One of the fastest people on four wheels decided to get off the track a little bit on Wednesday and visit the victims of the war; wrote the Associated Press sixteen years ago when Michael Schumacher visited the BiH capital.
Health condition of Michael Schumacher, a seven-time champion of Formula 1, will remain private information, stated his manager Sabine Kehm nearly three years after his accident in the French ski resort Maribel.
Sixteen years ago, Schumacher visited a hospital in Sarajevo and delighted one little fan, nine-year-old Damir Vatreš, who lost an eye and forearm in a mine explosion.
Schumacher’s visit was a part of UNESCO’s project of raising money for a specialized hospital with Sarajevo children who were victims of bombing and mines. The German driver then stated how he saw “a lot of hope in people who wanted to go back to normal life”.
As a special ambassador of UNESCO, Schumacher donated 1.5 million EUR for the construction of schools for the poor children of Dakar and reconstruction of the Baraka neighborhood. In Peru, he sponsored the “Palace for the poor”, a center for assistance to homeless children in education, clothes, food and medical supplies.
Why did you choose to help children and youth?
Schumacher: Because I do not think they are given enough opportunities as adults are, who have some education and know how to deal with the world. They are so young, so small, they are inexperienced and cannot cope with problems all by themselves.
You donated 1.5 million EUR for projects in Senegal, Sarajevo, and Peru. Why these countries?
Schumacher: UNESCO informed me about their situation and projects seemed good.
Have you donated money to other institutions that help children?
Schumacher: I occasionally donate money for smaller projects, but the major ones are those developed in cooperation with UNESCO. I think consistency is good.
Have you visited the projects you sponsored?
Schumacher: I was in Sarajevo, but I haven’t been to Senegal and Peru yet. Those projects were just launched. I have a busy life so it is not easy to fit it all in.
(Source: radiosarajevo.ba)
