ACROSS AFRICA

Read more about the transforming work that is happening in the countries we are currently working in

Democratic Republic of Congo | Malawi | Mozambique | Nigeria |

ESWATINI | South Africa | Zambia | Zimbabwe

The Hands at Work model started in South Africa but was replicated to meet the growing needs of vulnerable communities across Africa. Currently in eight countries, the Hands at Work model has developed and matured as it has spread and yet maintained the same heart and vision.

Going to the most vulnerable

Hands at Work is striving to reach the most vulnerable children in communities across Africa where HIV/AIDS, orphans and poverty are at overwhelming levels and support structures are very low. Institutional models of care are overwhelmed and unable to respond to the need, while communities need to be mobilized and equipped to respond.

CHILDREN 

12-year-old Gentle* and 9-year-old Promise* live with their father in Apatuku Community, Nigeria. They immigrated from the neighbouring country of Togo. Their father, despite having a small subsistence farm, struggles to provide for his daughters. Frequently, they would eat corn in the morning as their only meal for the day until they were found by local volunteer Care Workers.

The PANDEMIC: AIDS is the greatest orphan-maker of our time: An estimated 15 million orphans live in sub-Saharah Africa.

The extreme impact of AIDS is wide-ranging: Life expectancies are below 40 years in some African countries. The pandemic is wiping out development gains, fuelling the spread of other diseases, and even threatening to undermine national security in highly-affected societies.

Source: Avert.org

Caring holistically

With the concern and urgency of a parent, local Care Workers volunteer their time to find and care for those most in need. Through regular Holy Home Visits, Care Workers ensure that these vulnerable children remain in homes within their community and are physically, emotionally and spiritually cared for.

CARE WORKER

Christine knows the struggles that vulnerable children face: she was once one of them. Now in her role as a Care Worker she gives her time and her heart to finding and caring for the poor and the orphaned in her community.

Stirring up local communities

We identify local Christian leaders within vulnerable communities who are already demonstrating a passion to serve the poor and care for orphaned and vulnerable children. We support those leaders in organising local volunteers to serve those in need in their community and begin a long-term relationship to increase the community’s capacity to provide care in an effective and holistic manner.

CAPACITY BUILDER 

Audrey spends her days with the children and Care Workers in the most vulnerable communities in Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in the world.