A Quiet Morning

April 04, 2014  /  Adam Baker

It has been a quiet morning for me today. I have been working on a song by one of the kids adding guitar to it and preparing to record his voice. It has been a very nice morning after lots of busy days. 

SE2000A

SE2000A

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A Visit To Vidigal Favela and Today's Schedule

April 03, 2014  /  Adam Baker

A Visit To Vidigal Favel yesterday was packed with lots of fun activities, street dance, music, sports and games with local people. We were raising the banner of The Street Child World Cup in Vidigal together! The kids alongside a graffiti artist made this mural.

A Visit To Vidigal Favela

A Visit To Vidigal Favela

I was also making some music with some of the kids in the evening yesterday. We got some beats to one of the kids songs. It was nice hearing kids sing and share their songs. 

One of the fringe activities I find really exciting is a sign language work shop. I heard good things about it. There are so many cool things taking place. 

Today is going to be a little bit more chilled out for me as it is much more football heavy. So lots of football to follow online. The final conference will take place today. We will look at issues that the kids can campaign about in their countries and how they can do that with the support of Street Child World Cup. 

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The Team Of Life Conferences

April 01, 2014  /  Adam Baker

We were looking at our goals both those achieved and those we hope to achieve, in football and in life. The metaphor of football is opening up all sorts of interesting discussion for the kids. Today we will look at issues facing boys with the boys and what kind of boy they want to be. How do we handle losing, and winning? 

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Wide Open Arms

April 01, 2014  /  Adam Baker

Yesterday the kids went to the Christ The Redeemer in Rio and then the Maracana. However not all the kids made it into the stadium which was sad for them. 

We had our first songwriting workshop where we listened to songs by one of the Burundi boys which was so amazing. We had a lot of fun together. 

 

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Opening Ceremony

March 31, 2014  /  Adam Baker

The opening ceremony was beautiful as we celebrated the start of the street child world cup. The pope sent us a message, and so did Prince  William, and we remembered a Brazilian player who was recently killed on the day of his birthday. It was a very moving ceremony and I am excited about what we are standing for in this Street Child World Cup that no child should ever have to live on the streets.

Pics soon

 

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The first conference day

March 29, 2014  /  Adam Baker

Today we had our first conference day, I have been with Team Burundi. We were exploring our goals, our team using the football team metaphor to think about who has helped us achieve our goals, who helps protect us and issues like these. It is very much child led, we are much more like facilitators offering guidance and the activities, art and music provide the children with ways to communicate and share what they are learning and experiencing. 

I have also been preparing the late show which tonight will have a danse from Team India.

The teams are so excited to be here, they are full of joy and anticipation. Its amazing seeing each team. 

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Fridays Happenings

March 29, 2014  /  Adam Baker

Yesterday I was getting prepared for the Late Night Show, and doing some Fringe activity planning. We also formed 400 + person conga line, and present the teams with their kits. Pics Soon. I have to go Im in the conference in 5 minutes.

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Volunteers arriving

March 26, 2014  /  Adam Baker

Volunteers are arriving, we had 61 last night and 70 more coming tonight. The teams will arrive on Thursday. Excitement is building. We are decorating and preparing the wonderful site in Rio.

 

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4,000 To Send Off Pakistand

March 26, 2014  /  Adam Baker

4,000 supporters in Pakistan will go to the airport to send off the Pakistan team. One boys entire community are going to be there, It will be live on television and has already had major coverage. These children will go back heroes. For the first time people are seeing these kids as somebodies and not street kids. This is more than a game. I am so excited.

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Newsflash Rio

March 26, 2014  /  Adam Baker

The finals are going to be covered by 3 major tv stations in Brazil. They will also take place in a real football stadium. Street Children are raising their voices in a language that many Brazilians and many other nations understand, the language of football. 

The conferences are also an invitation for governments and organisations, ambassadors and key influential people to come along and hear the street children tell their stories and talk about change. 

 

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Rio Arrival

March 25, 2014  /  Adam Baker

After some 27 hours or so I am in Rio, a good nights kip (sleep) behind me and starting to prepare for volunteers arriving tonight and tomorrow. We are starting to make some banners to welcome the kids and making the cardboard favela. 

This morning we started with a reflection and meditation praying for The Street Child World Cup and thinking about Christ's wide open arms with a song from Garth Hewitt.  I will post some of these thoughts up later.

Now back to work

 

Pitch side the next day

Poolside

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Lisbon

March 24, 2014  /  Adam Baker

Im now in Lisbon with 5 hours or so to wait. So Im in the town grabbing a coffee, and then busking to raise some money for The Street Child World Cup. But no one is around so I am waiting, and hoping they come out before I have to go back to the airport!

The surprising and exciting news is that my guitar could come on board the plane. So Im hoping for the same again, for every journey, that always makes me feel happier and that the guitar is safe. 

Thanks for all your support, I can't believe it that tonight I will be in Rio!

 

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