WHI Partners to Stop Trafficking at World Cup
Jun. 10, 2010
World Hope International plans to do its part in helping fight human trafficking in the city slated to host the world’s biggest sporting event.
This month, South Africa will host the 2010 FIFA [Soccer] World Cup. Hundreds of thousands of soccer enthusiasts will converge on the southernmost country on the continent, making this year the first that an African nation will host the event.
While the action on the field will surely be compelling WHI (compassionate ministries partner of The Wesleyan Church) hopes the event will also illuminate what is happening just beyond the glittering lights of the new soccer stadiums. The influx of tourists to South Africa has raised concerns about an increase of sex trafficking, as research has shown that international sporting events can increase demand for sexual services. With southern Africa already one of the world's most vulnerable areas, WHI fears it could get worse still.
As of June 2, the South African government had yet to implement a bill against human trafficking. Newspapers reported just this week on the sale and renting of babies in the city of Johannesburg.
“Let's pray that the World Cup coverage will shine an uncomfortable, bright spotlight on trafficking and lead to tougher laws and better enforcement throughout the region,” says Dr. Karl Eastlack, director of World Hope International.
To aggravate the situation, nearly 20 percent of all adults in South Africa are HIV-positive. Human trafficking and HIV/AIDS form vicious circles of destruction–with one feeding off and increasing the other. Eastlack urges Christians to pray against the rumored plan to legalize prostitution in South Africa.
In addition to praying for things to get better in southern Africa, you can also act by supporting WHI's efforts there. Anti-trafficking programs in South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland help raise awareness, protect vulnerable people from being trafficked, and empower communities to act against it. WHI staff have provided anti-trafficking information and literature to official FIFA World Cup volunteers in 9 of the 10 FIFA host cities. Starting in June, WHI will partner with World Vision South Africa and the Olive Leaf Foundation to launch another World Cup-focused anti-trafficking project, aimed at spreading the word even further. WHI will build on its history of creating long-lasting partnerships with like-minded groups and working with communities, schools, and churches to prevent human trafficking.
“Thank you for praying with us and helping to make this work possible,” says Dr. Eastlack.
Photo credit: World Hope International
