HH Prince Harry of Wales was recently in the UAE capital to take part in an annual polo match to benefit Sentebale, a charity that helps children in Lesotho affected by HIV.
Prince Harry founded the charity with Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso, in memory of their mothers.
Sentebale helps Lesotho’s children affected by the virus (the majority of whom contracted the disease in the womb) by providing them with care and education, as well as a support network to help them live with the disease.
The Sentebale Polo Cup was held this year at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The British royal and his team, the Sentebale Huntsmen, won the day with a score of 5-4 over the St. Regis team, headed by Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras.
The first Sentebale Polo Cup was held in Barbados in 2009 to raise awareness and funding. Since then it has been taken around the world to the UK, USA, Brazil – and now to Abu Dhabi.
“Thousands of children lose one or both parents to AIDS-related illness and poverty every day,” said Prince Harry. “They are left alone, orphaned, possibly living with disability and often completely unaware that they are carrying the HIV virus.
“Our aim is that by educating these children and creating networks where they can discuss their concerns we will start to tackle the stigma surrounding HIV.”
To find out more about the charity visit: www.sentebale.org
