Street Child World Cup Rio 2014

Millions of children are forced to survive on the streets around the world. It is known that street girls everywhere are at high risk of violence, abuse and sexual exploitation, but their low visibility makes it hard to help them.

Girls are forced onto the streets for many reasons, but sometimes it’s simply because they are a girl. Some girls come to the streets because they are escaping abuse, traffickers or a life of domestic servitude.

Typically, there are fewer girls than boys seen on the streets, in many places they stay hidden either to protect themselves or because once they come to the streets they are forced into less visible activities such as sex work.

“It’s hard the situation on the streets for girls because society doesn’t see us. We are invisible.” Blanca, Team Nicaragua

Girls on the streets are not being properly supported or represented, they are often neglected, marginalised and vulnerable to gender-based violence and discrimination.

Cultural and societal attitudes and behaviours need to be challenged and awareness raised of the reality for street girls. They need to be more visible. Their voices need to be heard.

“Now I can conquer, because I have learnt that however tight I am marked, I can always score a goal.” Olivia, Team Zimbabwe

Innocent, Burundi

Innocent represented Team Burundi and now works to support children living on the streets in Bujumbura.

Drika, Brazil

Drika lifted the 2014 Street Child World Cup for Team Brazil and is now a Community Coach at Safe Space in Rio de Janeiro.

Our partner organisations reported increased awareness and support for their work supporting street-connected children as a result of their participation.

Burundi

Burundi’s participation helped them secure further funding, which has doubled the capacity of their education programme and enabled them to start providing accommodation to some of the children they support.

“Street Child United has helped us a lot in raising our voice. When we go back home everyone is excited to hear about what we did and it get spread on all media, the governments also give us an opportunity to present our goals, and tell them our dreams and the change we want to see. This has enabled us to carry our voice and our thoughts further than expected, which made people now listen to us and give value to our work.” Dieudonné Nahimana, New Generation Burundi

Brazil boys

Following the Street Child World Cup, the National Secretariat for Human Rights of Brazil invited our partner organisation, O Pequeno Nazareno, to present their ‘Children are not of the streets’ policy at a national summit for street children in 2015.

“When the Street Child World Cup happened in Brazil in 2014 there was a big change in the government’s perspective. Because it saw the whole world was looking at Brazil and that something should be done about it. And after we were invited by the government to participate in a working group with many ministries to think and plan a set of solutions for children who are on the streets – it all happened after the Street Child World Cup in 2014.” Manoel Torquato, O Pequeno Nazareno

Brazil girls

Safe Space football pitch built in Rio de Janeiro, which now offers football training and learning opportunities to 45 children per day.

Media coverage in 20 countries

300+ pieces in leading international and national media outlets including BBC, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, CNN, The Times of India, O Globo. 220+ million people reached worldwide. Advertising Value Equivalent in excess of £4 million (Precious Media)

Leaders and influencers engaged

• Pope Francis blessed the Street Child World Cup and declared it a “significant initiative”.
• HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge sent a message of support and encouragement to the teams.
• Brazil World Cup Winner and Arsenal invincible, Gilberto Silva came to the tournament, and was inspired by the children to become a Street Child United global ambassador.
• Brazil legends Bebeto and Zico visited and pledged their support.