Rio Reception for Street Child World Cup

Posted on the 11th August 2013

Her Majesty’s Consul General in Rio de Janeiro Paula Walsh welcomed over eighty guests to a reception supporting the Street Child World Cup in Rio on Tuesday 6 August. The evening marked the first in a series of events in Brazil building momentum towards the football tournament and conference for street children’s rights in 2014.

Legendary Brazilian artist and author Ziraldo was announced as the charities first Brazilian Ambassador and he presented a piece of artwork dedicated to raising awareness of street children throughout Brazil.

Street Child World Cup founder John Wroe said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ziraldo into the Street Child World Cup family. Ziraldo has spoken this evening about the incredible potential of those children who live in the shadows of society and that is what the Street Child World Cup is all about.”

Street Child World Cup partners from both the Fortaleza and Rio projects spoke about the issue of child homelessness in Brazil and the need for society, business and Government to do more. Guest speakers included Manoel Torquato – who discussed the national campaign Criança não é da rua (children not of the street), a former Rio street girl and also a former drug trafficker both of whom had turned their lives around with the help of IBISS. The reception took place at the offices of law firm Pinheiro Neto who provide pro-bono assistance to the Street Child World Cup in Brazil.

The evening ended with a message from the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres via his Rio-based commissary Father Nicholas Wheeler who said:

“The Street Child World Cup is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference for millions of street children who deserve a future free from fear, neglect and abuse. I hope it is a great celebration of life and hope.”

In Brazil the event will be known as the Copa da Rua, with the strapline “Children united to turn the tide”.

With thanks to Dufry Brasil.