Ben McEachen | August 1st, 2017 03:17 PM
Playing table tennis can help to combat human trafficking. Happening across Australia during October, annual fundraiser Ping-Pong-a-Thon raises money for organisations which seek to prevent modern-day slavery. With almost 46 million people around the world caught in some form of slavery, “The Pong” is serious about helping people escape exploitation and abuse.
“Bringing justice to our world should be a joy-filled, fun, community-rich experience.” – Adrian Rowse
“Most people hear about the issue and want to get involved as part of the solution, but don’t know where or how to start,” says Adrian Rowse, who created Ping-Pong-A-Thon in 2011. Individuals or groups, such as churches and schools, can get involved with Ping-Pong-A-Thon by hosting their own event.
“’The Pong’ places the action response (the fun of table tennis) alongside the, at times, overwhelming and depressing issue of human trafficking. The fun, quirkiness and community aspects of it are the perfect way to get people engaged.
“Bringing justice to our world should be a joy-filled, fun, community-rich experience.”
“Participants can engage with the issue more deeply …” – Adrian Rowse
Ping-Pong-A-Thon is a 24-hour event of bats, balls and social action. All but one of the organisations supported by the unusual fundraiser are Christian-based. Rowse hopes that those who take part in Ping-Pong-A-Thon will want to become more involved with fighting against human trafficking.
“Participants can engage with the issue more deeply through The Pong website,” Rowse says. “They are equipped as advocates as they participate in the event and invite their network of family and friends to support their efforts.”
Ping-Pong-A-Thon events can be registered now and participants can sign up from August 8.
Related Reading
Related stories from around the web
Find out how to get involved
Ping-Pong-A-Thon
Eternity News is not responsible for the content on other websites
Read Next
Ping-pong: the answer to modern slavery?
How Dalia was rescued from a terrible choice
The privilege of being a teacher
The resurrection is real and changes everything
'Find your home with Jesus' and other Christmas messages
Celebrating strength: 10 faith leaders share International Women's Day messages
How the Church can use technology to usher in a revival
Philip Yancey on not trusting his body, healing a 50-year family rift and what's so hard about grace
Forest maker urges NT teachers to ‘make hope happen’
Men urged to take key role in fight against domestic violence
Domestic violence in the church – guiding survivors to healing and hope
We're going on mission to the Indian Ocean
Cost and confusion preventing Aussies from ethical shopping
Don’t look back … up close with Aussie evangelist Christine Caine
Making the stories of God accessible to Indigenous Australians
Is this faith just for me or is it for others too?
Latest
Farewell from the Eternity team
As Eternity News draws to a close, our team offers you, dear reader, our personal,…
What to watch this Easter (plus Eternity's highest rated movies)
Looking for some entertainment for the Easter weekend? Here’s a collection of three Easter-related movies…