5 Times Christian Atsu Melted Hearts and Touched Lives With His Philanthropic Gesture

• Christian Atsu was found lifeless following the earthquake in Turkey on Saturday
• The former Chelsea and Newcastle United was among the victims of the devastating quake which hit Turkey and Syria on February 6
• While the quake painfully short-circuited Atsu's life, his faith and good deeds touched countless lives beyond football

A lot of people agree with the school of thought that "life is fleeting." You rarely believe until you are struck with an example that is too close to home.

That is the exact situation Ghanaians, and the entire football community have been bequeathed with following the sad demise of Christian Atsu.

Atsu had been trapped under the rubble 12 days after a devastating earthquake struck through Turkey and Syria.

The former Ghana international was found dead on February 18, 2023, and his remains finally arrived in Ghana from Turkey.

Heartbroken agent and family of missing Ghanaian player Christian Atsu provides updates on rescue mission

Football

Despite Atsu's brief stint on earth, his life was well-lived and extremely impactful, even beyond the boundaries of football.

While the global football landscape continues to mourn the passing of the 31-year-old, Sports Brief takes a look at five times Christian Atsu touched lives with his charity works.

1. Atsu financed the education of Nigerian comedian

The Ghanaian footballer used his talent and wealth as a helping hand to whisk underprivileged individuals from poverty.

One of the beneficiaries of Atsu's philanthropic gesture was talented Nigerian comedian Craze Clown.

Atsu sponsored the education of the now skit maker, who recounted the gesture following news of the former Chelsea attacker's passing.

"Christian has been supporting me from way back 2015. When I lost my dad, he l reached out and offered to pay my fees till I graduated, and he did. You’ve been a great friend of mine, Chris, and I will surely miss you. I really can’t hold back the tears. Rest well, brother," he wrote on Twitter.

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2. Christian Atsu comes to the aid of prisoners

In 2019, the former Black Stars midfielder paid for the release of Peter Enin, a visually impaired man sentenced to an undisclosed criminal offence, per 3news.

The altruistic Ghanaian was touched by the fact that prisons in his native country lacked basic amenities to make the place convenient for persons living with a disability.

Again, through the Crime Check Foundation, he paid for the release of 10 inmates who had been sentenced due to petty thefts.

3. He donated football boots

Even football boots too? Yes. Christian Atsu also donated football cleats to his former club Cheetah FC.

For the uninitiated, giving boots may sound mundane and basic, but where Atsu hails from, football cleats are more of a luxury than a basic requirement.

Hence, he made it a point to donate football boots in large volumes, which are then redistributed to needy footballers, as corroborated by GHANASoccernet.

Heartbreaking as Ghana winger Christian Atsu has been found dead in Turkey

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4. Supporting orphaned children

In conjunction with Arms Around the Child, Christian Atsu has been lending a helping hand to the less privileged in the society.

He visits the kids regularly when he is back home in Ghana for the summer. When he visits he likes to bring gifts to the children such as books, stationary and other essential items.

The school building has undergone several developmental phases; unfortunately, Christian would not witness the completion of his handiwork.

5. Bailing a lactacting mother

Perhaps this is the most heartwarming of Atsu's charity works.

He prevented a mother and her two daughters from spending three months in prison for reportedly stealing some leftover corn, estimated at GHS 10 ($0.79), per Myinfo.

All three were found guilty, including the lactating mother, after being unable to pay a fine of GHS 360 ($28.49) slapped on them.

Atsu's remains arrives in Ghana

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The remains of Christian Atsu has finally arrived in Ghana from Turkey following his passing after a devastating earthquake on February 6, 2023, Sports Brief earlier reported.

The government of Ghana, family, friends and former footballers were at the Kotoko International Airport to receive the lifeless body of the player.

In emotional scenes at the airport, many struggled to hold their tears while others wail in sorrow as the body of Atsu was painfully brought out of a Turkish Airline.