The opening day and the parade kicks off a week of street soccer.
Players come from all over the world in celebration of life and survival. Achievement surrounds them, before a ball has been kicked everyone is a winner.
I caught up with Hannah Voice a 20 year old goalkeeper from the HFA England’s Women Team.
She spoke of her pride and overwhelming joy at not only representing her country but being chosen to be captain and flag bearer.
“It’s beyond my wildest dreams, a totally life changing moment”.
Having become homeless a year ago, given a label of homeless. Today on the field of football she was given a new label ‘flag bearer’ one that she hopes is the catalyst.
“I hope to work for the HFA, it would be my dream to be in football again. ”
She was once as a 12 year old on the books of Chelsea, before an injury halted her career.
“Words can’t describe the emotion I felt. ”
A sense of pride on her face and a moment of reflection on how far she’s come in a year.
Symbolically waving the flag for many others back in England. Showing that redefining the labels is sometimes is all it takes.
I spoke to a guy in my hostel that like many others came to see a few matches today , he said he didn’t believe they were or had been homeless. After a long discussion, he understood a bit more about that label. Interesting to note that’s not what he saw though he saw players, with pride for their countries. I hope that’s what the world sees.
Follow the work of the Homeless Football association on the link below.
It’s that time again when I head off to the Homeless World Cup, this year in Amsterdam.
This will be the 7th year attending each one has its own unique flavour and atmosphere. The one consistent is the overwhelming feeling of joy, inspiration and camaraderie.
If you weren’t aware it was where the long journey of Streets Revolution began back in 2009.
Since then I have been fortunate enough to not only attend every year, but meet some wonderful human beings that have inspired me and made me aware of the HOPE that the simple act of kicking a ball together can bring.
My perceptions have been changed, my education although not complete has been thorough. I’ve been challenged about how I think about homelessness and what that means in different parts of the world.
The Netherlands has in Amsterdam approached the issue of homelessness in a way tackling the problem at the root cause.
Here is a link and a more in depth look it makes for interesting reading;
I never really know what to expect the people I meet and the conversations I will have. I can guarantee a few things, great football, awesome people, inspirational stories and reassurance that despite the societal problems, economic difficulties and rising pressure across the globe as homelessness is on the increase, that there are people working hard to end this situation, that sport has a part to make a difference. That there is light at the end of that tunnel. There is HOPE.
Please follow some of these stories here and visit the Homeless World Cup website to get live action and be part of it wherever you are.
Streets revolution Kenya project members are so thankful to the SR World for their support towards streets youths since they partnered. The project which has a football team , bracelets making and currently initiating drama, traditional dances,Art,photograph,creative writing both seniors and juniors boys and girls has a total of 50 members. We started as a football team but we have experienced many youths having interest to join SR Kenya and can do other sports and have decided to co opt them.
Streets Revolution organization that uses sports and leisure as a tool to engage marginalized section of the community, Homeless, Unemployment, Mental illness, N.E.E.T’s, Disabled, Ex offenders, Asylum seekers amongst many others.
Streets Revolution Kenya seniors have played 30 friendly matches this year .The teams which SR Kenya has played are:
Kariobangi sports f.c,Tena academy f.c,Al supkem f.c,Kariobangi south f.c,Buru buru Sacramento f.c,Elevate f.c,Over coming f.c,Idomitable academy,Umoja f.c,Huruma youth,Asec f.c,Lucky summer f.c,Babado dogo f.c,Uganda school, Classic f.c,Roodney f.c,Pa parazi f.c,Malta f.c,Korogocho youth, Metro sports ,Kariobangi sharks f.c,Liberty,Bungoma youth,Pangani technical,Dandora youth f.c,Ken aric industry club,Turang f.c,Roy sambu f.c,Kasarani youth f.c,Waliotii f.c, and Olympic .SR Kenya juniors have played 25 matches, ladies have played 15 matches. During this matches it had been brilliant to us because of the uniforms, boots and balls sent to us by Jon.
Our request to SR World is to move fast so that SR Kenya can be legally registered, support us to secure our project plot build club house if possible so that some of our members can move out of streets and have somewhere to sleep during the night, support us with transport money during matches, register SR Kenya to play league and also approve our proposal so that we can be self sustainable.
