Rafa's Rafa ... the tennis player. That's what he's about, that's what he does and that's what has drawn us to him. There is nothing finer than hearing him shout "Vamos!" or throwing a fist pump ... and is there anything sweeter than watching him bite a trophy?
But to be honest, there is something about looking at Rafa when he's doing his Foundation work ... I don't know ... he justs looks, "alive". He seems to slip into his role with ease, those around him respond so well to him, and away from the rigours and strains that tennis brings him, this - I believe - is where he can find some passion. He and his mother seem to be a great team, and her pride in him just seeps out from the photographs.
I've attached this link that gives a report on what he was up to in Barcelona yesterday (but you'll need to do a google-mangle on it), but basically when Rafa's Foundation was set up in 2008, they knew that they wanted to do something with children and what they knew something about - which was sport - so they sought the support of organisations which were standing for the same thing. "Integración y Deporte" is something that is centred on vulnerable children in Barcelona and Granada who are trying to be integrated through sport with the help of Aldeas Infantiles (which is the project that Rafa's Foundation chose to support). Aldeas Infantiles has six other centres in Spain and it is hoped that the "Integración y Deporte" programme will be extended to these other centres over the next 3 years.
The kids had no idea which famous sportsman was coming to see them yesterday, so can you imagine their faces when Rafa showed up? That's why I love that he does this work because whilst his Foundation benefits them, I am certain that it brings lots of benefits personally to Rafa too.
There will be the annual Foundation benefit tonight which will also raise funds to finance the project.
Fantastic work, Rafa. *clap* *clap*
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