Sadio Mane, the Senegalese striker who plays for Liverpool Football Club has returned to his hometown- Bambali, Senegal to lift members of his family and community from poverty to wealth after having a successful career abroad.
Sadio Mane who is one of the leading footballers in the world rose to stardom with the help of his community and took it upon himself to support them through philanthropism and sponsorships.
The 30-year-old footballer has always kept in touch with members of his community – about 2,000 people, despite being a star, many describe his attitude as exceptional noting that most stars do not look back to their origins once they become comfortable.
In a recent gesture by Sadio Mane, he took part in a local game alongside El Hadji Diouf and Papiss Cisse. He has donated a huge amount of money to develop his town, some of which include the sum of £500,000 for a new hospital.
In April 2018, he donated over £200,000 so that the next generation of 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren in Bambali have a new secondary school to give them an opportunity to prosper in life.
Unlike many others, Sadio Mane had always maintained that he is supporting his community, not for the sake of publicity. When The Telegraph spoke to him about building a school for the younger generation, he requested the topic should be left out of the interview, saying: “I do not do this for publicity.”
In his latest visit to his hometown, Sadio Mane visited the £455,000 hospital he financed last year, which serves 34 villages in the surrounding area.
He also inaugurated a new fuel station in his community and has already pledged funds to build a post office that will serve the villages.
The footballer has also provided each family in the village with a monthly €70 support package and offered €400 to the best-achieving students at Bambali High School.
He has provided necessary technological facilities to the school including Laptops, free sportswear as well as the installation of a 4G internet service to serve the entire community.