Kenya: Local Pro Footballers Unite for Charity

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Grace Kerongo

21 June 2011

Four top Kenyan professional football players spent their Wednesday afternoon with orphans of the WEMA home and played a charity football match with them.

Auxere striker Dennis Oliech, Trinec FC striker Patrick Oboya, Mathare United Austin Makacha and captain Anthony Kimani, attended the event that was part of the worldwide celebration of the African Child.

The top sports stars joined Radio Africa’s Maina Kageni, Ghost Mulee and Michelle Katami in the charity visit. The afternoon was spent playing a seven aside football match. The first team was comprised of the pro footballers headed by Ghost under the banner Harambe Stars and the other team was made up of children from the Wema team headed by the Classic 105 breakfast presenter Maina. The presenter has supported the home for the last three years and this was his first visit to the home. The Wema team won 3 – 1 in a game well played.

Patrick who is now based in the Czech Republic said, “The experience was good and the highlight of the day was seeing them play with us and even beat us.” Maina added, “This is such a great experience been here with these amazing kids. This was my time well spend. You know kids are the future for these country yet they are the same children who suffer so much in life. It is upon us, It is upon you and I to help these children to eat, dress, sleep, go to school and grow up like a normal child. And I am happy my team beat Harambee Stars, there is talent as Ghost observed.”

The visiting stars donated foodstuff, books and clothes to the home run by founder Wasilwa Lusweti and Mathea Helena Van Der Kolk. Speaking to Word Is, Dennis said, “This is to ensure these children have food in their stomach each morning, lunch time and supper. We promise to keep close to this initiative to keep a smile on the kids faces.”

Mathare United Captain, Anthony in turn shared, “I was excited to be part of it. After all, the children did not choose to be born where they were and lending a supporting hand to them was fulfilling,” he continued: “Since we grew up in the same background, the cause is befitting as we also want to help them grow up as future leaders.”

Ghost was thankful to the pro footballers for “finding time to spend valuable time with the children,” stressing, “let us not make this the first and final visit, if you have something to donate always drop by and put a smile in the children’s faces.”

Also joining in the noble initiative were Jacktone Ojera and Samantha Rukandema who donated foodstuff to the center.

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