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Recently, the local Hands at Work team in Dedza, Malawi invited the Care Workers, local church leaders and community leaders to the Care Point in Mngwere Community. The purpose of gathering everyone together was to share about the dangers of early marriage and the reasons behind protecting our young girls.

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Nine year old Sylvia* enjoys attending church with her grandmother, and has dreams of becoming a doctor one day to help others in her community who are unwell. – Mngwere Community, Malawi

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When Kara McLaughlin, International Volunteer (Australia), was in Mngwere Community in Malawi, she visited Rebecca*, a grandmother caring for her eight-year-old and five-year-old grandchildren. “During the Holy Home Visit, I was blown away by the evident loving relationship that this grandmother has with her two grandchildren but also by the heavy burden that she carries, made even more challenging when her husband left the family.” Please pray for Rebecca, who represents thousands of Primary Caregivers across Africa, as she cares for her family. Pray that God will give her strength and perseverance.

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Bible stories coming to life in the community of Mngwere, Malawi. Three of our young girls re-enact the story of Hagar from Genesis 16.

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When the #CareWorkers in Mngwere Community, #Malawi, wanted to make some changes to the structure of their Life Centre and to their kitchen shelter they made it personal. They began doing odd jobs and working in other people’s fields, in order to raise the money that was needed. With the money earned, they purchased the materials and hired a builder. Since then, the kitchen has been completed and stands as a beautiful example of the Care Workers’ ownership of the project, as well as of their commitment and resourcefulness.

#CaringForTheMostVulnerable #LocalCommunityOwnership

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Day 9 - Climate Chnage

‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.’ – Psalm 34:7-9

Over the years, changes in climate have caused natural disasters such as drought, cyclones and hurricanes to become more frequent. The most vulnerable are always severely impacted, as they have no extra layers of protection. Sadly, these changes in the climate have directly impacted the most vulnerable children and their families’ ability to survive. Pray for Hands at Work leadership to have wisdom and discernment in knowing how to address these challenges and support families when crises happen. Ask God to protect the most vulnerable children, that they will come to know God’s love and comfort in times of uncertainty.

A result of these recent climate changes, was Cyclone Idai that hit South Eastern Africa in mid-March 2019. What initially looked like a bad storm, turned into disaster for tens of thousands of people, affecting Malawi, first with floods, then Mozambique and Zimbabwe. After the Cyclone, many homes were affected, particularly in Malawi and Mozambique. As Hands at Work, we committed to responding to the families who have been most affected.

Due to heavy rain fall, many houses in Malawi were destroyed during Cyclone Idai, and families were left living in desperate situations. 11-year-old Martha* and her grandmother Emily* where one of these families.

Emily’s house collapsed during the night of Cyclone Idai. In the morning, they were surrounded by the gravel, where their house had once stood. Devastatingly, they didn’t retrieve anything from their house; suddenly putting Martha in an even more vulnerable position. Martha and Emily temporarily moved in with Martha’s mother, however this wasn’t a safe place for them to live.

Martha’s mother lives nearby, although Martha doesn’t see her often. Her mother stays with her two younger brothers and makes a living by brewing and selling alcohol. Seeing the situation, her grandmother made the decision to bring Martha to live with her, as her mother’s home was a unsafe environment for a young girl.

Understanding the increased vulnerability and urgency of the situation, the community of Mngwere came together to rebuild a house for Emily and Martha. Using bamboo sticks, poles and grass, they created a temporary structure for Emily and Martha to live. The local Hands at Work team in Dedza was able to further support the family by providing plastic to secure the roof and protect them from the weather.

Seeing the community come together in this family’s time of need was such an encouragement to the local Hands at Work in team in Dedza.

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Mngwere Community, Malawi

Sarah* is 10 years old and lives with her mother. Care Worker, Thokozani, is bringing hope to Sarah’s life by faithfully visiting them in their home, building relationships and supporting them with their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

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"I was served and so now I want to serve others." – 25-year-old Maria reflects on why she became a Care Worker after receiving the love and support of the Care Workers as a child in the community of Mngwere, Malawi.

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Nathiliza (right) lives in the community of Mngwere, Malawi, with her husband and five children. She became a Care Worker in 2016 because she saw the orphaned and most vulnerable in her community. "By the grace of God I was able to step in and serve them.”

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15-year-old Charity* lives in the rural, isolated community of Mngwere, Malawi, and is one of 200 children being cared for by local volunteer Care Workers, who are committed to holistically caring for the most vulnerable children, like Charity.

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Day 18 – Teachers

Vast numbers of the most vulnerable children in Africa have no access to even primary education. Orphaned children are often forced to abandon school and take up responsibilities in the home. As part of the Hands at Work vision in providing holistic care for each child, we fight for children to have access to education. Pray for the teachers who invest many hours a day into teaching our children. Ask God to give them grace and compassion as they serve as role models for the children. Pray they will have wisdom in assessing each child’s needs as they teach in a loving and encouraging way.

This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.  – 1 Timothy 4:10-11    

At the Life Centre in Mngwere Community, Malawi, the Care Workers have started an after-school class for the children to help them with their homework.

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A #LifeCentre allows the children the freedom to just be kids. In Mngwere Community, #Malawi, children gather daily at the #LifeCentre and know that they will be loved and care for holistically.

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Care Workers from Tima Community Based Organisation (CBO) regard this little one’s life as one of their greatest successes. When they first met her she as days away from dying, now she is a lively beautiful girl with a big personality. Dan spent a day with Kitana* and the 199 other children who are being cared for in Mngwere Community. #Malawi #DanInMalawi 

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“We walked through the beautiful rural community of Mngwere, amongst the fields of freshly planted maize. In this community many families are devastated by illness and poverty. Violet, Lester and Tanazio bring #hope and light in a place of darkness.” – Dan Waspe, International Volunteer (UK) #DanInMalawi #Malawi