VIDEO: Oti Mabuse shares heartwarming diary of Soccer Aid trip to Côte d'Ivoire supporting premature babies
- Returning to a neonatal care unit for the first time since her own daughter was born prematurely, Oti reflected: “Seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara brought everything home.”
Broadcaster, author and world champion dancer Oti Mabuse has travelled to Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa with UNICEF to see the life-changing work supporting mothers and their premature babies, raising awareness and vital funds ahead of Soccer Aid for UNICEF match on Sunday 15th June.
During her visit in April, Oti witnessed first-hand how the donations raised through Soccer Aid for UNICEF are helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play.
In a video diary released today, Oti shares a candid account of her experience visiting a UNICEF-funded specialist clinic in the city of Abidjan, where premature babies are receiving critical lifesaving treatment and daily care. It was an emotional moment as Oti returned to a neonatal unit for the first time since the premature birth of her daughter almost two years ago – who was born at only 7 months.
According to UNICEF, globally in 2024 an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life1. In Cote D’Ivoire, lack of access to specialised care is one of the reasons that prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five2.
But thanks to UNICEF, the specialist care unit established in 2019 has expanded this year and can now support nearly three times as many mothers. There, Oti witnessed a life-changing UNICEF programme called ‘Kangaroo Mother Care’, promoting the importance of skin-on-skin contact, they provide breastfeeding feeding support and regular check-ups until the babies are school age alongside locally made loin cloth slings, so mothers remain in close contact with their babies. ‘Kangaroo Mother Care’, where skin-on skin method used is a well-recognised care practice. Skin-on-skin has been proven to regulate body temperature, breathing and blood sugar levels and significantly boost survival rates of babies born prematurely.
Reflecting on her own experience, Oti said: “I remember the only way I could touch my child and have skin-on-skin was through this glass window – there’s no mother who wants to experience that.”
At the hospital, Oti met Ouattara, a mother whose first baby was born prematurely and needed critical care. Sadly, without access to specialised support, her baby died six days later. Thankfully, her second baby, Abdul, although born prematurely again, was rushed to the UNICEF centre where they stayed for three weeks to get the care and attention they needed. Two years later, Abdul is a healthy and happy little boy.
During her trip, Oti also visited a UNICEF-supported foster care home, where the organisation supports children providing food and ensuring they stay in education or have vocational training. There, Oti met Madame Massandje – a formidable woman who has been trained by UNICEF to identify children living on the streets and offer them safety in her own home. As a result, she currently has 15 children in her care – four girls and eleven boys aged three to fifteen.
Speaking about her inspiring trip, Oti said:
“Visiting Côte d’Ivoire with UNICEF UK showed me the first-hand impact of the importance of vital care for children and their parents – especially for those that are born prematurely. My own baby was born prematurely, so seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara brought everything home. I know how vital that care and support is in those early days. Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable.
I also met incredible foster carers like Madame Massandje, who are changing children’s lives and helping give them the start in life they deserve.
These experiences showed me the real difference donations make. That’s why I’m so proud to be part of Soccer Aid for UNICEF – to help give every child a safe, healthy start in life.”
A UNICEF appeal film of Oti Mabuse’s trip will feature during Soccer Aid for UNICEF, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 6pm on Sunday June 15.
This year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation you make to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million.
Donations can be made ahead of the match at socceraid.org.uk/donate.
ENDS
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Soccer Aid for UNICEF
- Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025 will take place on Sunday 15th June at Old Trafford, Manchester and will be shown live exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
- Since 2006, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £106 million, all supporting UNICEF’s vital work for children around the world – so they can grow up safe, healthy, and able to play.
- Right now, children around the world are facing devastating crises – from global aid cuts, conflict and climate change to hunger and disease – threatening their childhoods and their right to play.
- The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF provide life-changing support for a child, like clean water and nutrition, vital vaccinations, or the opportunity to learn, so every child can get the best start in life.
- Donate to UNICEF ahead of the match at socceraid.org.uk/donate. This year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation you make to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million.
SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF PARTNERS
About Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent philanthropic organisation headquartered in London with offices in Nairobi, New Delhi, Beijing and Addis Ababa. CIFF works with a wide range of partners seeking to transform and empower the lives of poor and vulnerable children and adolescents in developing countries, with the goal of solving seemingly intractable challenges to ensure all children and adolescents have the chance to survive and thrive. For more information, please visit www.ciff.org
UNICEF UK
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. It also promotes and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. It is a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
ITV Social Purpose
ITV’s Social Purpose is about using the power of ITV to shape culture for good, through using creativity and scale to inspire positive change in the world, and to nurture a responsible and inclusive working environment. ITV’s social purpose encompasses four priorities – better health, diversity and inclusion, climate action and giving back, all with their own measurable goals. For more information go to itvplc.com/socialpurpose
Soccer Aid Productions Limited
The multi-stakeholder project of Soccer Aid for UNICEF is run by Soccer Aid Productions, a collaboration between UNICEF UK and Triple S Events which is part of the Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group.
Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group
The Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group is a full-service sports and entertainment group operating in multiple industry sectors and countries. As a long-standing and expert agency with highly experienced personnel, it offers a range of services, including talent management, event management, commercial rights exploitation, financial & legal advice, PR consultancy, social media & digital production, contract, transfer & negotiation management and crisis management services. The Group represents some of the highest-profile sporting professionals in the UK, as well as renowned personalities in the entertainment industry. Triple S has also been responsible for some of the biggest sports entertainment TV events in the UK.