We are so grateful to SR family and partnership also for the support of equipments. They have given us direction, hope and motivation here in slums through sports. We believe in long term rewards of developing our community and bring glory to our country in future.
We caught up on-line with Mukasa Nassar and asked him to tell us what’s been happening in Uganda and his plans for the future
How did you start?
Streets Revolution Uganda is a brain child of Streets Revolution CIC, initiated in 2011 by Mukasa Nassar who had a similar vision of reaching out to the marginalized and less fortunate people in Uganda through the power of sports and edutainment activities. Through strategic multi partnership and networking with Jonathan Regler, It fully started operating on 3rd Oct 2011 and since then it has been progressing steadily on its mission of engaging, educating, empowering and making a positive lasting change in people’s lives. What are you doing?
Streets Revolution Uganda is engaged in a number of activities which include mobilizing the hard to reach population to engage in positive activities which promote their wellbeing (music and playing football); planning, developing and sustaining drop in and training sessions; organizing friendly matches and lobbying for technical, logistical and financial support.
What is the impact of football?
Football has enhanced talent identification and Individual development; promoted physical fitness, health life styles & disease Prevention; torn apart the walls of social paradigm attached with homelessness; Social Integration and Social capital development; i.e. making new friends; healed scars of trauma and depression for those who had lost hope for the future; boosted discipline, leadership and teamwork skills of members engaged.
The team from Uganda
Hopes for the future?
To expand to other hard to reach population; To introduce more sports and edutainment programs; To organize youth health camps; To get volunteers with vast experience in sports coaching and refereeing; To introduce Social Inclusion Tournaments and engage in both national and international tournaments; and To create skills development centre and employment opportunities for self- reliance.
Participants in Uganda were asked a few questions and this is what they said (5 Ugandan Schillings is less than 10p) ~
Aphan Kibugo
He is 21 years old and one of our members from a vulnerable home. His guardians could not afford meeting his scholastic needs and fees for his secondary education. Because of his talents and passion for football, he was awarded a scholarship for his higher education and just recently finished his S.6 final exams for his Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). He seeks going for further professional career in coaching. Because of his passion for coaching, we have partly assigned him the role of coaching the junior team of kids, he loves it so much.
Through our interactive conversations with him he had this to say
What have you got from playing with SR Uganda?
My playing with SRU has helped so much on improving my skills in football as well as coaching, he have been able to practice what we learn and teaching it to my fellow young brothers in the junior team; I have also been able to make more friends on the pitch and outside the pitch. The community has also started seeing and appreciating my coaching skills I pass on the young ones. I have also remained physically fit due to the daily training.
What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to continue with my career in football coaching and passing on skills to the young ones. I hope one day in future to become a professional player and a coach in a big team.
What is your daily life like for you?
I was always bored when I came back for holidays because I lacked friends to play organised football with but since I joined SRU, I have gained hope and my future seems brightened
How can we help you from outside Uganda?
You can help me by sponsoring my professional career of coaching; providing me with equipments and football kits, funds to facilitate team activities like paying subscription to participate in national tournaments and travelling and meeting other small needs of children for instance sometimes, children ask me for water during training. You can also support with first aid medical kits.
What would you do with 5 UG shillings? How would it help you?
I would save it, help me in buying my needs like football kits, and if I happen to save enough funds, I would use it for supporting me in continuing with education career.
2. Ojobie Joel 15yrs.
He is half orphan and dropped out of school because the mum could not afford paying for his scholastic needs. By the time we identified him he was at high risk of joining the street life due to being desperate and idle.
What have you got from playing with SR Uganda?
I have learned football skills, team work, discipline and I have also got many friends which I never used to have before.
What do you hope to achieve?
I hope one day to become a professional footballer and play for Uganda Cranes. I also hope to get more football skills and become a famous midfielder like Alex of
What is your daily life like for you?
I was bored, used to spend my day in the local cinema halls watching movies and their friends I had got who were on the street who were encouraging me to take drugs but I refused.
How can we help you from outside Uganda?
