President's letter
Born in Abidjan in 1978, I had a difficult journey before finally experiencing professional football. Today, I am lucky enough to have made a career out of my passion and to play in Chelsea, one of the greatest European teams. And now it is my turn to return the favour. I want others to have the same chance, I want underprivileged children to blossom out and to make something out of their lives.
In 2007, I have decided to create the Didier Drogba Foundation. Its first goal is to provide financial and material support in health and education to the underprivileged, especially women and children, who are often the ones who struggle the most. The children’s education is a very important matter to me, as much as their health. And to see women dying while giving birth in the 21st century is unthinkable to me but there is still too many today, particularly on the African continent.
"I hope I can help the greatest number of people"
Today, I am deeply involved in what I would call the project of my life: to build and fund a hospital in Abidjan. The first stone of this institution, a project fully supported by the Foundation, will be laid soon and the hospital will be ready before the end of 2010. We had some specific actions since 2007, providing help and funds for such structures as the Red Cross in Abidjan, Page Blanche Institution, orphanages in Grand Bassam or Madame Houphouet-Boigny’s. Our first action was to take care of a child with leukemia. We secured his move to Geneva where he is now receiving much needed specialist medical treatment.
I want to make this Foundation part of the History and to go beyond my career. I also want to internationalize the structure, so that it can be able someday to provide help all around the world. Until then, I hope I can help the greatest number of people and give back to the African continent. And if you want to support the Foundation, you are gladly welcomed.
Yours sincerely, Didier Drogba
