CGTN America
While fans around the world tuned in to watch some of the world’s best soccer players compete for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, another global soccer tournament was also taking place: the Street Child World Cup.
Prior to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the government implemented a “clean up” the streets of Durban campaign in preparation for the games. The campaign sought to remove people living on the city’s streets, including 300 kids, by forcing them out of the city center or detaining them.
The Street Child World Cup was founded in response to the policy, giving children, who have either lived or worked on the streets, an opportunity to participate in a country-by-country soccer competition. The organization continued its efforts in 2014, hosting a competition in conjunction with the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. This year, kids also had the opportunity to express themselves artistically.
Full Frame takes a trip to the streets of Brazil to see how the organization is reminding people worldwide of the humanity of children, even if they live on the streets. Follow the Street Child World Cup on Twitter @SCWC2014
“It’s not about football skills; football is our headline, but it really this is more than a game,” said Joe Hewitt, director of communications and head of the Street Child World Cup Brazil Office.
“This is more than a football game. It’s about which children have gotten away from the streets, which are the best examples to the other children. They’re away from the streets, away from drugs. They’re in education. They’ve become ambassadors.”
