India has won the soccer World Cup. For street children, that is. In yesterday’s nerve-wracking final the Indian team beat Tanzania 1-0 after a penalty for foul play. But overall, they won much more: showing that street children are not all scum.

“When people see us in the streets, it’s obvious to them that we’re street children. But when they see us playing football, they say we’re not street children. Then we’re people like them,” explained one of the South African players during a training session.
 
And that was exactly what South-African organisation Umthombo and UK charity Amos Trust had in mind when they came up with the idea of the first ever Street Child World Cup. Last week, teams from eight countries played against each other in Durban.
 
Deported
The organising parties wanted to draw attention to the way street children are treated, in general and during high profile events. Besides being abused and ignored throughout the year, street children are often round up by the host authorities ahead of big events. Just to present a ‘clean’ outlook to the scores of international visitors.
 
“Street children have rights too. They should be treated like any other child, and that includes education, healthcare, a roof over their head and the assurance that they won’t get beaten up by the authorities,” argues Biza Madolo, coach of the South African team and himself a former street child.
 
“Football takes their mind off their everyday difficulties. This world cup shows off the talents these children have. They’re meeting children from around the world who are in a similar situation, contribute to an art exhibition and discuss issues that matter to them with people who can do something about it.”
 
Listen to South African coach Biza Madolo explaining more about the risks of being a street child, and his special rule for forming a top team:

Bafana Bafana

The work doesn’t stop after all teams go home tomorrow. Modolo will go back to his day job as a social worker with Umthombo. “We spend a lot of time trying to reunite street children with their parents. Some of the players had family coming over to watch them play during the tournament, which was a great encouragement. In the end, they all dream of playing for Bafana Bafana [South Africa’s national football team] one day!”

Watch the Street Child World Cup final!