I-League side Churchill Brothers SC have announced their support for the “El Shaddai” Prevention of Child Abuse Campaign.

El Shaddai is a charity involved in rescuing children living in severe poverty and high risk situations and giving them an education, the chance of a new life and a better future. In 16 years, the charity has helped countless deprived children and poor families from various backgrounds, in and around Goa by setting up Children’s Homes, Day Care and Night Shelters, non formal and slum schools, Child Rights Advocacy and Community Centre’s.

Churchill Brothers’ Brazilian skipper Roberto “Beto” Mendes Silva headed a club delegation which took part in a rally with various children from the charity on the November 14 (Children’s Day). The rally was staged in the city of Margao and Beto flagged off the event from the Ana Fond Park, while the rally went around the Margao Municipal Garden and returned back to the Park.

“I’m glad to be part of the Prevention of Child Abuse campaign. Our team is happy to be associated with El Shaddai Charitable Trust, and would surely visit their shelters and schools to interact with the children again,” Beto stated in an official club release. “We wish the the NGO all the best in their aim to educate the underprivileged.”

“We are glad to work with NGO’s such as El Shaddai, who make a wonderful effort in providing education and a better life for so many under privileged children. We would be sending our players and coaches to interact with these children at the shelter’s and organize maybe even a friendly game of football between these children, since we believe that children should play, have fun and also study and should not be exploited for work etc,” said Valanka Alemao (CEO, Churchill Brothers SC).

“We would like to thank the Churchill Brothers Goa players for taking time out from their busy schedule and coming out here and supporting our cause,” El Shaddai’s Raju Ventatesh added.

The rally culminated with various awareness programs at the Ana Fond Park to mark the International Day for prevention of Child Abuse.

(Written with inputs from a Churchill Brothers SC Press Release)