World Orphan Week “kick off” at White Hart Lane!

World Orphan Week will be officially kicked off at White Hart Lane on Sunday 8 February 2009 when long-term SOS supporters Tottenham Hotspur FC play Arsenal in the North London Derby.

Amongst a wide range of fundraising initiatives, the Club are inviting fans attending the match to dress up or wear something outrageous. The three most elaborately dressed supporters at the game will be selected by the Club’s WOW crowd spotters and will be invited pitch-side to be in with a chance of winning an exclusive prize!

In 2007, the Club announced a four-year partnership with SOS Children, and over the past year and been working on a number of initiatives to support projects in South Africa. The focus of the Club's support has been the funding of a family home in the SOS Children’s Village in Rustenburg. The Club provide ongoing support to the family and recently provided them with a new Computer and digital camera.

The 'Spurs House', which is uniquely funded by monies received from player’s fines, now provides five orphaned children in Rustenburg with a family they can call their own.

The ‘Spurs’ Family

Here, Daniel, who lives in the 'Spurs House' with his three younger brothers Lionel (14), Isaac (10), Lesego (5), sister Nthabiseng (15) and mother Patricia, tells us a bit about his life at the SOS Children’s Village:

“My name is I Daniel. I was born on the 23 April 1993 and am 15 years old. I moved to SOS Children's Village Rustenburg in September 2006. Here at the Village I really feel at home and I have everything I want and need.

My SOS mother is great. She treats us all equal and is so blessed with lots of love from God. She really loves us. I attend school at Thabiso Middle School and I am in Grade Nine. My favourite subjects are English, Mathematics, Arts and Culture.

Sometimes in my spare time I read my note books, go to church, practice my hip-hop moves, and sing rap music. I am an athlete and I have won medals in school and the community. I like cricket and basketball. I don’t know how to play soccer but I like to watch it on TV. My favourite Tottenham Hotspur player is Michael Dawson.

When going out on trips I like taking my digital camera with me so I can take pictures of the things that interest me. I have lots of pictures of my friends and family which I have downloaded all into my computer. The best thing about my computer is that I like to listen to music, play games and type my stuff.

When I grow up I want to be a Mechanical Engineer and build a sweet home for my two little brothers, Lionel and Isaac, and stay with them.”

Read more about SOS Children's partnership with Tottenham Hotspur FC