To support me in going back to school, to help me with football kits like balls, shoes, jerseys.
What would you do with 5 UG shillings? How would it help you?
I would save it and buy my needs like shoes, clothes, books.
Kagere Assuman 17 yrs. He is from a needy family and a school drop out because parent could afford to meet the school needs
What have got from playing with SR Uganda?
I have gained skills, I have become physically fit, I have also made many friends, I have also been taught discipline and team work
What do you hope to achieve?
To become a professional footballer and play for the Uganda cranes. I also hope to go outside Uganda and play international football. I also hope to make more friends.
What is your daily life like for you?
I was so lonely and spent most of time wandering aimless on streets, looking for what to do and earn a survival. Then I got a casual job to wash people’s cars which I do up to now.
How can we help you from outside Uganda?
To support me in continuing with education through giving school fees, scholastic materials, football kits like jerseys, shoes and also giving me more skills and tactics
What would you do with 5 UG shillings? How would it help you?
I would save it and buy my needs like clothes, food, training jersey and shoes.
I would also save it and buy my scholastic needs, pay tuition and start a small business to support me.
meet the kids who love football
If you want to support any of our projects and the work we want to have to achieve then click on the link and make a donation Streets Revolution CIC and help us make a difference.
I have recently returned from a visit to Perpignan, an exchange visit to see how across europe we can form an Association that brings together people with Mental health problems who have used sport and other leisure activities to assist in recovery and impact change in their communities.
Along side the nurses and leaders from COASTERS, we met up with other similar volunteers and workers from Belgium, France, and Slovakia.
It was interesting hearing and exploring how other countries and individuals are working on the ways in which attitudes and perceptions need to be changed and the similarities in which we work to change internal thoughts through collective sports and programmes designed to build self esteem and confidence.
J’ai récemment rentré d’une visite à Perpignan, une visite d’échange pour voir comment à travers l’Europe, nous pouvons former une association qui rassemble des gens avec des problèmes de santé mentale qui ont utilisé le sport et autres activités de loisirs pour aider à changer la récupération et l’impact dans leurs communautés.
À côté des infirmières et des dirigeants de VERRES, nous avons rencontré avec d’autres bénévoles similaires et les travailleurs de la Belgique, la France et la Slovaquie.
Il était intéressant d’entendre et d’explorer comment les autres pays et les individustravaillent sur la façon dont les attitudes et les perceptions doivent être modifiées et les similitudes dans lequel nous travaillons à changer les pensées internes à travers le sport collectif et des programmes visant à construire l’estime de soi et la confiance.
I have seen how even though our French was not as good as their English and our Slovakian non existent, we were not only able to understand each other, but shared and communicated our passion for making a difference, I have added a few videos of some of the people we met and the work they do at LaMaison Bleue.
We met some fascinating people with wonderful stories of hope and possibilities and explore how even more can be achieved if we work together,
Many people believe in recovery and yet in France many struggle to be given the opportunity to once again become fully fledged members of society , plagued with inconsistencies and bureaucracy, with funding shortages and struggles with discrimination and stigma, sound familiar?
Our visit to LaMaison Bleue
J’ai vu comment, même si notre français n’est pas aussi bon que leur anglais et de notre existant slovaque non, nous n’étions pas seulement capables de comprendre les uns les autres, mais partagée et communiquée notre passion pour faire une différence, j’ai ajouté quelques vidéos de certains des gens que nous avons rencontrés et le travail qu’ils accomplissent au LaMaison Bleue.
Nous avons rencontré certaines personnes fascinant avec de merveilleuses histoiresd’espoir et de possibilités et d’explorer comment encore plus peut être réalisé et de travailler ensemble,
Beaucoup de gens croient dans le rétablissement et encore en France beaucoup peinent à avoir la possibilité de redevenir membres à part entière de la société à nouveau, aux prises avec des contradictions et de la bureaucratie, avec des pénuries de financement et de luttes avec la discrimination et la stigmatisation,semble familier?
We are hoping to see the project in Bratislva in Slovakia soon and also visit the guys and girls in Belgium, with a culmination event in Oxford 2013.
