adminDesire Ncube
FAITH-based organisations have been urged to step up efforts to impart survival skills to young people in impoverished communities.
The call was made by over 30 pastors from different churches who gathered in Midlands province to deliberate on issues facing young people, in particular the recourse by some girls to prostitution as a way of earning a living.
Campaign leader Mrs Caroline Ncube said in as much as Christians despised prostitution the Christian community is doing very little to thwart its boom.
“Prostitution is despised by Christians. But not only does the disgust cover the activity but often the prostitutes (themselves). We as Christians, perhaps, should ask ourselves whether disgust is a Christian emotion and what are we doing to help our relatives.
“Christians should walk the talk, let’s help these children. Some of them have genuine causes they need food they need shelter. Let’s mobilise resources and we arrange for their training and this will go a long way in transforming not only our rural areas but the nation at large,” Mrs Ncube.
In her testimony, a 12-year-old girl said she became a commercial sex worker because of the dire circumstances she found herself in after her parents died.
“I am 12-years-old and I don’t go to school. I stay (at the growth point) with my two friends. I am here because I am desperate. My parents are deceased and given the opportunity to go back to school I will be happy. But if I can get a decent job I will be happy ….
“I never looked for my relatives; maybe they are there or they do not exist. I don’t know. I only know that my older sister is in Harare.”
She said she did not want to know her HIV status.
Pastor Tinaye Mambo of Glory to Glory Ministries said health statistics in impoverished rural areas showed a gloomier picture than in cities.
“The situation here is worsened by the fact that very little attention is given, especially, to young girls. When a child drops out of school less noise is made unlike in big cities . . . We are having serious health problems … because in many areas commercial sex is a survival activity,” said Pr Mambo.
Mrs Ncube said church involvement was critical to stop social ills like prostitution.
“We hope everyone realises that social and economic factors are a great cause for concern and church involvement is very critical. We need to work strategically and cohesively. Problems of such major proportions as poverty are not attacked by local feeding programs or preaching at the pulpit but by action.
“Our churches must join hands with other communities of faith and address the needs of the poor communities, especially giving them surviving skills,” Mrs Ncube said.
Online Reporter