5 times Christian Atsu melted hearts and touched lives with his philanthropic gesture

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.

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.

Christian has been supporting me from way back 2015. When I lost my dad, he l reached out and offered to pay my fees til 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 pic.twitter.com/15oMIbPacn

— Dr Craze (@crazeclown) February 18, 2023

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.

Led by @WakasoBobby, and with support of @ghanafaofficial, a Foundation must be created in the name of Christian Atsu dedicated to preserving his Charity works. He once said, "God's word teaches us to go to prisons and visit the people there." Let's keep his wish alive. MHSRIP????! pic.twitter.com/82NM7V4yYY

— ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????©✍???? (@domynych) February 18, 2023

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.

He gave prisoners hope with his philanthropic program.

He gave young players the hope as he donates football boots to them.

Atsu really paid his dues on and off the pitch ????????????#GTVSports pic.twitter.com/RfTmkruIIc

— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) February 18, 2023

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.

Following the passing of Christian Atsu this week, we have been speaking with & started a fundraiser for Arms Around The Child, a great charity that Christian was an ambassador for.

We hope that you can make a small donation in Christian's memory. #NUFChttps://t.co/dF8udAXUFD pic.twitter.com/CqlgiLFntd

— Talk of Tyneside (@TalkofTyneside) February 19, 2023

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.