The Story of Phophonyane Community

Phophonyane is a community situated right across the South Africa and Eswatini border. Though a border community, it is rural, and there is little access to government facilities like schools or clinics. Any child that goes to school is required to walk long distances – often waking up in the early hours of the morning to be there on time. Many people in Phophonyane struggle with the abuse of alcohol and survive by planting and selling marijuana. This is not sufficient in providing for people and it leads to high levels of substance abuse. An additional challenge is the lack of access to safe and clean drinking water, as the only source of water is a river that is used by the whole community, including the livestock.

94 Children currently supported

13 Care Workers

Basic Services Started in july 2022

7 km from the Phophonyane Local Office  

Over the last year, as the local Hands at Work team in Eswatini has grown in their capacity, they have been looking to expand into a new community. When seeking out the right community, Hands at Work leaders depend on the Holy Spirit to guide them to the right place. At the beginning of 2022, Levy, Vusi and Lonneck (African Leaders, South Africa) travelled to Eswatini from South Africa to support the Eswatini team in seeking out the new community. They started by driving from Lomahasha to Spick with Pastors Smiso and Pastor CV, who are from Lomahasha. Arriving in Spick, they connected with the local headman who shared about the area, but upon hearing about the communities, it was clear that God wasn’t calling them here. The next day, the team connected with a woman who was selling food on the side of the road. She shared about an area called Siphofaneni, and following the guiding of the Holy Spirit and hearing about the situation there, the team knew that they needed to visit.

On the following trip to Eswatini, Audrey, Vusi and Ma Nester (African Leaders, South Africa) drove to Siphofaneni, where they met Pastor Daniel. After sitting with him and sharing the vision of Hands at Work, he shared about the community of Phophonyane and how it was one of the most vulnerable. It was not easy to find this community, but through the prayers of the Hands at Work family, God made a way.

As the Eswatini team visited Phophonyane, they connected with a local woman who showed them around the community, and through several subsequent visits, the Eswatini team got to know one of the local pastors, who was quick to understand the work that Hands is doing. He introduced them to other pastors and the local chief, who welcomed the team to start serving in their community. Many of the Primary Caregivers were invited to participate in a 'Foundations’ training that the Eswatini team facilitated, where they shared the vision of Hands at Work and the responsibility to care for the most vulnerable. It was from this training that a group of Primary Caregivers committed to being Care Workers.

In July 2022, Phophonyane officially began serving 60 of the most vulnerable children in their community - a number that has since increased to 94.

Meet Ezekiel

Nine-year-old Ezekiel* and his three younger sisters were among the first children invited to the Care Point. Care Workers found the children sitting at home, with Ezekiel caring for them alone. This is often the case because their mother and stepfather are out, trying to find work doing odd jobs in the community or work at a local farm. With the inconsistency of work, they need to take any that is available. Ezekiel’s father is alive, but has rejected him and is not involved in his life. Ezekiel’s stepfather struggles with the abuse of alcohol and treats Ezekiel unkindly when he drinks. At the Care Point, the siblings receive a hot, nutritious meal daily. The Care Workers also supported Ezekiel in applying for a birth certificate in the hope that he can attend school. Additionally, Care Worker Nomsa has developed a good relationship with the family and is free to step in and speak to Ezekiel’s stepfather about caring for his family.

The local Hands at Work team in Phophonyane currently supports one Community Based Organisations, which exist to care for the most vulnerable in their communities. The office provides training, networking, and encouragement to those Community Based Organisations like Phophonyane. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.

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