With South Africa gearing up to celebrate the annual Youth Day this Saturday, June 16, The Salvation Army has warned young people to beware of bogus offers that promise jobs and other rewards.

PR Secretary for the Southern African region of the church, Major Carin Holmes, said young people are particularly vulnerable to false approaches promising great rewards.

“In an environment in which jobs are more and more scarce, the temptation to try out a great sounding prospect is huge. But our message to young people is: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” she said.

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Major Holmes added that in its work in combatting human trafficking, the Salvation Army frequently came across young people who have been lured into slavery and the sex trade by promises of employment. In many cases, they leave their homes and families to pursue these – only to find themselves in the grip of the unscrupulous.

“Once they have been caught up in the web of human trafficking, it is extraordinarily difficult to break away. Usually, they are fed with mind and body controlling drugs while in captivity, making them even less likely to try and break out of this vicious cycle of exploitation,” she added.

“Our message to young people is to treat job offers with great caution. Rather consult a person of experience before taking something up. Our Salvation Army officers in our churches are available to offer advice when needed, and we invite you to approach them if in any doubt,” she said.

The Salvation Army has a thriving youth department that caters for children and young people up to the age of 30 years. Its structure includes many opportunities for people and young people to serve God within the children and youth ministries in a variety of capacities – from corps to divisional youth and children’s boards, to YP workers and youth leaders.

The structure is carefully designed to avoid any age group from ‘falling through the cracks’, thereby ensuring relevant ministry and nurturing of each child and young person.

This article is issued by Quo Vadis Communications on behalf of the Salvation Army.

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