Most African football stars started life from a humble and rather difficult background. However, their economic and social status went through jet-speed transformation and began to live opulent lifestyles in Europe forgetting where they started from.

African players are under no obligation to give back to society what they have earned legitimately, but impacting society is part of their social responsibilities.

While some show off their material gains such as wrist watches valued at prices that can put up a school block in rural areas, a few good ones - despite finding fame and fortune in Europe - have never lost sight of those they left behind in hardship.

Goal.com dug out 10 of such top players in no particular order.

1. Michael Essien (Ghana & Chelsea)

The midfield general is robust on the pitch but he has a soft spot for the less fortunate in society. He has set up the Michael Essien Foundation to raise funds to give the underprivileged of his home town access to basic amenities like health care equipment, libraries, public toilets and clean drinking water. He is also involved in charity work including the ‘Reading Goals’ to improve reading habits in students.

2. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast & Chelsea)

The shots from the Ivorian striker might be hot to many goalkeepers but for the masses back home and throughout Africa they bring a lot of joy. He is an epitome of peace in his west African country and is a demigod to many. Drogba has promised to donate all his endorsement earnings to charity. He kick started the effort with the $5 million [£4m] he received from Pepsi. The money will be used to build a hospital and orphanage in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan and he has also used his influence to stop five years of continuous conflict in Ivory Coast.

3. John Utaka (Nigeria & Portsmouth)

The Super Eagles and Portsmouth forward has launched the John Utaka Foundation to empower Nigerian youths at the grassroots level. He would be providing scholarships with the help of the Central Bank of Nigeria. "I believe that giving back to the society is very essential because I was in the system before I travelled abroad where I started playing my professional football,” he recalled when unveiling the foundation.

4. Aaron Mokoena (South Africa & Portsmouth)

The South African captain is known for his humanitarian qualities above his football skills, and has done a great deal for various charities and foundations, as well as setting up his own foundation in South Africa. He is also one of the major personalities involved with the 1Goal initiative, and is often seen giving his time to those less fortunate, and children in particular.

5. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

The man with the heart of a lion in football circles has left his mark off the playing field when it comes to social responsibilities. The Cameroonian is involved with many causes. The Inter striker set up several scholarship programs, donated ambulances and has been involved with building of hospitals and setting up football academies. Moreover, he has been involved in several charity games in aid of the poor in many African countries and beyond.

6. Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt & Al-Ahly)

The Al-Ahly striker has participated in several charities and humanitarian work. He joined UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors plus 40 international football stars in 2005 for a ‘Match Against Poverty’ in Germany to raise funds. He volunteered to appear in a World Food Programme 30-second public service announcement in which he drew attention to the tragic fact that 25,000 people die from hunger every day, 18,000 of them children. He is a WFP Ambassador Against Hunger. He has appeared in some PSAs for free for a worthy cause back home in Egypt.

7. John Paintsil (Ghana & Fulham)

The Black Stars defender has just set up the Paintsil Peace Kids Project geared towards promoting the interest of children. The Foundation is to improve the values of respect and guide young children towards the path of success. It would hold football clinics to impart these values in the children. The Fulham defender donated $20,000 [£16,000] for football competition in his hometown Berekum.

8. Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria & Portsmouth)

As one of the most decorated African footballers, the Nigerian icon is arguably almost as famous for his philanthropic work. He has the Kanu Heart Foundation and, inspired by his own brush with death due to a heart defect, the striker - who is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF - has arranged for over 1,000 children to travel abroad for live-saving surgery.

9. Stephen Appiah (Ghana & Bologna)

The humble and inspirational Ghana midfielder established StepApp - his own self-designed clothing range - some few years back. All proceeds are channeled into his StepApp foundation, a charity that works towards providing health insurance and medical facilities in some deprived areas in Ghana. He is also active with the UN children’s fund UNICEF to promote education in Africa.

10. Joseph Yobo (Nigeria & Everton)

The Everton centre-half has through his Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation handed out over 300 educational scholarships to the poor ranging from primary school to university. Also, he has established a football academy in the country's Ogoni region. He spends much of his summer breaks doing charitable work.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2886/africa/2010/07/22/2036851/ten-african-footballers-with-a-social-conscience

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