Neo Africa helps Rishi reach for his 2010 FIFA World Cup™ dream

Twelve-year-old Rishi Jawaharlal is mad about soccer - but since contracting a life-threatening illness, he cannot participate in his favourite sport any more.

Rishi, of Erasmia in Tshwane, is battling medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumour that most commonly afflicts young children, and which has denied him the opportunity to play football.

He told the Reach for a Dream Foundation, which makes dreams come true for children aged between three and 18 who have life-threatening illnesses, that his dream is to attend the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa™ – and Neo Africa, a National Supporter of the world’s greatest footballing showpiece, has gladly stepped in.

What makes Neo Africa’s assistance extra-special is that Rishi, whose favourite team is Manchester United and favourite player Cristiano Ronaldo, has never before attended a major football match.

Neo Africa founder and CEO Vivien Natasen visited Rishi at his school, Courtney House International School in Waterkloof, to personally convey the news that Rishi, his parents Nayankumar and Varsha, and older sister Poonam will all be given tickets to attend the South Africa-Uruguay match at the Loftus Stadium on 16 June.

Not only that, they will be given the royal treatment all the way, with luxury transport to and from the game, and a full VIP experience during the match.

“I am really excited to attend the match. I cannot wait!” says Rishi.

Says Natasen, who also gave Rishi a football when they met: “Neo Africa is a group of companies whose success is founded not only on solid business principles, but also on the power of the human spirit. It strives to overcome challenges for the betterment and upliftment of the world around us, and in this sense Rishi and his dream speak volumes to us.

“We are most happy to make Rishi’s World Cup dream come true, and we hope that he and his family thoroughly enjoy themselves when they attend the match. Neo Africa would also like to wish Rishi all of the best in his fight against his illness; the Jawaharlal family are certainly in all our thoughts and prayers. ”

“A life-threatening illness can so easily rob children of the magic of their childhood,” says Yolandé le Grange, of Reach for a Dream in Tshwane. “Reach for a Dream strives to give children with such illnesses hope, laughter and, above all, fun by creating an environment for them that is not centred on their illness.

“By helping to make Rishi’s dream come true, Neo Africa is doing wonders for his wellbeing and happiness. Reach for a Dream would like to sincerely thank Neo Africa for its generosity. ”

Rishi’s parents, too, are appreciative of the opportunity for their son’s wish to be fulfilled.

“We are absolutely grateful to Neo Africa for making our son’s dream a reality, and giving him hope to pursue his dream despite his condition,” they say.