India

Between Tuesday 9th and Friday 12th November (2010), Cricket for Change delivered a ‘Street Kids’ programme in New Delhi, India.   The programme was part of the ICC’s ‘Catch the Spirit campaign and was delivered in partnership with UNICEF’S ‘Right to Education, Right to Play’ strategy. 

The week began on Tuesday evening with a reception at the British High Commission where we were welcomed by Sir Richard Stagg, the British High Commissioner, who also hosted the representatives from the 14 NGO’s we would be training over the next three days.  Danny Baker and Adam Hall (C4C coaches) introduced the game of ‘Street20’ to the NGO workers on Wednesday morning and highlighted how the game could be used to engage with young 'Street Kids' and provide them with the opportunity to play wherever they may be, even if their space and equipment is limited. 

Over the next three days, Danny Baker, introduced a series of youth work games that helped the NGO workers to understand how using games that developed communication skills, confidence, self worth and self esteem in young people could really benefit the Street Kids that they were working with on a daily basis.   

A major issue the NGO’s and UNICEF face is securing venues for the children to play safely and without being moved on by the Police.  Following our reception at the British High Commission we were linked with the British School.  They very kindly offered to provide a venue for the children to participate in festivals and tournaments once a month and therefore solving this problem.   The school were also keen to offer their pupils to act as volunteers for the programme.

While in Delhi, the team took time out in the evenings after the days training to visit some of the NGO’s projects.  The poverty that the Street Kids endure was quite remarkable and very sad.  However, they all still love cricket, their national game and pride of the country.  The excitement our visit caused was inspiring for us and confirmed our desire to grow this area of our work as there were so many children who could benefit from playing and building relationships with their fellow Street Kids.  By training some of children in the future we hope to offer them a way out of the very basic and impoverished lives they lead at the moment.

The programme was a great success inspiring 24 NGO workers to use this game of ‘Street20’ and providing a solution to what would be considered a simple problem to solve in the UK but one that had really limited opportunity for Street Kids to play in Delhi.  

We are continuing to link with the NGO’s and UNICEF in Delhi and we hope to be able to develop and grow a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme there in 2011. 

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