Commitment to the poorest of the poor:
Dunga to play in Samba Soccer Charity game
There is no question of Carlos Dunga, captain of Brazil for the 1994 and 1998 world cups, not being
there at Leipzig's Central Stadium on 6 September for the Samba Soccer Charity game. For years the
World Cup winner in 1994 and finalist in 1998 has been committed to helping the poorest of the poor.
"How can we talk about misery, here in a world of air-conditioned offices? You have to go out to the
Favelas to see where the biggest problems are", says Dunga with conviction. The footballer has
already shown the way to the local politicians in Porto Alegra, his home town. Since retiring, he has
set up an aid project for children in the slums there, Esporte Clube Cidadao. "I've been given so much
in my life", says Dunga, "it's about time to give something back".
At the moment, some 500 children from the Favelas aged between 6 and 17 are looked after everyday
for five hours each. "With these children we had to start from scratch", remembers Dunga, "first of all
they had to learn the basics of hygiene and simple manners". The facility comprises the "Restinga
Olympic Village", a village with numerous sporting opportunities. There, children get help from
doctors, social workers and educators who likewise come from the Favelas. The aim is to give these
children a refuge, where they can escape the spiral of crime, drugs and violence. "Religion plays no
role in our child aid programme, the most important thing is that everyone should have a right to a
bearable life," Dunga adds.
He is especially happy that the Samba Soccer Charity game against German World and European Cup
stars will also benefit his own country. Since, as part of the "6 Villages for 2006" campaign, profits
from the game and money collected right up to the final whistle of the 2006 World Cup final will go
towards six new SOS Children's Villages in Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, Ukraine, Vietnam as well
as Brazil. Of course, both teams will be waiving their fees for appearing.
S O S - K i n d e r d o r f I nt e r n a t i o n al
H e r ma n n - G me i ne r - S t r . 5 1 , 6 0 2 1 I n n s br u c k , A us t r i a
Phone: +43/512/3310-0
Facsimile: +43/512/3310-27
www.sos-childrensvillages.org