Kerime John-Sankoh reports on the Cole family’s charitable work
‘I came to Britain to give opportunities to my kids that I never had, so they could be successful and not have to struggle.’ Selena Cole left war-torn Sierra Leone to improve her children’s life chances. Now she has set up a charity, the Carlakka Foundation, to benefit children in Africa.
Selena’s son Carlton Cole might not agree that he has got to the top without a struggle, but his record of Premier League success confirms that his mother made a smart move in coming to Britain. The ex-Chelsea and now West Ham striker leads a group of second generation African players making a strong showing in English football.
Selena Cole’s Carlakka Foundation is already building a school in Sierra Leone, and has recently teamed up with the Ndoro Children’s Charity to construct another school in Zimbabwe. Carlton Cole has agreed to be the public face of the Foundation’s work. ‘It is close to my Mum’s heart,’ he explained, ‘and I will do anything to make my Mum happy. We see how the African children live and I have to try and help as much as I can over there and over here. It is a great cause and I have people there to support me and I know West Ham will too.’