Posted on the 27th February 2016
Brazil World Cup Winner and Street Child United Global Ambassador, remedy Gilberto Silva, seek visited Complexo da Penha – a favela community in Rio de Janeiro – home to one member of the Brazilian Street Child Games Team.
Gilberto met Gabi, online who is one of four young Brazilians preparing to represent their country and children at risk of the streets in Brazil, at the first-ever Street Child Games.
Ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Street Child Games will take place in Rio from March 14 – 20 2016. From the streets to the starting blocks, the Street Child Games recognises some of the world’s most marginalised young people as athletes and delegates – inviting those who have lived in the shadows to step into the spotlight in the Olympic city.
Gabi is part of the Favela Street and Street Child United Brazil project working in Penha to provide a safe space to play and opportunities through sport to children at risk of the streets. The area has seen a high level of gun violence between traffickers and police, which can flare up daily on the streets of the community.
Alongside Gabi, Brazil will be represented by three other young people who are supported by our partners Sao Martinho working across Rio and O Pequeno Nazareno in Fortaleza, north Brazil.
Host-nation Brazil will welcome former street children and young people from countries across the world including, Argentina, Great Britain, Egypt, Liberia, Burundi, Mozambique, India, Pakistan and the Philippines for Olympic-themed sports and a Congress promoting the rights of street children.
Gabi said, “My dream is to become a professional footballer…My biggest challenge is finding opportunities.”
“I’m excited about the sprinting at the Street Child Games – I’m confident I’m going to win.”
Gilberto sent a good luck message to all the teams and young people getting ready to take part and looks forward to welcoming them to Rio in just 16 days!
You can make a difference – support, share & donate to help us provide a continued platform for street children to show the world: #IamSomebody
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major has been announced as Patron of the Street Child Cricket World Cup 2019, the finals of which will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. With the world looking...
Posted 25 Mar 2018
There are an estimated 150 million children surviving on the streets around the world who need your love, your respect and your help to ensure they are seen and their voices heard. This February we...
Posted 10 Jan 2018
