Salvation Army makes its own World Cup Noise
While world audiences focus on a black-and-white ball in the FIFA World Cup, The Salvation Army in South Africa is handing out red cards against human trafficking.
In the run up to the World Cup, The Salvation Army has kick started a campaign to help protect people in South Africa, a country that tragically suffers an alarmingly high level of violent crime, including kidnapping, assault and trafficking. A major awareness campaign for the soccer event includes anti-trafficking messages on special Salvation Army World Cup items—water bottles, red cards, soccer balls, and vuvuzelas (little trumpets which make a huge noise). These items advertise a toll-free helpline launched by the Territory this year for victims of trafficking. The hotline is also for community members who are concerned or have a ‘tipoff’ about trafficking in their neighbourhood.
Alongside the awareness campaign, The Salvation Army is making an effort to prevent trafficking by providing safe venues for children during the World Cup. During its winter school holidays, corps are hosting free soccer clinics and Kids Clubs across the country for safe fun and games in celebration of the international sports event. They plan to reach 10,000 children through the Kids Clubs and hopefully plug many of them into regular kids programmes at local corps. The Army will also be ready to assist victims of trafficking through its existing safe houses for women and children.
Captain Patti Niemand, a member of the Army’s anti-human trafficking task team, said children are amongst the most vulnerable to human trafficking. ‘These children will be taken care of by our highly-trained volunteers who will also take the opportunity to educate the youngsters on human trafficking and HIV/AIDS.’ She added that the Army’s holiday clubs will also provide feeding schemes to keep children nourished.
By drawing crowds from across the country and the globe, the FIFA World Cup also offers The Salvation Army in South Africa a massive opportunity to share God’s message of love and forgiveness. Mission teams will be mingling with street revellers and joining the masses at fan parks for one-on-one evangelism. Five international mission teams are in South Africa to assist, four from Australia and one from the United States. Two South African mission teams and various cadets are also focused on teaching at the soccer camps and kids clubs and in taking part in street evangelism. All are intent on seizing the mission opportunity offered by the World Cup.
It’s an exciting time around the globe. But while the world focuses on that ball, The Salvation Army is not losing sight of the ultimate goal.
from War Cry magazine
> Click here for more information