Post by missunited on Jul 18, 2006 5:04:36 GMT
Fergie leads United on hospital trip
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson led a Manchester United delegation on a harrowing visit to the Tygerberg Children's Hospital in Cape Town
The visit was arranged through United's global charity partner UNICEF and was designed to bring attention to the plight of children within the Western Cape.
Ferguson, and players including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ryan Giggs sat through an explicit 10-minute video at the centre which showed graphic illustrations of children, some little more than babies, who had suffered extreme physical abuse, brutal rape and acute malnourishment.
Although it is generally regarded as a first-world country, South Africa has acute health and domestic violence problems.
Hospital chief executive Terence Carter blames the problems on the acute lack of self-worth and dehumanising nature of the apartheid era.
Over 100,000 infants in the country are infected with HIV every year, 90% of whom die before they reach the age of four.
It is estimated 60,000 children under the age of four die each year, with 350,000 reported cases of domestic violence and 22,000 rapes of children below 14, most carried out by a close family member, whilst the number of foetal alcoholics in South Africa is 40 times greater than that of the United Kingdom or the United States.
After watching the video and listening to a series of speeches, the United contingent were individually paired up with a child at the hospital, which specialises in providing not just treatment for injuries but also psychosocial counselling for the children aimed at education and empowerment.
The visit, which lasted well over an hour, ended with a small stage show and an impromptu kickabout in the adjacent Disa Hall.
"As a dad, I know how much I worry about my children and what I would do for them," said Solskjaer, a UNICEF ambassador.
"You look at the pictures and think 'how can people do such things?'.
"It is easy to ignore it and pretend it doesn't happen but someone has to stand up for these kids and show them you care.
"They are great children and they deserve a chance just like I had. If, as a footballer, I can do something to help, it is my duty to do so."
www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_1346552,00.html
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We all know of United's strong bond with UNICEF, but it's nice to see that they're taking time out in their pre season to show that they do care. I for one think this is yet another reason to be incredibly proud of our club and our players.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson led a Manchester United delegation on a harrowing visit to the Tygerberg Children's Hospital in Cape Town
The visit was arranged through United's global charity partner UNICEF and was designed to bring attention to the plight of children within the Western Cape.
Ferguson, and players including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ryan Giggs sat through an explicit 10-minute video at the centre which showed graphic illustrations of children, some little more than babies, who had suffered extreme physical abuse, brutal rape and acute malnourishment.
Although it is generally regarded as a first-world country, South Africa has acute health and domestic violence problems.
Hospital chief executive Terence Carter blames the problems on the acute lack of self-worth and dehumanising nature of the apartheid era.
Over 100,000 infants in the country are infected with HIV every year, 90% of whom die before they reach the age of four.
It is estimated 60,000 children under the age of four die each year, with 350,000 reported cases of domestic violence and 22,000 rapes of children below 14, most carried out by a close family member, whilst the number of foetal alcoholics in South Africa is 40 times greater than that of the United Kingdom or the United States.
After watching the video and listening to a series of speeches, the United contingent were individually paired up with a child at the hospital, which specialises in providing not just treatment for injuries but also psychosocial counselling for the children aimed at education and empowerment.
The visit, which lasted well over an hour, ended with a small stage show and an impromptu kickabout in the adjacent Disa Hall.
"As a dad, I know how much I worry about my children and what I would do for them," said Solskjaer, a UNICEF ambassador.
"You look at the pictures and think 'how can people do such things?'.
"It is easy to ignore it and pretend it doesn't happen but someone has to stand up for these kids and show them you care.
"They are great children and they deserve a chance just like I had. If, as a footballer, I can do something to help, it is my duty to do so."
www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1778_1346552,00.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We all know of United's strong bond with UNICEF, but it's nice to see that they're taking time out in their pre season to show that they do care. I for one think this is yet another reason to be incredibly proud of our club and our players.
