Oti Mabuse says trip to visit mothers in Cote d’Ivoire ‘brought everything home’

Oti Mabuse with Ajam, and her newborn baby in the west African country (Unicef/Frank Dejongh/PA)*no names for children, for reasons below.Oti Mabuse visited Côte d’Ivoire to see first-hand how donations raised through Soccer Aid for UNICEF can help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Oti visited the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Treichville Hospital, which supports mothers whose children are born prematurely. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), or skin-to-skin contact, is a method of newborn care that involves placing a baby on their mother’s bare chest for extended periods and has significant benefits for both the mother and baby. The units also serve as a comprehensive centre where babies can receive their routine immunizations and birth certificates UNICEF built the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Treichville Hospital which Oti visited. Originally with nine beds, it now has 26.Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable. This includes 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life (neonatal). Because of this, many of the children in the unit do not have names yet, as parents may hesistate to name their child while their future remains uncertain. -

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Oti Mabuse has said a trip to visit mothers of babies born prematurely in Cote d’Ivoire “brought everything home” about the premature birth of her own daughter.

The 34-year-old visited a neonatal care unit in the west African country to help raise awareness of its work ahead of Soccer Aid, which raises money for Unicef, which funds the unit.

Speaking after visiting the country’s Abidjan capital, Mabuse said: “Visiting Cote d’Ivoire with Unicef UK showed me the first-hand impact of the importance of vital care for children and their parents – especially for those that are born prematurely.

Mabuse visited Cote d’Ivoire to see the work of the specialist clinic (Unicef/Frank Dejongh/PA)*no names for children, for reasons below.Oti Mabuse visited Côte d’Ivoire to see first-hand how donations raised through Soccer Aid for UNICEF can help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Oti visited the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Treichville Hospital, which supports mothers whose children are born prematurely. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), or skin-to-skin contact, is a method of newborn care that involves placing a baby on their mother’s bare chest for extended periods and has significant benefits for both the mother and baby. The units also serve as a comprehensive centre where babies can receive their routine immunizations and birth certificates UNICEF built the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit at Treichville Hospital which Oti visited. Originally with nine beds, it now has 26.Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable. This includes 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life (neonatal). Because of this, many of the children in the unit do not have names yet, as parents may hesistate to name their child while their future remains uncertain.

“My own baby was born prematurely, so seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara (one of the mothers at the care unit) brought everything home. I know how vital that care and support is in those early days.

“Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable.

“I also met incredible foster carers like Madame Massandje, who are changing children’s lives and helping give them the start in life they deserve.

A warm cuddle against her mother's skin can be life-saving for a premature baby.

'Kangaroo care', used here at a UNICEF-supported hospital in Côte d'Ivoire, helps regulate breathing and body temperature and encourages bonding between parents and their newborn. #EveryChildAlive pic.twitter.com/8b6B8qn4ek

— UNICEF (@UNICEF) November 2, 2019

“These experiences showed me the real difference donations make. That’s why I’m so proud to be part of Soccer Aid for Unicef – to help give every child a safe, healthy start in life.”

Mabuse’s daughter, who she shares with husband Marius Iepure, was born 10 weeks premature in 2023.

Speaking of her own experience, Mabuse said: “I remember the only way I could touch my child and have skin-on-skin was through this glass window – there’s no mother who wants to experience that.”

Ouattara, who Mabuse met, had seen her first baby die without access to specialised support, however her second baby, Abdul, although born prematurely again, was rushed to the centre where they stayed for three weeks to receive the care needed to allow him to live healthily.

The performer, who has also served as a judge on Dancing On Ice, witnessed a Unicef programme called Kangaroo Mother Care at the unit, which promotes the importance of skin-to-skin contact, which is proven to significantly boost survival rates of babies born prematurely, according to the charity.

Soccer Aid for UNICEF is back! 🏆💙

🏟️ Old Trafford, Manchester
🗓️ Sunday 15th June
🎟️ https://t.co/zdtW4Z10F7

Get your tickets today 🫡@ManUtd | #SoccerAid pic.twitter.com/5BIKZu7dsO

— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) March 11, 2025

According to Unicef, globally in 2024 an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life.

It says that in Cote D’Ivoire, lack of access to specialised care is one of the reasons that prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five.

A Unicef appeal film of Oti Mabuse’s trip will feature during Soccer Aid, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 6pm on Sunday, June 15.

Those wishing to donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef can visit socceraid.org.uk/donate.

This year, every donation made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, up to £5 million.