feature follows the South African team at the first Street Child World Cup. Vuyani “Biza” Madolo, of Umthombo Street Children, coached the team and was in Berlin to present the film, along with its director, Tim Pritchard. Surrounded by autograph hunters afterwards, Biza said “It’s great to see the team on screen – this is a brilliant film. I never thought I’d be signing autographs. I’ve gone from nothing to something.”

John Wroe, of Momentum Arts, was also at the premiere. He spoke to a director of Herman Berlin FC who was in the audience: “I came along with my sons, not knowing anything about the Street Child World Cup or Umthombo. We loved it. I am amazed. Bravo. Great movie, great idea.”

John sent us this brief report: “Wow, what a premiere in front of 1000 cinema-goers. So many films are about celebrities, this was about people without power. There is no Hollywood twist in Street Kids United. All the kids at Umthombo are full of life. They have stories which should be heard. We stuck with the team; they were all all such great characters. I was crying all the way through – and so was everyone around me.”

Watch this space, join our facebook group, or follow us on twitter for the latest news about UK screenings of the film.

Director Tim Pritchard with Ad Ahmed, Biza Madolo and Bulelwa Ngantweni-Hewitt

Published on: 18. 02. 2011 | Read more »

Street Child World Cup film at Berlin Film Festival

Street Kids United, a documentary film following the South African team at the first Street Child World Cup, will premier at the Berlin Film Festival .

Watch the trailer here

The showing will be on Thursday 17 February, 3pm, at Haus der Kulturen Der Welt, Kino 1. Following the film, there will be a Q&A with the director, Tim Pritchard, as well as Biza Madolo, coach of the team, and star of the film, from Umthombo Street Children.

We are delighted that the film will continue to amplify the voices of street children, and will celebrate the talent and potential of the South African players at the first Street Child World Cup.

Published on: 21. 01. 2011 | Read more »

Online resource for schools

The British Council Connecting Classrooms team, inspired by the Street Child World Cup, have put together an online resource on children’s rights based around the project.  Teachers – click here for ideas and resources!

There are a range of activities, appropriate for years 7-9 – but adaptable for many other age groups.

Published on: 7. 01. 2011 | Read more »

Tom Hewitt MBE – Founder of Umthombo Street Children

We are pleased to announce that Tom Hewitt, co-founder of Umthombo Street Children in Durban, South Africa has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Tom’s award is for services to child welfare in South Africa.

Tom and his wife Bulelwa “Mandi” Ngantweni-Hewitt co-founded Umthombo Street Children in 2004. Umthombo is a pioneering project, staffed by both social work professionals and trained former street children who have a unique understanding of the realities of the street child experience and are able to build incredible relationships of trust and respect with the children.

2010 was a tremendous year for Umthombo Street Children – they were the hosts of the first ever Street Child World Cup in March, and in June for the very first time they were able to open their drop-in centre Safe Space for 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.   Most significant of all, Umthombo were pleased to report that following their campaign calling for an end to the brutal practice of rounding up street children, during the FIFA World Cup there were no reported instances of the ’round ups’ by the police in Durban.

Speaking from Durban, Tom said “This award is a real privilege. Umthombo was founded on the principle of recognising every child has worth and I hope that this honour will enable more people to hear the voices of street children and to campaign for the change the children themselves want to see.” 

To find out more about the work of Umthombo Street Children, visit the Amos Trust website.

Published on: 4. 01. 2011 | Read more »