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Five-year-old Seth* is a different boy from the one who was first discovered living in an abandoned house with his mother and two sisters. During a Holy Home Visit, the Care Workers listened compassionately to his mother’s story. She shared that she has no support from the children’s father. With food in scarce supply, and with both Seth and his mother suffering severe health problems, the Care Workers saw their vulnerability and urged them to come to the Care Point for a daily nutritious meal. Since then Seth’s mother has felt much relief to be able to share her burdens with someone who cares, and Seth feels security when he is with his Care Worker, Lindiwe, because of her tender care. – Eswatini

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It has been encouraging to see how God has put in Virginia’s heart such a burden and a love for the youth, in particular our young girls here in South Africa. She has been key in helping to set up and start the youth groups that have been happening with our girls on a weekly basis. A few weeks ago, the local Hands at Work team in Eswatini invited Virginia to come and help with a weekend youth camp for the youth girls from Msengeni A Community. Throughout the weekend, they learned about Jesus and were able to hear one another’s stories. During the camp, you would see Virginia surrounded by a group of girls, sometimes with their Bibles and notebooks and pens, just asking her questions, talking, getting to know her. Virginia was able to share with them that she was one of our children who grew up in Masoyi Community, South Africa, and now she is able to sit and share with them how God has changed her life. Virginia is a member of the local Hands at Work team in South Africa. (pictured in the front in green)

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Elizabeth* is one of the Primary Caregivers in Msengeni A Community in Eswatini. She is caring for five children. Dumisile is the Care Worker who is committed to caring for Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth has expressed that she sees Dumisile as a sister who carries the burdens of life with her. She is free to share her challenges, and looks forward to when Dumisile visits her home.

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Recently, a fence was constructed around the Care Point property in Msengeni A Community in Eswatini. This helps to prevent free-roaming cows and goats from entering and provides an additional layer of safety and security for the children. A testament to the Care Workers’ commitment to the safety of the children was the ownership that they took in doing the physical labour of the fence construction, with several of the Care Workers’ husbands joining in too!

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“We do face many challenges in caring for the children, but this is what God has called us to do. We must continue to care for them well.” – Siphiwe, a Care Worker from Msengeni A Community, Eswatini

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“In the weeks building up to the Maranatha Workshop in June, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation mixed in with nervousness from both the Care Workers and the local Hands at Work team in Swaziland. Everyone knew that it was going to be a week set apart for God – a holy week. The week centred on 14 Care Workers from Msengeni A and B Communities and 2 young ladies from Shoka Community. Prayer from around the world, teaching from Busie and Audrey (African Leaders, South Africa), worship, ministry and support from the local Hands at Work team in Swaziland and a wider team from the Hands at Work base in South Africa poured into each day. It was clear, though, that it was not all these individuals who came with the ability to bring healing and hope, but only God. He came with such grace and power. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." During the week, we saw lives coming to Jesus for the first time or coming back to him after years apart. We saw levels of forgiveness which were quite miraculous because no one in their own strength would be able to bring such forgiveness, reconciliation, and ultimately, peace. As the women shared their deepest hurts, it was beautiful to see God lifting their burdens and be able to witness the beauty of relationship. The women spoke into each other’s weaknesses; encouraging, supporting and sharing how they wanted to walk the tough road ahead ‘hand in hand’. There is a journey ahead for each of these women, but for each one, they no longer walk it alone – they experienced the power of God and the beauty of their family of believers who are committed to their ‘freedom in Christ’. - Jo Poulsom, International Volunteer (UK)

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Since 2015, local volunteer Care Worker, Sbongile, has committed to serving 100 of the most vulnerable children in Msengeni Community.

Please pray for our Care Workers who are serving the most vulnerable children across Africa.

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“Every year, the Methodist church in the small town where we live organises a charity event for the young people in their congregation. It is a good opportunity for these young people to aid a charity which involves gaining a deeper insight into the charity, doing a fundraiser and creating artwork that represents what they have learned about the charity. This year, the church chose to focus and raise support for Hands at Work in Africa. We started off the evening by going down to the river and each of the youth collected two containers of water to carry up to the church. Once we had finished collecting water, we shared with the youth about the water situation in Msengeni Community, Swaziland. We told them about the challenges that people faced in the communities in Africa and how that compares to their lives. Then they built shelters out of cardboard to sleep in on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, the youth had the opportunity to share with the church congregation about their experiences and what they had learned.”

David and Jane Newsome, International Office Volunteers, UK, reflect on an event that was held to raise funds and awareness for Hands at Work.

Often women are the only caregiver in the home. This requires them to provide for their families and still care for their children.

At the Msengeni Care Point, there is a playground for the children to use. Many times, children are put in positions requiring more maturity than would be expected for someone of such a young age. A Life Centre gives children the freedom to play, laugh and smile. It provides them with a safe place where they can be children.

100 of the most vulnerable children in Msengeni Community receive a daily hot and nutritious meal, access to education and access to basic health care.