David Beckham paid an emotional visit to Swaziland this week in his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The retired football player has shared photos from his "inspiring" trip where he had the chance to bond with several youngsters who are similar in age to his own four children.
He saw how his fund, the 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund, is helping the charity support and protect HIV-positive children, as well as provide them with life-saving treatment and care.
David travelled to some of the poorest homesteads in the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions. Alongside a photo of himself and a young boy, he wrote that he had an "inspiring time".
David Beckham visited Swaziland this week with UNICEF
David also met mothers and children who are living with HIV and revealed how his fund is helping women deliver healthy HIV negative babies.
One particularly sweet photo showed the dad-of-four cradling a sweet baby. "It makes me very proud that the money that the 7 Fund provide has helped these amazing mothers to give birth to perfectly healthy HIV negative babies," he wrote.
David, 41, was also treated to a musical performance by the kids. The moment clearly touched him as he admitted he felt very "proud" to be able to make a difference.
He saw how his charity fund is helping support locals living with HIV
The philanthropist was joined by his close friend David Gardner, who also took to Instagram to share a photo from the trip. Liv Tyler's fiancé, who wore a traditional outfit, commented on his new look writing: "Loving our new outfits.... My Mum always said I look good in blue."
During his visit, the Beckham patriarch heard and saw how the worst drought in decades is threatening to wreak havoc on the lives of locals who are already made vulnerable by HIV. Swaziland has the highest rates of HIV infection in the world.
As a father, David explained: "Last year I launched my own Fund with UNICEF because I wanted to help build a safer world for children. Many of the children I met, some of whom were the same age as my own children, had lost one or both parents to AIDS and are themselves now living with HIV.
The sporting hero was joined by his close friend David Gardner
"As a father of four, it was hard to hear their stories about the daily challenges they face, which are now being made so much worse by this devastating drought."
"I am speaking out for these children to make sure they are not forgotten at a time when they so desperately need our help," he added. "I am urging the global community to do all it can to help UNICEF deliver the life-saving food, medicine and clean water that these children so desperately need."
