11 children get lucky with MTN

Jun 30, 2009

Eleven lucky children discovered that it pays to have good talent at the climax of MTN Uganda’s soccer clinics, courtesy of Proline Academy.

By Jude Katende

Eleven lucky children discovered that it pays to have good talent at the climax of MTN Uganda’s soccer clinics, courtesy of Proline Academy.

The event marked the end of MTN’s corporate social responsibility campaign dubbed 21 days of Y’ello Care. Held annually, the employees dedicate a portion of their salaries to community projects.

MTN will pay the 11 children’s fees, feeding and medical care for two years or the time they will spend in the academy. They will join 18 others already in the academy. The soccer clinics were spread over three weeks in Kampala and ended at Lugogo’s Kampala Soccer Club grounds.

The choice of the soccer academy was in respect to the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup which the company sponsors.

Proline Academy boss, Mujib Kasule said the academy releases children aged 18 or 19 and either loans them out to clubs or helps them secure professional careers abroad. Kasule said there is one being sent to South Africa soon while two are going to Norway for trials.

About the numbers in the clinics, he said: “We initially targeted 100 children but the turn up was over 200. There is a lot of talent here but we cannot take on everybody. We would like to see other companies come up and help.”

This year, staff plan to plant 21,000 trees and use MTN Mobile Money to raise funds to buy bed nets for mosquito prevention.

As an incentive, each staff operation stands a chance to win the 21 Days of Y’ello Care Group President & CEO prize of $100,000 (sh200m) for the most sustainable community project and optimal staff participation.

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