58°
To show his support, the internationally renowned soccer player for Real Madrid posted to his social media channels a selfie with his 5-year-old son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., holding a photo of very special soccer-loving Syrian refugee boy, named Ayman (who name was changed for his protection).
Born when the Syrian war began, life in a war zone took a devastating toll on Ayman, so much so that he did not speak – ever. His family fled to the border of Jordan, where they joined tens of thousands of Syrian families in the Za’atari refugee camp. Help finally came when Ayman’s parents enrolled him in one of Save the Children-supported kindergartens, called Little Hands.
There, he began to speak – through the help of a caring teacher, his supportive parents and a love of soccer that blossomed. Play such as soccer is important for a child’s development. It teaches children essential skills like how to count, how to solve problems and how to get along with others.
“With a young son of his own, Cristiano Ronaldo understands how vulnerable children are at that age,” said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children. “With Ronaldo’s help, we can keep the focus on the children of the Syrian war, many of whom have known nothing but war their entire life.After five years of this conflict, we don’t want the world to forget the children – they shouldn’t have to pay the price for the world’s inaction."
Ronaldo’s selfie comes on the heels of Save the Children’s new report “Childhood Under Siege,” which was recently released on the five-year mark of the war in Syria on Tuesday, March 15. The report estimates that more than 250,000 children have been in constant fear for their lives for many months in Syria's besieged areas.
Click here for more information regarding Save The Children.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Fairfield and receive free news updates.
