The Brisbane Roar colours will soon be flying proudly in the small African nation of Uganda after the club donated football equipment to the charity organisation Mater Mission.
Aiming to ‘help those who are unable to help themselves-, the Mater Mission sends a yearly care package to a destination where the community is in desperate need of assistance.
This year the Mater Mission is sending a shipping container of goods to a hospital and orphanage in Entebbe, Uganda.
Adding over hundred footballs, 20 sets of training outfits and 50 backpacks to the Mater Mission-s wish-list, the Roar were quick to lend its support to the worthy cause.
“This gift will be going towards a group of children who have started a soccer competition … 10 teams from a very poor area,” Mater Mission-s Graham Carter said.
“And these kids have nothing, they-ll run around playing football in bare feet and skins basically.
“So this will give them a bit of joy in an otherwise very poor and sad life.
“It will be like Christmas for them over there.”
Carter said the donated equipment would win the club many fans in a country where football reigns supreme.
“African children are absolute fanatics when it comes to soccer … they love the game,” Carter said.
“They can name you all the players in the English premier league
“But I think there now might be a couple of Aussie teams they get excited by, particularly one here in Brisbane.”
One of the Roar-s rising superstars, Isaka Cernak, was on hand to present Carter and fellow Mater employee-s Fiona McDonald, Sally McCray and Sister Michaeleen the equipment.
Descending from Ugandan background on his father-s side, Cernak said the chance to help those in need was an opportunity he was delighted to partake.
“It-s really great to be in a position to help,” he said.
“Especially where I-m from, soccer is a cool part of the community because everybody plays.
“It means a lot for me and I-m all for it.”
Carter said the support from organisation such as the Roar ‘made a really big difference- in helping people from developing nations around the world.
The Mater Mission-s shipping container, including medical equipment and general aid, will leave in late March.
