UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and soccer legend David Beckham says he was proud to see his UNICEF Fund helping children in Papua New Guinea.
The world-famous ex-soccer star visited Mt Hagen Hospital, a UNICEF-supported hospital in PNG, and met children receiving treatment for malnutrition.
Earlier this year Beckham launched ‘7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund’, making a personal commitment to use his voice, influence and connections to raise vital funds and rally for lasting change for children.
The Fund is helping UNICEF to deliver life-changing programmes for children across every region of the world, including those affected by malnutrition in PNG.
Beckham stated in a media release by UNICEF that he felt very proud to see for the first time how the money raised is helping to keep children healthy and safe, by providing live-saving therapeutic food for children suffering from malnutrition.
National statistics show that 1 child in 13 in PNG dies before they reach their fifth birthday, with malnutrition the underlying cause for the majority of under-five deaths in the country.
“I believe that all children should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“It’s incredible to see the lengths UNICEF will go to in order to protect the most vulnerable and hardest to reach children,” Beckham said.
Beckham was in Mt Hagen this week for only 24 hours where he filmed part of a 90-minute documentary “David Beckham: For the Love of the Game,” which has been commissioned by the BBC.
The film will see Beckham play soccer with local people and learn about their lives in seven continents.
Picture by UNICEF PNG