FIFA WORLD CUP

As the world descends on South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages prepare for some exciting events while behind the scenes SOS organizers talk longer-term, funding benefits.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is finally here! If you were to ask the children of SOS South Africa about the long-awaited festivities they would tell you the most exciting events will not be contained to the football pitch.

The world Cup is bringing several thrilling activities to SOS children throughout the country. Several National team players, sports officials and international politicians have pledged to visit some of South Africa’s eight Village locations, while the SOS children themselves are invited to visit team training camps and experience the fun of watching players practice for the all important matches up-close. Organizers have provided free tickets for SOS children and youth to attend some of the matches throughout the month-long tournament. The SOS correspondent reports that the theses lucky villages are abuzz with anticipation.

SOS STAR – STUDDED EVENTS

In Mamelodi, excited villagers are expecting the Dutch national team to arrive for a visit on June 17th. Super stars like Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder will take part in a football match with children from the village and the neighborhood. In Ennerdale the Swiss national team will come for a similar visit with their German coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Former Luxemburg international Roby Langers, one of the squad of over 100 “FIFA for SOS Children’s Villages” ambassadors -which includes, among others, Ruud van Nistelrooy, the ever popular Wayne Rooney, Fabio Cannavaro, Lucas Radebe and Samuel Eto’o – will visit the SOS Children’s Village in Cape Town, and the Luxemburg Minister for Sport will also be going to Ennerdale or Mamelodi.

The Rustenburg Village welcomes Princess Takamado of Japan on the 24th of June, who is honouring the “2006 World Cup Village” in the run-up to the match between Japan and Denmark, alongside high-ranking political representatives from South Africa and Japan. More visits by national teams are being planned at the moment.

OPPORTUNITY

This presents an excellent opportunity for SOS to get the word out about their cause. At the previous World Cup in 2006 which took place in Germany, SOS acted as the social partner to FIFA and was able to raise funds in excess of 20 million Euros for the ’6 Villages in 2006′ campaign. 800 children benefited with 6 new villages while thousands others benefited from the schools, nurseries and Family Strengthening Programmes the funding supported. Ten years’ running costs was also procured.

In South Africa today, children need help more than ever with HIV/AIDS infection rates on the rise in children under 15. Children’s villages is hoping to raise funds to create more spaces for orphaned or abandoned children. Hopefully, the FIFA social partnership will help bring attention to the serious issues that the children of South Africa will continue to face, even after the celebrations have finished.