David Beckham for UNICEF

Soccer star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham recently completed a visit to Sierra Leone, where he traveled with UNICEF representatives to focus attention on the issue of child survival.

“We can’t turn a blind eye to the tens of thousands of young children who die every day in the developing world mostly from causes that are preventable,” Becks said.

The father-of-three took the time to play soccer with local children and gave them autographed soccer balls.

Added David, “In Sierra Leone, one in four children dies before reaching their fifth birthday. It’s shocking and tragic, especially when the solutions are simple – things like vaccinations against measles or using a mosquito net to reduce the chance of getting malaria. Saving these children’s lives is a top priority for UNICEF and as an ambassador I hope I can help to draw attention to this issue across the world.”

On one point, David met with Foday, a five-year-old boy who had swallowed a chemical that scarred his throat so severely that he was prevented from eating solid food for months. Foday held Beckham‘s hand and joined him on a walk through the facility.

“Surely there is no reward more precious than saving the life of a child?” Beckham said. “Their futures remain in our hands.”

15+ pictures inside of David Beckham volunteering his time for UNICEF…