UK AID MATCH

From 2018 to 2020, donations to Soccer Aid for UNICEF were matched by the UK Government. Meet some of the families and communities who are still seeing the life-changing impact of the funding:

CLEAN WATER AND A SPACE TO UNWIND FOR CHILDREN IN MALAWI:

In Malawi, UNICEF is working with the government, local organisations, and communities to make communities safe, inclusive, and resilient, particularly for women and children. This work has been supported by the UK government, which matched funds raised for Soccer Aid for UNICEF in 2019.

A cornerstone of this empowering work in Malawi are the Children’s Corners. And right at the heart of making sure every child can grow up safe, healthy, and able to play are innovations like the solar-powered supply of safe water. Read here about the children and community volunteers of one rural village in Blantyre district in southern Malawi, who showed us how it all works.

ENHANCING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AT MPHALAS:

UNICEF is supporting the Government of Zambia to implement Mphalas, early childhood development (ECD) hubs, in the Chipata District in eastern Zambia with the support of the UK Government, who matched funds raised for Soccer Aid for UNICEF in 2019.

Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape a child’s holistic development and build a foundation for their future. Read more about Mphalas in Zambia, where multiple services come together to promote effective care for children in their early years of development here.

MEET LANDIWE AND YANDISA:

In 2019, funds raised for Soccer Aid for UNICEF were matched by the UK Government, enabling UNICEF to provide vital machines for the newly opened Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Mbabane Government Hospital in Eswatini. With this lifesaving equipment, the neonatal team can support parents like Landiwe in their hope and fight for their babies’ survival.

ONE TAP TO CHANGE A COMMUNITY:

Until last year, Steven had wake up early every day and travel long distances to fetch water from the local stream so that his family could drink and wash. “I used to miss classes due to lack of clean water” says Steven. “I was usually sickly and stricken by preventable diseases.” Steven has been going to the children’s corner in Goneko Village, Malawi, for 3 years. Here, he shows how recreational kits funded by UNICEF are helping kids in his community to learn and play.

With funds raised through Soccer Aid and the UK government, UNICEF has installed a new water tap in the village so that kids visiting the children’s corner have easy access to safe, clean water. So that they can get back to the education and the healthy childhoods they are entitled to.

NTSOAKI’S STORY:

In 2018 UK Aid Match helped to fund maternal and neonatal programmes in Lesotho, which helped Ntsoaki learn best practice skills to care for her son. She now gives back by teaching others in the community.

MEET BONSILE AND WINELE:

UK Aid Match funding from 2018 is helping to train health volunteers like Winele, so that they can empower young mothers like Bonsile with the knowledge needed to raise happy, healthy children – like her daughter, Unesu!

THE LIFE-SAVING SUPPLY CHAIN IN ACTION:

Meet Bockarie, Nurse Alice and Massah and follow the journey of vital medical supplies to children who urgently need them, made possible thanks to UK Aid Match funding from 2019.