Education for the Children

Shaun Wright-Phillips has continued his brilliant work as Ambassador for the Education For The Children Foundation.

The Manchester City star recently jetted off to Guatemala in his role to provide people in heart-wrenching circumstances hope for the future.
Every time Wright-Phillips visits he does some truly worthwhile work. He first sponsored Jenny, who would not have been able to continue her studies without his help.
Since then he has paid for and fitted safe stoves into some of the houses of the children the charity supports. The majority of families who cook with open fires, have no way of properly venting the thick black smoke from their homes.
There are deadly and debilitating results from constant exposure to this toxic smoke. The World Health Organisation has stated that children exposed to the open fires used for cooking in Guatemala, will develop permanent lung damage by the age of five.
The work done by Wright-Phillips and many other volunteers reduces the smoke emissions from within the houses by 99 per cent as well as providing a much safer alternative to cooking on an open fire.

This is Wright-Phillips' third visit to the school and on this occasion he was accompanied by his mother and aunt. Nevertheless he got straight into the work helping people such as Henry by digging the foundations to prevent the Guatemalan family's home from collapsing down the mountainside.
He has even got some of his footballing teammates involved in the charity. As well as getting involved in Wright-Phillips' annual Harley Davidson Bike Ride for Education for the Children, City players such as Carlos Tevez, Patrick Vieira, David Silva, Wayne Bridge, and Ashley Cole organized several activities to help Wright-Phillips' work with the Nottingham-based charity.
"They have helped me to organize dinners, poker tournaments and other events to raise the funds that have come to these children," he said.
Known for going that extra mile, Wright-Phillips persuaded Bridge to also sponsor a class after speaking to him at the airport as he was flying out to Guatemala for this visit.
Of course Wright-Phillips couldn't leave the village without a kickabout, giving the children a focus in their lives which allow them to still have their carefree days of youth.
"I feel fortunate for the talent God gave me in football, as it allows me to help many people for their future. I want to contribute to the education of these children so they can go far," said Wright-Phillips.
Wright-Phillips is not only an amazing mentor but a role model for young people both here and in Guatemala, showing why football is referred to as the beautiful game.
To get involved in the charity or make a donation please visit its website, www.eftc.org.uk