In April of last year Bishop Richard hosted members of the 2010 Brazilian Street Child World Cup team when they came to London to promote the Street Child World Cup in Rio 2014.
On meeting the team he said:
“Football can bring the world together and transform lives. It was thrilling to meet members of the Brazilian team from the 2010 Street Child World Cup. I heard about grim experiences in early life and the power of support and friendship to open up new hope and aspirations.”
Founded in the belief that street children are made in God’s own image and that all children should have a future free from fear, neglect and abuse, the Street Child World Cup was set up by Amos Trust, a Christian charity based in one of the churches in the Diocese. Through football, art and campaigning the Street Child World Cup aims to challenge the negative perceptions and treatment of street children around the world.
More than a Game is a two minute promotional video about the Street Child World Cup.
In 2014 sixteen teams of street children from countries as varied as Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Philippines, Ukraine, India and Mozambique, will come together in Rio to compete in a football tournament and take part in a unique street child conference.
Lorelyn, from the Phillippines team, said:
“This tournament has helped me to believe in the world again and to know that I am somebody.”
Lent appeal leaflets, posters and gift aid envelopes are available to order here. Every parish should have received publicity samples and instructions for treasurers by post.
Download the special Churches Fundraising Pack, which is full of ideas and resources to help everyone in the Diocese get involved, whether it is by hosting a church football tournament, putting on a Brazil themed coffee morning, or by giving something up for Lent for street children.
Whilst the Worship Resource Pack contains a range of readings, prayers, all age and sermon ideas to help churches talk about street children and the Street Child World Cup during Lent.
This Lent let’s make a difference for Street Children all around the world.
The Brazilian Street Child Soccer team were welcomed to the capital at a special reception by the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres on Wednesday 18 April. The team were in London to raise awareness of the second Street Child World Cup, which will be held alongside the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
The team of former street children (aged 15 – 18) are from the Quixote project in Sao Paulo and took part in the first Street Child World Cup in Durban, South Africa in 2010.
When Bishop Richard met the team, he said:
“Football can bring the world together and transform lives. It was thrilling to meet members of the Brazilian team from the 2010 Street Child World Cup. I heard about grim experiences in early life and the power of support and friendship to open up new hope and aspirations.”
In April of last year I had the great pleasure of hosting members of the 2010 Brazilian street child team as they came to London to kick us off on the road to the 2014 Rio de Janeiro Street Child World Cup.
Sixteen teams of street children from five continents will come together in Rio. They will not only represent their countries (such as Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Philippines, Ukraine, India and hopefully Mozambique) but millions of street children around the world. Together these children will use this global platform to challenge negative perceptions and to highlight the treatment of street children around the world.
I am so glad that we are able to make the Amos Trust and the Street Child World Cup the focus of our Diocesan Lent Appeal for 2013. There are resources, including films, for use in the parish and school available from Amos Trust and the Street Child World Cup websites.
