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 life. 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 five.
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.
