Areas in Malawi being impacted by Hands at Work

THE CRISIS + HOW WE BEGAN

The people in Malawi face different trials in overcoming the social and physical poverty plaguing the country. While Malawi is a largely agricultural country and has made efforts to overcome decades of underdevelopment, food supply is inconsistent as the country is prone to natural disasters of both extremes – from heavy rainfalls to drought. Four or five small cities exist among large poor rural areas. In 2008, Hands at Work began serving in the community of Mngwere after being connected with a local pastor there, Royie Nazombe, through a church connection in South Africa. Mngwere is isolated and vulnerable, and when Royie and his wife Violet heard the Hands at Work vision from Levy Mwenda (African leader, Zambia) about seeing the global church unite as Christ’s body to care for their community’s most vulnerable children, they grasped it immediately.

Royie and Violet committed to mobilise and organise compassionate local volunteers with a heart to care for the poorest of the poor. Eventually, Royie, Violet and their team of Care Workers developed Mngwere into a model of community ownership where local churches were able to feed and educate 85 children with their own resources. Since then, Hands at Work’s ministry in Malawi has continued to grow. Today, Hands at Work is serving in seven communities surrounding the Dedza area and together with the Care Workers and church leaders, they are seeking out the most vulnerable children and giving their lives to loving those who many disregard

OUR RESPONSE

As the local church is mobilised in each community to unite and reach out to the most vulnerable, Hands at Work equips them to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to the children and families they serve. Children are supported through the daily provision of Hands at Work's three essential services of food, education and basic health care provided at Life Centres within their community. Through regular visits to their homes, bible teaching and prayer, children come to know that they are loved by Christ and those who care for them.

MEET Yona

Yona* is one of the most vulnerable children we care for in Chilindaukwe Community, Malawi. Ten-year-old Yona’s* mother sadly passed away when she was very young. Yona currently stays with her older sister who has a child of her own. Whilst doing Holy Home Visits to other families, Care Worker Stella found Yona and immediately recognised her vulnerability. After sharing Yona’s story with the other Care Workers, Yona was invited to join the Care Point in 2023. Stella has built a great relationship of trust with Yona and shares that she has seen a positive change in Yona since she joined.

Population: 22, 402, 783

Percentage of people living in extreme poverty: 73%

Number of children (0 to 14) living with HIV/AIDS: 57, 000

Number of children (0 to 17) who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS: 470, 000

Life Expectancy: 67 (F) | 60 (M) 

Country Rating (out of 187) the Human Development Index: 169

– Sources: UNAID, UNDP, World Poverty Clock 

BE INSPIRED BY OTHER STORIES FROM MALAWI
My Calling - Tanaziyo Betiel
My Calling - Tanaziyo Betiel

In 2014, I joined the local Hands at Work team in Dedza. Since I joined Hands at Work, I have developed a heart of ‘adoption’ and am understanding what it means to ‘make it personal’….

Bible Stories Coming to Life
Bible Stories Coming to Life

Our monthly bible stories coming to life in the community of Mngwere in Malawi.

Making it Personal
Making it Personal

Acting with concern and compassion, Rashid raised his hand and said he would bring Sara home. One Saturday morning, Rashid woke up early and left the house at 4am. Using several different taxis and motorbikes, he headed into the mountains and forests in the general direction he had been told.

Equipping the Next Generation
Equipping the Next Generation

“Our children saw the stark difference between our comfortable lifestyle and wealth and the hardship and poverty that the people of Mcheneke Community, Malawi, live with daily. They also saw the difference in attitude between their own complaining and discontent hearts and the joyful, grateful hearts of the Care Workers and children that they met, despite their impoverished conditions.”

An Urgent Call to Prayer – In the Wake of Cyclone Idai
An Urgent Call to Prayer – In the Wake of Cyclone Idai

Late last week and through the weekend Cyclone Idai hit South Eastern Africa. What initially looked like a bad storm has turned into disaster for tens of thousands of people, affecting Malawi first with floods, then Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

It is said to be the worst ever weather related disaster to strike the southern hemisphere according to the UN. 

Growth in Germany
Growth in Germany

We are grateful for the amazing support that we have seen growing in our church and surrounding communities. We have not only seen God’s hand in this but we have witnessed a deep appreciation for what Hands at Work is doing. Through regular visits and strong relationships, people have realised the love and trustworthiness that Hands at Work is based upon and therefore are willing to support the work with their finances and prayers.


A Vision that Keeps You Coming Back
A Vision that Keeps You Coming Back

I was surprised, moved and thankful for the things that had changed. New additions to the team. New Care Points serving more children than was previously possible. New dreams and imaginative possibilities for partnership with the international church.

Care Workers Across Africa
Care Workers Across Africa

Care Workers are the key in bringing healing and transformation to the lives of our children. They are men and women from the local churches within our communities who recognize their Biblical mandate and answer their call to care for the most vulnerable children. They demonstrate what it means to give freely, love unconditionally, and sacrifice everything. Often, Care Workers face their own traumas and live in dire poverty, just as the children they care for do, but their determination to persevere and care despite their own circumstances challenges everyone they come into contact with. They are greatest in the Kingdom of God!

Bringing Relief to Chinkhu
Bringing Relief to Chinkhu

Royie Nazombe, Dedza local office coordinator, shares, “This feeding program had a great impact. Grandmothers and caregivers could not believe this was happening to them. I remember meeting with the grandmothers after the packages were distributed. Before, all they were eating was a small amount of vegetables for lunch and supper. I heard them say ‘today I will taste nsima for the first time’. People were very happy.”

The Cry of a Hungry Child
The Cry of a Hungry Child

I wake up early and spend some quiet time with God, but I know this morning is different than any other I had spent so far in Malawi. I am going to visit Chinku Community, a community quite a far distance away. I hesitate – “Is it too far? Maybe I am not up to going out today.” I make excuses. My quiet time reflects my hesitation, and I ask God, “Why am I feeling this way? Why am I hesitating?” As tears well in my eyes, I know God has something different for me today. I do not know what to pray, but I know the Holy Spirit is praying – groaning on my behalf.