Christian Atsu helping orphans back home in Ghana to give them a better life in touching act of charity
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FROM the Gallowgate to Ghana, Christian Atsu is putting a smile on many faces.
The on-loan Chelsea winger has thrilled his new fans on Tyneside with his part in Newcastle’s table-topping start to the season.
But back in his homeland he is making an even greater impression - helping to house orphans through his selfless charity work.
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The Toon star, 24, knows first-hand how growing up in Ghana is tough - he says his own family had “very little money and very little food”.
But he feels fortunate to have had the support of his parents and gone on to make it as a professional footballer.
And that is why he is so desperate to give back to his countrymen who have been less lucky in their early life, through his role as global ambassador of Arms Around the Child.
The British charity currently supports six orphanage sites, including one in Ghana’s Senya-Beraku, which Atsu visited in the summer and recently organised for a load of Newcastle kit to be sent to.
Without any aid, many of the 50 orphaned kids housed here would have found themselves trafficked and sold as slaves.
And Atsu, 24, admitted: “Thanks to the work of the charity, these children go to school and have clean water and food.
“I am very happy to help because I know they really need me in this kind of situation.
“I want to help them and also to inspire them. I want to make them smile. They are always excited to see me.”
Indeed, Atsu now gets the kind of hero’s reception previously reserved for past Ghanaian greats like Tony Yeboah, a legend of today’s opponents Leeds, who also used to raise money for orphans.
But Atsu gets just as much enjoyment in visiting the kids as they do in meeting him - these trips are not a chore.
And he admits how he turns into the giddy bare-footed street-footballer of his childhood each time he returns.
Atsu grew up in Ada Foah, 70 miles up the coast from the country’s capital Accra, and used to spend his every spare hour kicking a ball about without boots.
In fact, if he had it his way, he would probably run out at Elland Road today with nothing on his feet.
Atsu smiled: “When I was young, we played on the streets with our bare feet every time.
“Always and always I was out playing football because I loved the game.
“I remember my first football boots really well - they were Puma.
“When I started to play with boots it was when I joined my first team, Accra Under-12s, because when you are at a club, you have to use boots to play.
“I found it difficult to play with them! It was much more difficult than bare feet.
“I got used to it over time but even when I went to Ghana’s Feyenoord Academy, there were people playing who couldn’t play with their boots. They would have to be trained in how to use them!
“Any time I go to Ghana now, I still play in my bare feet on the streets. I love to do it.”
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Atsu’s farmer father has passed away but the rest of his family still live in Ghana - his market-seller mum and his six brothers and four sisters.
But the pacey ace has been away from home now himself since he was aged 17 and was signed by Portuguese giants Porto.
Atsu admitted: “It was really hard when I first moved to Portugal. It was hard leaving my family and friends at that age.
“I also had to get used to the weather, the food, the people and the language."
Chelsea then came in for Atsu in 2013 - the club of his fellow Ghana star and close pal Michael Essien.
But as is the way with many of the Blues youngsters, he has lived something of a nomadic lifestyle in recent seasons.
Newcastle is his FIFTH loan move in just three years, after previous spells at Vitesse in Holland, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga in Spain.
And Atsu said: “People don’t see it like this, but it’s really difficult because every season you are having to move your things, your family to a new place, meet new people again.
“I have two children - three-months-old and three-years-old.
“I know it’s my work, but it’s difficult to be moving every time. You are not stable."
Atsu, then, would clearly like a place to call home again.
It looks unlikely to be Stamford Bridge, given he is yet to make any senior appearance for them since his £3.5million arrival three years ago.
So could Atsu see himself working under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle for the long haul?
He has actually made just three Championship starts so far this season but has scored twice - a wondergoal at Rotherham and the opener against Cardiff last time out.
And Atsu added: “I cannot predict the future. All I have to do is work hard and have a good season, and then after the season we will see what happens.
“So far I am very happy here. I have settled really well with my team-mates, in the city and with the fans.
“The manager has been very important for me. He has helped me on and off the pitch.
“He has really given me a lot of confidence. I have seen a great change in my game with him.
“I am getting fitter because of the way we train. Also with injuries, I am getting better because the load of the training is always measured for each and every player.
“Rotation is good for the team. My job is just to work hard on the pitch and then he decides everything.
“Any minutes I get, I have to give my best, that’s all.”
Christian Atsu was visiting Newcastle United Foundation's Soccer School as part of an initiative in his role as ambassador for Arms Around the Child. Visit armsaroundthechild.org.