SOS Children from Rustenburg, South Africa awarded tickets to World Cup 2010

June 2, 2010: Eight hard-working, soccer-loving children from the SOS Children's Villages in Rustenburg, South Africa, will attend a World Cup match on June 19. Thanks to the generosity of a Canadian technology company, Lixar IT, the eight kids will be able to say, "I was there."

Four of the lucky children call SOS-Rustenburg home; the other four participate in SOS's Family Strengthening Program, which helps families stay together. All were chosen for the exciting honor because of their academic and athletic accomplishments. They eagerly await the big day, when they will be in the stands watching the match between Ghana and Australia at Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

"We hope this will be a soccer dream of a lifetime for the children attending the game," said Bill Syrros, CEO of Lixar IT. Through its gift the company hopes to show all of the young people in SOS Children's Villages "that education can create opportunities and make a lasting difference" in their lives, said Syrros.

Children's Perseverance Pays Off

SOS Children from Rustenburg, South Africa, will watch Ghana vs. Australia match live at the stadium in Rustenburg

SOS children, 11 to 14 years old, were selected for soccer match tickets because of their exceptional school achievement, personal determination, and sportsmanship. "They love soccer and are so excited to be going to see a World Cup game," said SOS Social Worker Granda Fell.

"This opportunity means such a lot to us, explained Vuzimuzi, one of the four teens in SOS's Family Strengthening Program who will sit in the stands on June 19. "We are hoping Ghana will win the match because they are an African team," he said. The accomplishments of Vuzimuzi and his three peers are especially laudable because of the challenges they face just to attend school while working to support their families.

After the handover of the tickets to the children at SOS-Rustenburg, nine-member soccer teams from SOS and its Family Strengthening Program played a game to celebrate the opening of a long-awaited soccer field located behind the Village. The Britain-based bank HSBC supported the field's completion. "Just yesterday the goalposts arrived," said SOS-South Africa's Ted Taylor. "Today the children are kicking some fantastic goals into the nets."

Help Make More Dreams Come True

Soccer enthusiasm knows no bounds

SOS-Rustenburg is located in an area of South Africa's north that is plagued by high rates of HIV/AIDS. As a result, the region is full of children without parental care. Besides giving these children homes and the means to lead happy lives, SOS Children's Villages offers material and medical support to fragile families. SOS also conducts AIDS counseling and helps families become self-sufficient by teaching them small business skills.

Give a South African child a chance to succeed on the playing field of life. Sponsor an SOS child today.