Restoring hope and dignity was the order of the day when, recently, the Victory Outreach ministries hosted their annual Code Red event pampering a group of sex worker women, endearingly referred to as “Twilights Treasures”. 

The event, which is hosted annually in June, is one of the many ways in which the church stands united to make a difference in its communities. This year, Code Red took place between June 4 and 6, 2025.

On June 5, the Twilights Treasures were invited to a pampering event where they received five hours of treatment.

Volunteers had arrived from all over the city to give hair, nails, pedicures, and massage treatments, and the women received donations of food, clothing, and toiletries.

Victory Outreach said: “With over 700 churches and ministries in more than 30 countries across the globe, the heart of the Ministry is to reach those in the darkest places of society. Whether it be drug addiction, gangsterism, or prostitution, while others see women of the night, prostitutes, drug addicts, the homeless, criminals, or rejects of society, Victory Outreach sees a life that can be impacted and turned around.

“The aim is to go out and tell the ladies of the night that there is hope for them, and they are loved. Most of these women are found in deep, dangerous places that many would avoid. The mission of this event is to reach out and help others see what they don’t see in themselves. This event specifically reaches out to a special group of women whom they prefer to call ‘Twilights Treasures’. Women living in especially difficult situations often find themselves at night doing the unmentionable.”

About the event, regional pastor Nuriska Lopez said she was filled with hope when one of the women they had pampered recognised one of the volunteers as somebody she had met as a former “Twilight Treasure”. 

“One of them recognised one of the girls who was with us. She was once a Twilight Treasure that we reached on this very street last year. They recognised her and were very excited to see her. This reminds me of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well, and then went back to tell her friends, to tell her family, to tell the whole neighbourhood where she came from, and that Jesus is the answer for them. Selena was busy testifying about the change in her life and the help she received, and they were so excited to see her.”

In conversation with one of the business owners who participated in this year’s event, Tanya Burt – a stylist from Eastridge in Mitchells Plain – said: “I was eager and willing for such an opportunity. It was indeed a liberating experience to walk up to these ladies to offer them my services as a stylist.

“Beautifying them, doing their nails and makeup was indeed a very empowering experience. Seeing their transformation was indeed a fulfilling experience. It’s indeed liberating to see them fill up with joy and pride.”

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

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