The Amos Trust
London, UK
The Amos Trust is a UK charity who organised the Street Child World Cup (SCWC) in Durban, South Africa in March 2010. The trust will also be involved in the next event in Brazil in 2014.
This was much more than just a football tournament. It celebrated street children’s potential, and allowed their stories to be heard. SSSK is pleased to have been able to support the venture.
Eight teams of street children, including three girls in each team, came together to play some of the most passionate 7-a-side football of the year.
They also undertook a massive art project highlighting their experiences and their rights, in conjunction with township schools nearby.
There was also a three-day conference when the children were able to share their stories and opinions.
For many street children, football really is more than a matter of life or death. It’s the only good thing in their lives. It’s a break from hunger, abuse and fear.
The participating street children received high quality training in football coaching, as well as help and advice over advocacy and about child rights, to support them to build futures as peer mentors in their own countries. The hosts in Durban were the Umthombo street child project based in Durban that is predominantly run by former street children. Umthombo seeks to integrate children back into family units and to change the way street children are treated within South African society.
For more details look at the page on Street Child World Cup Outcomes which includes a number of videos, together with The Durban Declaration and the Street Girls Manifesto at the end.