Andre Onana Foundation: A Goalkeeper’s Vision for a Better World

In July this year, the Andre Onana Foundation held its fourth surgical campaign. A delegation of Spanish health professionals—from nurses to paediatric surgeons—helped over 350 people in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

In the world of professional football, where roaring crowds and dazzling trophies often dominate the spotlight, Andre Onana stands out not just for his skills between the posts but for his remarkable commitment to humanity. The Manchester United and Cameroon national team goalkeeper is a formidable force on the pitch, but his true legacy might be built off the field through the transformative work of the Andre Onana Foundation.

Established to provide life-changing healthcare and education opportunities, the foundation represents Onana’s deep-rooted desire to give back to the communities that shaped him. From performing over 1,200 surgeries to building schools for orphans, the Andre Onana Foundation is a beacon of hope for underprivileged families in Cameroon and beyond.

A Foundation Built on Humble Beginnings

Andre Onana’s journey began in Nkol Ngok, a small village in Cameroon. Growing up in modest circumstances, he experienced firsthand the struggles that many children in Africa face daily—limited access to education, healthcare, and basic amenities.

“Growing up in Cameroon, I was taught the importance of lifting each other. It's something that came from my family and the people around me," Onana shares.

After honing his skills in football academies, including Barcelona's La Masia, Onana's career skyrocketed, taking him to Ajax, Inter Milan, and eventually Manchester United. But success on the pitch was never the endpoint. Instead, it became the platform he needed to fulfil his greater mission: creating lasting change for those in need.

The Andre Onana Foundation began its work with a focus on aiding blind children in Cameroon. However, the scope quickly expanded as Onana recognized the broader healthcare needs of underserved communities. The foundation now provides free medical care and surgeries to children and adults who cannot afford these essential services.

Each year, the foundation organizes surgical campaigns that bring together a team of international medical professionals, primarily from Spain, to Cameroon. The fourth campaign, held in July 2024 in Yaoundé, saw doctors, nurses, and pediatric surgeons deliver critical care to over 350 people in Yaoundé, the nation’s political capital.

Since its existence, the foundation has facilitated over 1,200 surgeries, addressing conditions that would otherwise have been life-threatening or permanently debilitating. From cataract removals to complex pediatric surgeries, these interventions have profoundly changed lives.

“When you see that, it changes your way of thinking. Just enjoy life. Try to help people as much as you can,” Onana said.

Empowering Through Education

Healthcare is just one pillar of the Andre Onana Foundation’s work. Recognizing the critical role education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty, the foundation also focuses on building schools and providing educational opportunities for orphans and vulnerable children.

"Coming from that part of the world, it’s incredibly difficult to step up when you don't have parents," Onana explains.

The schools funded by the foundation are designed to foster not only academic excellence but also personal growth, creating a generation of young people who can contribute to their communities and inspire others to do the same.

For Onana, participating in the foundation’s activities is as meaningful as any trophy he’s won. He frequently visits the surgical camps to meet patients and their families, offering them words of encouragement and solidarity. These experiences have profoundly influenced his worldview.

“You see people who have nothing, yet they look happier than people who have everything; they didn't want to be in that position, but destiny made it that way and they are making the best out of that situation.”

Recognition and Support

Andre Onana’s humanitarian work recently earned him the 2024 Player Impact Award from FIFPRO, a testament to the profound difference his foundation has made. Along with the award, FIFPRO donated $10,000 to the Andre Onana Foundation, funds that will help sustain and expand its projects.

“I want to thank FIFPRO and the Cameroonian player union Synafoc; this big donation is very welcome, and our team already have plans in place to do some nice things for the kids, hopefully in cooperation with UNICEF,” Onana revealed.

While Onana is not alone in his philanthropic endeavours—many footballers engage in charity work—his foundation stands out for its scale and impact. He hopes his efforts will inspire others in the sports world to use their platforms for good.

“My advice to my teammates is to try to change the world if you can. Start somewhere and our younger brothers will build on it, step up, and do even more than us. Footballers inspire people,” Onana said.

“A lot of people have eyes on you and it's very important to make them understand that, in life, everything is temporary. It doesn't matter how the situation is going. It doesn't matter what you are facing now. It will change. If it doesn’t change today, it will change tomorrow.”

Looking Ahead

The future of the Andre Onana Foundation is bright. The Cameroon number one and his team are currently in discussions with the United Nations to explore collaborative opportunities, with the ultimate goal of scaling their efforts to reach more people worldwide.

For Andre Onana, success isn't just about accolades and achievements—it's about the lives he can impact. The foundation's work has already brought hope and healing to thousands, but for Onana, this is just the beginning.

"My journey has taught me that football is temporary, but the difference you make in people’s lives lasts forever," he says. "Enjoy life, and help as many people as you can."

The Andre Onana Foundation continues to serve as a powerful reminder of how one person’s vision, fueled by compassion and commitment, can change the world. Whether on the football field or in the heart of Cameroon, Onana is proving that true greatness is measured by the lives you uplift.

“I’m proud of the work that is being done. I’m proud of the people involved who are making this happen. Remember: enjoy life and try to help people as much as you can,” Andre Onana said.

*Culled from December Edition of PAV Magazine