The opportunity
A global event like the FIFA World Cup generates so much excitement that street children and other vulnerable people can easily be forgotten. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup aims to give them a voice. Momentum Arts, a Cambridge-based community arts agency teamed up with the Amos Trust and Umthombo, a charity working with street children in South Africa, to create a unique project that unites the arts, football and human rights.
Street children from eight countries came to Durban in March 2010 to express themselves on the football pitch and through art. Momentum helped them collaborate with artists to tell their stories in new and creative ways. We helped Momentum raise funds for the project through one of our business members and by engaging the Cambridge business community and making valuable contacts in South Africa.
The impact
In the UK the project achieved enormous political and media support, including a launch reception at 11 Downing Street, hosted by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, local and international artists worked with the children to explore themes such as ‘Identity’ and ‘Places of safety and danger’. The exhibition of their work at Durban Art Gallery was opened on the day of the tournament final and invited the public to become advocates for street children’s rights. It also challenged people’s expectations and allowed the children to reassess their own potential by seeing their art in a formal gallery setting.
We hope that the success of the project will be a model for future events, including the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
All images: Momentum Arts
Street Child World Cup