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The club launched the social media initiative on June 30, working initially with Telefono Azzurro in Italy and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States.
Photos and details of missing children were featured in the social media announcements of the club’s new signings, with two videos released for each player – one featuring four missing children from America and the other, three missing children from Italy.
The first four videos released generated over two million video views – injecting new impetus into the search for the featured children and delivering invaluable visibility and awareness about the work the charities do every day.
Last week, the club announced that Missing People, a charity based in England, had joined the campaign and there will now be a UK version of a future announcement video, featuring four missing British children.
Now, with the news that Missing Child Kenya and Sosdesaparecidos in Spain are partnering with Roma on the project, the club will be able to widen the search for missing children to new countries – which was always the aim of the project.
“From our association, Sosdesaparecidos, we would like to thank the Associazione Sportiva Roma for their solidarity campaign in favour of our young missing people,” said Joaquin Amills, president of Asociación Sosdesaparecidos.
“Creating engagement and broadcasting, together with reporting and training, are key elements to keep advancing the cause of all missing persons, the kids, teenagers, adults and elderly, that need to be located and whose families deserve to learn the truth, no matter how painful.
“Solidarity is a universal value that brings us together as human beings in face of the suffering and the fight for hope, joining efforts for a better world.
“We would like to congratulate Asociazione Sportiva Roma, their directive board, players and fans for taking their SOLIDARITY beyond the football field, because their voice and image will be reaching millions of hearts, creating a broadcasting chain for our missing that will relieve and give strength to their families.
"We are certain that this campaign will spread hope, unity, solidarity, and courage and will help deliver a strong message to the families: ‘YOU ARE NOT ALONE!’”
News of Missing Child Kenya becoming the club’s first African partner was well received on social media – generating massive media awareness for the charity based in Nairobi.
“It takes a village to raise a child is an African proverb that means that an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment,” said Maryana Munyendo, executive director of Missing Child Kenya.
“Through this partnership with AS Roma, communities come together through sport and we break down barriers of geographical location, race, economic backgrounds, age and gender to come together and help reunite missing children with their families. AS Roma has a big following in Kenya and Africa and their goal was to help missing kids globally. Missing Child Kenya is proud to be the first African partner in this noble cause.
“The goal of Missing Child Kenya is to boost search efforts for missing children by sharing photo posters and alerts to as broad an audience and in the fastest of time as possible and most importantly at no cost to the affected families.
“Whether you are a concerned adult or a child, you can dial the toll free number in Kenya 0800 22 33 44 to access our services. We not only respond to the emergency needs of missing, lost and found and displaced children but also link them to services for their short and long-term care and rehabilitation.”
Follow Missing Child Kenya on Twitter.
Follow Sosdesaparecidos on Twitter.
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