Antonio Rudiger talks about the work he is leading to make a real change in Sierra Leone and his recent trip there.
Rudiger went to Sierra Leone, the country where his mother was born, to start a new organization that would work to bring about change and make people’s lives better in this small West African country.
Rudiger’s roots are in Sierra Leone, even though he lives in England, was born in Berlin, and plays for the German national team. His mom was born in the country, and his parents just moved back there after living in Europe and raising their kids there. He thinks it’s his duty to use his fame and success to make the world a better place.
He told us, “It was a great trip,” when he got back to Cobham. “This is my second trip to the country. This time was a little more stressful because I had to start the fund and meet the president in a few days.
Because this is important to me, I’ve wanted to do it for a while. When I heard we were going to have a week off, I started making plans. I had to go back to Sierra Leone because I hadn’t seen my mother in years and my parents moved back here four years ago.
Some of Rudiger’s charity foundation’s big goals are to improve education, infrastructure, and sports for everyone, as well as to boost literacy and education in the country. has eight million people living in it.
Even though the country has become much wealthier over the past ten years, the poverty rate is still 43%, according to the most recent report from the World Bank, an international development group.
Rudiger says, “The foundation’s only goal is to help poor people get ahead in the future.” To connect with people, it was important for me to do this in Sierra Leone.
“This isn’t a one-man show.” People and groups that I want to work with so that we can all work together to make the future better for young people.He gave more than $100,000 to Sierra Leone’s Free Quality Education program in the beginning of 2020. This helps more than two million kids in primary and secondary schools. Recently, he paid for 11 kids with foot problems to do things that would change their lives. The 28-year-old also went to see the Sierra Leone Amputee football team while on the trip.
He went on, “It’s part of our focus on sports inclusivity.” “These guys are just as crazy about football as I am, but they’ve been hurt pretty badly.”
“I don’t want these people to fall behind in society.” I also want people to notice them, so let’s include them and pay attention to what they have to say. Men and women are the same way. I want everyone to be the same.
As the Africa Cup of Nations nears its end, African sports are getting more attention. Most recently, Edouard Mendy’s Senegal secured their spot in Sunday’s final. Sierra Leone is in the event for the first time since 1996. They wanted to show the world how strong and good they are, even though they didn’t make it to the round of 16.
Rudiger also wants to keep pushing the goal for Sierra Leone. His job as football ambassador for the country is meant to help the country become even more famous on the world stage. On a more personal level, though, what matters most is making chances, hopes, and dreams come true.
“The boys should be praised a lot because they worked very hard to make it for the first time in 25 years,” Rudiger said.
You only hear about Sierra Leone through the civil war or the Ebola virus. This helps show the country in a different way. It was nice to see us in a different way because most of what they said was bad.
As you might expect, being praised by the president is one of the best things that can happen to you, so I’m truly grateful and proud. Everything about my welcome was so nice, which I didn’t expect at all.