Whatever the plans we are all passionate about the power of sport and how it be used for social change the individual languages are different, but the language of social inclusion is shared and universal and brings a light of hope for the future of people who for too long now have been discriminated against ,misunderstood and targeted.
Its only by sharing knowledge and experiences can we hope to have a lasting impact on members of our society not strangers in the wilderness.
Nous espérons voir le projet dans Bratislva en Slovaquie, bientôt, et aussi visiter les gars et les filles en Belgique, avec un événement culminant à Oxford 2013.
Quelles que soient les plans, nous sommes tous passionnés par le pouvoir du sportet comment il sera utilisé pour un changement social les différentes langues sont différentes, mais la langue de l’inclusion sociale est partagé et universel et apporte une lumière d’espoir pour l’avenir du peuple qui souffre depuis trop longtemps ont été discriminés incompris et ciblées. Son seul en partageant les connaissances et les expériences que nous pouvons espérer avoir un impact durable sur les membres de notre société n’est pas des étrangers dans le désert.
It struck me that the language of social inclusion is the same as the universal language of football and allows for many comparisons and as all players hope for an equal chance to participate, so do people with a variety of people who have or are suffering from mental health problems.
The players hope for rules that are equal and fair, for the opportunity despite skill or ability, to be allowed to express themselves, not be bullied or prevented from that by so called ‘stronger’ members of the team, and most of all they all feel the same when a GOAL is scored and that is the joy of the sport, that allows equality of enjoyment.
Il m’a semblé que la langue de l’inclusion sociale est le même que le langage universel du football et permet des comparaisons nombreuses et, comme tous les joueurs espèrent une chance égale de participer, de sorte que les gens avec une variété de personnes qui ont ou qui sont atteintes de troubles mentaux problèmes de santé.
Les joueurs d’espoir pour des règles qui sont justes et équitables, pour l’occasion en dépit de compétences ou la capacité, pour être autorisé à s’exprimer, ne pas êtreintimidés ou empêchés d’qu’en soi-disant plus «forte» des membres de l’équipe, et surtout ils ont tous ressentent la même chose quand un but est marqué et qui est la joie de ce sport, qui permet l’égalité de jouissance.
We wish everyone a prosperous and equal new year in 2012. Where ever you maybe.
Nous souhaitons à tous une année prospère et égalitaire de nouvelles en 2012. Où que vous peut-être.
We are nearly there, all the planning and sweating will they come is nearly over.
The Oxford Social Inclusion Cup 2011 kicks off in October to raise awareness of people suffering mental distress and people experiencing homelessness.
Streets Revolution CIC, in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, is hosting a 6-a-side football tournament on Monday 10 October at Warneford Hospital, Oxford, 10am-5pm, to mark World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day.
Teams from organisations working with people who are homeless or with mental health issues are needed to take part in the competition. Teams must be 6-a-side and players must be over 16. By entering a team, organisations can promote the work they do as well as make the event a positive experience for participants.
The competition’s message is ‘More than Words’, as Jon Regler, Chairman of Streets Revolution, explains: “The purpose of Streets Revolution is to give people something to associate themselves with, something to label themselves with that isn’t homelessness or mental health or any of the other negatives in their lives. Everyone who comes along has been harmed or marginalised by words in some way – whether through labels that society has decided to put on them or simply because of a lack positive, affirmative words in their lives.”
The tournament is partly paid for by an Anti-Stigma Mental Health Grant, which Streets Revolution bid for earlier this year from a grant funded by Oxfordshire PCT and managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA).
To help the day go off with a bang, the organisers are looking for donations for goodie bags for the participants, for example shower gel, sports socks, key rings or pens. They also need donations of refreshments to serve throughout the event.
To donate items,or money!!!
Contact Jon Regler
Watch the video here http://www.twitvid.com/TFDUQ
On the 10th of October 2011,we will be hosting the Oxford Social Inclusion Cup(OSIC) an annual football tournament which aims to raise awareness of the issues of marginalised members of our community and especially the people who find themselves HOMELESS.
Crisis recently released a report, a further effort, to understand this much used and misconstrued expression to describe someone who for one reason or another finds themselves without a stable, permanent HOME of their own.
