GPA’s UNICEF Ireland Ambassadors Canning and Earley head for Swaziland

October 31, 2011

GPA UNICEF Ireland Ambassadors Joe Canning and Dermot Earley departed today on the long journey to Swaziland as part of an Irish delegation visiting the charity’s operations on the ground in the small South African country.
The two GAA stars, appointed GPA UNICEF Ireland ambassadors last year, will spend three days in Swaziland visiting UNICEF programmes and meeting UNICEF staff to see the work being carried out in a country crippled by poverty and ravaged by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Canning and Earley will visit a rural health clinic, a children’s hospital and a neighbourhood community care point on where the focus will be on child survival issues and caring for children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
The delegation will also spend time at a secondary school where they will learn how children are being taught life skills through sport. Joe and Dermot will also take part in a young people’s radio programme where children are given a chance to talk about problems and issues that affect them with each other as part of a peer-to-peer education initiative.
Speaking about the trip, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: “When Joe and Dermot were approached about supporting UNICEF Ireland, a dedicated charity partner of the GPA, they didn’t hesitate and this visit is the next step in their role as ambassadors. Both players will now gain a real understanding of the essential work being carried out by UNICEF in countries like Swaziland and the extraordinary challenges faced by the children there.
“The GPA is delighted and honoured to be involved in supporting this visit and we wish everyone involved the very best of luck with the trip. We look forward to hearing the reports from the two players when they return and hope that we can build on the experience.”