German soccer star Lahm during his visit to the SOS Children's Village Imst (Austria) this year - Photo: W. Kehl
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The SOS Children's Village Ennerdale is brushing up its ball skills in preparation of a much anticipated visit from three international sporting heroes. A first for the village, the residents will spend on 10 June with soccer icons who are in South Africa as part of FIFA vested interest in the work of the SOS Children's Villages and to raise more awareness ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
English football player, Owen Hargreaves, Piotr Trochovsky from Germany, as well as Philipp Lahm, a German shooting star and FIFA/SOS ambassador, will be sharing some of their ball tactics which have made them the superstars of today. They are expected to arrive at 13h00 and will dedicate their Sunday afternoon to the children, giving them a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with their heroes.
Under the proud and watchful eyes of their house mothers, the youth will demonstrate their sporting talents, taking on the professionals in a friendly game of football. Time has been allowed in this busy schedule for children to collect autographs from their heroes which will add to what is already an unforgettable experience for these children.
So impressed were the soccer stars with the work of the SOS Children's Villages, that they decided to visit the residents of this Gauteng village, which is one of eight around the country, and spend time getting to know them. The aim of this brief stopover is without doubt to uplift the children and to encourage them to reach their goals and be whatever they want to be in life. The visit by Hargreaves, Trochovsky and Lahm comes amid preparations by South Africa for the 2010 soccer world cup.
Three siblings from the SOS Children's Village Ennerdale - Photo: K. Lemon
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SOS Children's Villages has established a relationship with FIFA whereby the football association has committed itself to assisting the organisation in building more homes for disadvantaged children. According to Eugene Absolom, director of SOS Children's Villages South Africa, every moment that the youth spend with their heroes is cherished. "The children are in enormous need of support from caring individuals and a little done by an individual goes a long way towards improving their lives," he adds.