Former England International and English Premier League (EPL) side Manchester City Football Club (Man City) player Joleon Lescott is in Kenya.
Lescott jetted into the country to visit a water project in the Kibera slums on March 21, 2024, which was initiated by two girls hailing from the neighborhood.
The two girls Mercy Mwache and Pauline Njau were on November 21, 2023, announced as the winners of the 2023 Water Heroes Award.
The two were shortlisted for the award meant to recognize individuals seeking to solve various problems relating to water shortage in different parts of the world.
“The Water Heroes Program recognizes individuals or municipalities who performed duties above and beyond the usual call of duty during an emergency to continue to protect the public and the environment. These duties shall elevate the status of the water sector industry,” the Water Environment Federation notes.
The awards are organized by the Water Environment Federation in partnership with water solutions company- Xylem- and English football club Manchester City FC.
Man City recognizes duo
The duo’s project beat five other projects from across the world to emerge top in 2023 after a voting process.
Mercy and Pauline embarked on an initiative aimed at creating awareness on the need to conserve water using football as a platform.
According to the duo, they were inspired by the need to address water challenges in the slums.
Also Read: Manchester City Awards Two Kibera Girls After Innovative Project
Their primary goal has been to end period poverty and health hazards caused by lack of access to water necessary for ensuring period hygiene.
Among some of the privileges that the girls were set to receive following the win included a visit by one of Manchester City’s legends to their project in Kibera.
Following their victory, the club announced that the training center where the girls meet would also get additional training sessions with coaches from the reigning European Champions.
“We are very pleased to announce that Nairobi in Kenya, was the top-voted project and has won a special Manchester City visit to their project, including additional training from Manchester City coaches in the Football and Water Education curriculum and a visit from a Club Legend,” Man City announced.
Joleon Lescott’s career
Joleon Lescott is a former professional footballer who currently works as a sports pundit and as a coach with the England U21s.
During his time as a player, he played as a center-back making his debut in the EPL back in 2003 with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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He eventually moved back to the Premier League signing for Everton in 2006 after spending two seasons in the Championship following Wolve’s relegation.
Lescott made his move to Manchester City in August 2009 for a reported £22 million and went on to spend five seasons at the club.
At Man City, he won two league titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup before his release in 2014 when he signed for West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer and Aston Villa a year later.
At the international level, the former defender represented England at various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2007 at the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers.
He also represented the country in the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament where he scored England’s first goal of the tournament in their opening 1-1 draw clash against France.
