KIDS clubs and soccer schools in The Salvation Army's Southern Africa Territory – set up to take advantage of the excitement and interest generated by South Africa hosting the FIFA World Cup – have proved hugely popular, with numbers in many places exceeding expectations.
South Africa's neighbour, Namibia, is part of the Southern Africa Territory. The Salvation Army has only been active in Namibia for two years and is still in the early stages of its development but this did not stop Salvationists there from joining in the fun. A soccer and fun day was attended by 250 children.
Children at the various events were given information on how to be safe from human trafficking. The anti-trafficking message was also promoted to children and adults in their communities, at stadiums and at FIFA Fanfest venues where fans gathered to watch the matches on giant screens.
Donor funding also made it possible to distribute educational and sports equipment – including goalposts – to a number of corps (Salvation Army churches) across the territory. This equipment will continue to be used after the World Cup has finished.
Along with education and safe fun, many corps offered a meal to the children attending the special World Cup events. One place where this happened is at eMangweni Corps in Mpumalanga where up to 190 children attending the kids club received a meal every day. Captain Patti Niemand of Territorial Headquarters reports: 'Young people in the corps took on the awesome responsibility of providing a programme for the children every day, which included games, songs and a Bible story.'
 Major Lenah Jwili, in charge of Salvation Army work in Namibia, celebrates with children who attended the soccer and fun day |
 Children who attended Kids Club activities at eMangweni Corps were given daily meals |
 South Rand Corps promoted its soccer clinic with a brightly painted mural |
 A soccer clinic in Soweto led by an Australian mission team |
