Tottenham Hotspur family house officially open!
15/10/2008
September 24 2008 marked the official opening of the Tottenham Hotspur House in SOS Children’s Village Rustenburg, South Africa.
In 2007, the Club announced a four-year international charity partnership with SOS Children and over the past year have been working with us on a number of initiatives to support our work in South Africa.
The Tottenham Hotspur House, which is uniquely and completely funded by monies received from players' fines, is now home to SOS mum Patricia and her sons: Daniel (15) and his natural brother Lionel (13); Isaac (9) and Lesego (4).
Daniel is a keen athlete and enjoys breakdancing and listening to hip-hop. Lionel loves playing soccer with his brothers and his favourite team are the South African team the ‘Kaizer Chiefs’. Issac and Lesego enjoy school and being active! All boys attend the local community Primary and Secondary School.
Donna Cullen, Executive Director says “Tottenham Hotspur has established a strong relationship with SOS Children’s Villages, the Club’s nominated international charity. Funds generated by the Club have been used to build and maintain a family home for orphans in Rustenburg South Africa, and we continue to support the Village at every opportunity. We have a long term commitment to SOS Children’s Villages and we are proud of the work we do.”
We will keep you updated on the progress and developments of the Tottenham Hotspur House and family throughout the year.
SOS Children’s Village Rustenburg
Rustenburg is situated in the North West Province of South Africa, in an area with high numbers of orphans and vulnerable children and a high HIV/AIDS prevalence. The region lacks adequate facilities for long-term child care.
The SOS Children's Village Rustenburg comprises of ten family houses to take in up to 100 children, an administration and service area, a Village Director's house and a house for the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave). The Village is growing rapidly. Since January 2008, the Village has welcomed nine more children: 4 girls (one 18 year-old, two 10 year-olds and one 7 year-old) and 5 boys (two 13 year olds, one 7 year-old and one 2 year-old). This brings the total number of children into the Village to 44.
All of the new children are bonding well with their new mothers and families and the Village continues to provide constant training for the SOS Mothers so they can manage the demands of motherhood and working with children who may have special needs. With cooperation and assistance from the local Department of Social Development, the Village expects to welcome in more children in the coming year.
SOS Children in South Africa
SOS Children started working in South Africa in 1979, supporting abandoned and orphaned children. The first SOS Children's Village, Ennerdale, 30 km south of Johannesburg, was established in 1982.
Currently, there are there are eight SOS Children's Villages, six SOS Youth Homes, seven SOS Nurseries, one SOS School, one SOS Mother and Staff Training Centre and eleven SOS Social Centres in South Africa.
Like many African countries, South Africa is strongly affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. With community-based childcare & support programmes, all SOS Children's Villages in the country are attempting to provide practical assistance for children and families most affected by HIV/AIDS.
SOS Children and Tottenham Hotspur FC
Tottenham Hotspur FC continues to support us in many ways. Look out for their involvement in World Orphan Week 2009.
For more information, visit: www.tottenhamhotspur.com .
To read more about the official opening of the SOS Children’s Village Rustenburg visit: SOS Children's Village Rustenburg
Relevant Countries: South Africa.