I found myself looking into a cloudless sky last night, in awe of the brightness and beauty of the stars.
It made me reflect on the OSIC event and how we now know that on that day we can celebrate the rising stars on the field, the shooting stars off the field who have helped in various ways along the journey.
Also the many stars that have faded and died along the way, too many to mention individually and not always noticed.
Q. How many people are considered HOMELESS in the UK?
A. How many stars in the night sky?
Some are really obvious and bright and noticeable, others hidden on friends sofas and in squats, in police and prison cells for somewhere safe and warm to stay. In strangers homes for motives not so pure….
Some are now well used to keeping out of the public eye, and like it that way, sleeping in places not really fit for purpose, but away from prying eyes.
No one star is better than the other, no situation a homeless person finds themselves in worse than the next.
It’s all WRONG and not justifiable.
On the 10/10/11 we are aiming under the theme of #morethanwords to use our tournament to kick out the words people use for OUR stars and hope you join us in person or in spirit.
The hidden stars need to come out, we need to celebrate the shooting stars on there way up, and encourage others to aim for the stars.
I have been getting excited with only 3 days to go to the Homeless World Cup in Paris.
Every year players from all corners of the world come together in celebration and recognition of the hard work and effort they have made to get themselves on an even keel again.
It led me to think what does it mean to be homeless?
Maybe it is better to say what it isn’t rather than what it is.
It isn’t PERMANENT, it is for a lot of people a circumstance, sometimes a long time, but either at the beginning or the end of adult life.
It isn’t the END, alot of people will move forward or return to lead a positive life again.
It isn’t CATCHING, it’s not a disease in which you can by contact alone become homeless yourself.
Although some would argue it is a plague or epidemic, which unless as a society we collectively agree we have to eradicate, will only grow in numbers.
It is not HOPELESS, we can all make a difference, in small ways locally, nationally and globally we can help, be creative.
We at Streets Revolution have found one way as have similar projects around the world.
It’s about being creative to find small ways YOU can help!!!
It isn’t about STEREOTYPES, every person I have met had a unique story and a unique struggle.
Labelling is a big factor, and only enables the problem to remain, maybe by listening to the personal stories from all the players at the Homeless World Cup, you will gain a better understanding.
A maybe, just maybe that’s how a BALL CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.
My name is Patrick Hato i was born into a family of four and i am the first born.I started playing football at the age of 12yrs in Korogocho slums.
In the year 1997 i made my first trip to Norway as a player in under sixteen category to participate in an annual tournament called Norway cup.Last year i was the captain of Kenya in HWC held in Rio.
My football experience had been challenging due to the environment which i was brought into, it is drugs and crime infested.
Thank God football had always been my partner and this is why i escaped all this.I have also changed other street boys come out of drugs and crime to join sports activities.
My hopes for Streets Revolution Kenya Fc is to use sports as a tool for change in a community that is poverty stricken, environmentally unhealthy and crime infested and to also improve living conditions of village and slum dwellers.A part from sports we will be running other programmes namely HIV/AIDS,clean ups in our village,Batik making,leadership project where youth come together work on leadership skills,drama,music,poetry among others.
Interesting conversations recently lead me to wonder. Can you be in the business of people?
We often talk about outputs and outcomes when thinking about project plans and visions, when we are in the BUSINESS of people.
Do you have to be a good people person first or a good business person to make a charity or social enterprise work.
I recently met alot of different people some in business and social enterprise, some local some national. From these like minded people I learnt about what to do and what not to do!!!
For me we should and have to make money to best continue and develop the PEOPLE we are saying we are there to help.
Though never forgetting who and why we are there in the first place.
I was recently told I was a cross between Brian Clough, Mother Theresa, and Chad Varah. Truth is anyone trying to pave the way for those marginalised in society had to be a combination of different traits.
Courage, Creativity, Confident, and single minded. The only way to make a difference.
So below we see how a guy from Oxford( Darren Lavin) can inspire another in Huntingdon (Steve Woodford) so Streets Revolution continues on to new horizons.
Streets Revolution - the Blog 