BMS World Mission

School supports Street Child World Cup

10/02/2010

 

Students at a Portsmouth school have been creatively learning about street children, thanks to the efforts of a local Baptist minister.

 

And a day’s focus on the Street Child World Cup went so well that a whole week of lessons about the issue is being planned.

 

They also aim to raise funds for Team Nicaragua, which is being sponsored by BMS World Mission, to take part in next month’s event in South Africa.

 

Rev Simon Ford of Cosham Baptist Church was invited into Springfield School in Drayton last Tuesday (2 February) for year 9’s ‘Make a Difference Day’, along with a number of other charities.

 

Plan

Simon explains, “After thinking and praying about what I could do, I start to read about Team Nicaragua and the plan came together.”

 

Over three lessons, he shared something of the work of BMS with one of the tutor groups and asked them to think about the difference they could make with regards to the Street Child World Cup.

Simon Ford talks with students Simon Ford talks with students
Splitting into groups, the teenagers then got creative: making posters, writing stories, compiling e-mails to football clubs, composing a song, creating a drama and producing a poster that simply asks ‘who will you be supporting?’

 

Passion

“To see and hear the students understand the difficulties facing street children was brilliant”, says Simon.

See some of the students’ work by clicking the links in the 'downloads' box on the right.

 

The letter to headteacher Mrs Evans is by Sandi, Sarah, Ellie and Tilly; the ‘typical day’ and ‘Why?’ pieces are by Carissa and Amber; the song is written by Connor, Alex, Aladdin and Connor.

“It was great to see everyone taking part and humbling to feel their passion for the Street Child World Cup.”

 

“One student expressed their surprise that a mission agency was getting involved, another was hoping that it would make a real difference and others just learnt about a place called Nicaragua (although very few of them could pronounce it!).”

Holding poster, 'Who will you be supporting?'
Presenting posters
Presenting reflections
Engaging

Simon is really excited that this is just the beginning of a growing relationship between the church and the school.

 

“I will continue to liaise with the school over the curriculum week idea, and updates from the event being on their website. I am hoping that this Make a Difference Day will be able to be developed next year with another mission-based project.
 

“This project enabled young people with no or little faith to engage in a project that could possibly make a difference for thousands of young people and children – and one that is definitely making a difference for a small group of football-playing kids from Nicaragua.”

Could you do something similar to Simon Ford and Springfield School in your own community?

 

Click here to register your support for Team Nicaragua at the Deloitte Street Child World Cup, which takes place in South Africa in March.

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