Moldova dedicate England game to children with disabilities

Using the opportunity of the football game between Moldova and England on September 7 in Chisinau, UNICEF, in partnership with the Moldovan Football Federation, the Ministry of Education and the UK Embassy, has started a social campaign going under the slogan “I Know I Can” which promotes the inclusion of children with disabilities in society. The campaign includes a number of awareness raising activities, among which a video spot featuring Moldova manager Ion Caras, the dissemination of leaflets during the game, and the promotion of the campaign's message in the media. Beside Ion Caras, the video spot features Irina, a little girl with the Down syndrome who loves football and knows how to kick a ball. She impresses manager Caras and he decides to invite her to be part of his team, being most certain that only together they can win. “I am sure we will win this game because we dedicate it to a noble cause, to the children with disabilities. All the members of the national team and I believe that these children are no different from others. We don't want them to be isolated in residential institutions or confined to their homes; we want them to be among us, participating actively in the day-to-day life. The can do this”, said Ion Caras. According to UNICEF, children with disabilities are among the most stigmatized and excluded children in the world. In Moldova, for example, one in five Moldovans thinks that children with disabilities should be placed in special institutions, and less than a half of parents would let their children play with children with disabilities. “We all have our flaws. They make us special. But it is important to accept this and focus on abilities rather than on flaws”, said Alexandra Yuster, UNICEF Representative in Moldova.