This year, Hands at Work in Africa is celebrating two decades of caring for the most vulnerable. 

What started out as a calling to two ordinary people to live a simple life of servanthood and unconditional love has turned into a flourishing ministry of care, compassion and restoration, spanning eight African countries and reaching thousands of the most desperate children and families. 

With a commitment to go where no one else would work, and to mobilise and equip the local church to care for those in their community, the hope of Christ and the good news of Jesus has been modelled and is being lived out in the most unlikely places. 

With the support of the International Church, Hands at Work has over 100 partners worldwide, who have sent teams and volunteers to Africa both long and short term.

To each one of you who has been a part of our journey over the past 20 years, 

Thank You! We truly are together!

“So much has changed and yet we are the same”

Join us as we celebrate the past and look to the future of Hands at Work.

SO MANY LIVES TO CELEBRATE!

Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness from Across Africa

“Now I know Jesus”

"I grew up near Welverdiend, Pfunani in South Africa. When my mom passed away, my aunt and uncle took me into their house when I was seven years old. As life went on, things got tougher. My uncle passed away and I ended up becoming one of the children cared for at the Pfunani Care Point. From there, I went to primary school, high school and then to college.

Growing up in a community like Pfunani, there are churches, but the teaching is somehow different. My life has been transformed by Hands in a way that now I know Jesus well. I knew Jesus from back home, but then it wasn't as it is now. Back then, I was still young. I was just going to church because my family go to church, without getting to meet Jesus there. Hands has transformed my life in many different areas, such as learning skills like being a bookkeeper. I'm so grateful for that. I’m continuing to grow spiritually. Actually, I would say I'm still growing in most areas in my life."

“My life has been changed forever!”

Violet’s life was been transformed since becoming a part of one of Hands at Work’s community garden projects. She has learnt the skills to care for her own family and earns a small income as Hands at Work purchases the food for the children's daily meal from gardens run by our local care givers.

Listen to Kupa, one of the Zimbabwe Regional Support team leaders share about Violet’s story.

Our dream is to continually build resiliency into our Care Workers, the most vulnerable children and their families. The purpose of building resiliency is to equip them with the resources, tools, and understanding that they need to provide for their own families, so that when challenges come, they are better equipped to stand. One way that this is done is through the provision of both Care Worker and Primary Caregiver community gardens.

In a house that was deteriorating and in disrepair, a young Judah found himself the sole caregiver to his siblings after the passing of his grandmother. Thankfully, the Care Workers of the Isublio Community Based Organisation in Chisamba recognised their immense vulnerability and lovingly brought Judah and his siblings under their care. A daily hot and nutritious meal has improved Judah’s health but the Care Workers understand that caring for the children extends beyond physical needs. 

A youth discipleship programme was started in Chisamba and Judah, with three other vulnerable youth, was invited to participate. Together, they learned practical life skills to provide and care for their families. Through this, Judah has experienced the depth of God's love. There has been deep healing and transformation in his life, leading to his baptism.  

In early 2022 heavy rains caused many houses to collapse in Chisamba. Judah was able to use skills he had learned to help rebuild homes and share the hope that he has found in Christ.  

“This time I could help! I felt Honoured to be building houses for PEOPLE who Really needed them”

Each one of us has a story to tell and a journey with Hands at Work over the last 20 years.

Throughout this year on social media we have been sharing stories of children, care workers and volunteers whose lives have been transformed through what God has done in the past 20 years. Be inspired!

#OurJourney #MyLife #HisStory #Celebrating20Years