We have recently been raising money (thanks to Jon Wills efforts in the Brighton Marathon) for a group of people going to serve with Umthombo Street Kids work in Durban. We have had a heart for the city and its extraordinary people since we helped organise Prayer A-Cross Durban in conjunction with SoulInTheCity Durban (organised by Soul Survivor) in 2008.

We recently received an email from Ben Griffiths (who organised loads of SITCD) giving update on the light of street kids during the World Cup and Umthombo's role in getting public pressure put on the authorities to stop them ... well watch this and then read what is below:

Dim lights

Dear Friends,

As we approach the fun and festivities of the world cup it is worth remembering the injustice that some South Africans have and are going to experience through the competition. The injustice inflicted on the poor to ensure our entertainment.
Street Children Rounded Up

One of the organisations I had the privilege of getting to know and work with was Umthombo, a Street Children’s charity. They are trying to raise the profile over the police rounding up and dumping in the bush street children to make the city look better for the tourists. This has cost them with the local government turning off the electricity on round up evenings to their safe houses and shelters are in the dark forcing children onto the streets. One of their Durban city centre homes has now suffered fire damage due to a black out.

Rolling Black Outs

With the ongoing power shortage situation in South Africa already existing and now with the increase in demand for the world cup it looks like the model of rolling blackouts will increase over the next few weeks. Although in theory these are evenly spread over cities with so many tourists around they are likely to be only auctioned in poor communities where no one will notice. These are usually hot spots for crime and puts vulnerable men, women and children at risk.
http://www.sa2010.gov.za/en/node/3118 (The Governments take but friends out there telling a different story)

Stop the Traffic

Children have already gone missing from around rural communities and are expected to have been taken for the sex trade for the world cup.

http://www.ngopulse.org/article/human-trafficking-and-2010-fifa-world-cup

http://www.sabcnews.com/portal/site/SABCNews/menuitem.5c4f8fe7ee929f602ea12ea1674daeb9/?vgnextoid=98f29e6a0c918210VgnVCM10000077d4ea9bRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Our entertainment comes at another person’s cost. It’s not to enjoy the football but just be aware the raise the profile where you can.

Thanks

Ben Griffiths