The Story of Oshoek Community
In 2009, George Snyman, the co-founder of Hands at Work, stood overlooking the Oshoek Community with a pastor friend, who said, “It’s the worst community I’ve ever seen”. Later, George met a local principal who said, “So many of the orphans are disorientated. They don’t even know what day it is”. Hands at Work began building a relationship with Bambanani Community Based Organisation (CBO), and partnered to care for the most vulnerable children in the area.
Oshoek is located on the border of South Africa and Eswatini. It is a major trucking route, making the women extremely vulnerable, but also exposing the community to drug use. There are few opportunities for employment. Other challenges in Oshoek include the high number of people from Eswatini who come to South Africa in search of a better life but without identification documents. Without ID, they struggle to find work and earn a living for their families.
56 Children Supported
4 Care Workers Coordinated by Sylvia
Basic Services Started in 2012
1 km from the OSHOEK Local Office
In addition to providing the most vulnerable children with food security and support with education and basic health care, the Care Workers from the Bambanani CBO visit the children in their homes, building strong relationships of love and trust. These Holy Home Visits enable the Care Workers to support each child’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs on an individual basis. Additionally, it helps to accurately assess each child’s practical needs and make a plan for how to best care for them.
In the beginning of 2016, toilets were constructed and a fence was put up at the Care Point, increasing the health and safety of the children. Later, a Care Point building was constructed and eventually painted by the Care Workers and children. These bright and vibrant colours are a beautiful representation of the new life happening in Oshoek.
The local Hands at Work team in Oshoek currently supports five 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 Bambanani. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
BE INSPIRED BY UPDATES FROM OSHOEK COMMUNITY
Recently, nine-year-old year Talia* and her ten year old auntie Shiloh* were sent to be with relatives in Eswatini, but they refused to return the girls when the time came. The Care Workers know this family very well and are committed to advocating on their behalf. Together with the local Hands at Work team in Oshoek, they were able to work closely with other relatives to get the girls back, ensuring they could continue to be holistically cared for at the Oshoek CBO. With all the instability in their lives, the Care Point plays a vital role in care and safety of the girls. Thank God for the way that people are committed to fighting on behalf of lost one! - Oshoek Community, South Africa
Recently a team from Church Unlimited in South Africa came to spend time in the community of Oshoek, which is one of the communities that they support in partnership with Hands at Work. While they were in Oshoek, they spent time making Holy Home Visits, getting to know the most vulnerable children and the Care Workers, and helping to paint the Oshoek Life Centre building. It was a great opportunity for the team members to gain a deeper understanding of the vulnerability that exists within South Africa.
In September 2014, Victoria joined the Bambanani Community Based Organisation (CBO) as one of the Care Workers. She has a strong faith and through the positive example set by Ma Anita and Ma Nesta (members of the Hands at Work local office in Oshoek) she realised her calling to serve the most vulnerable children.
Today, she serves 50 of the most vulnerable children at the Bambanani CBO and is the ‘mother’ of the Care Point. Through her leadership and commitment to loving the children as her own, she has helped to create an atmosphere of life and love with Jesus at the centre.
Please pray for our Care Workers who have committed to serving the most vulnerable children across Africa.
Earlier in the year, a borehole was dug at the Oshoek #LifeCentre. This borehole allows the #CareWorkers to collect fresh and clean water for the children that they serve, which in turn helps to prevent the spread of illness and disease. It is such a blessing! #Joy
Bambanani Community Based Organisation (CBO) operates in Oshoek, near the #Swaziland border and this is the community nine-year-old Kefentse* lives in. His eyes tell a story of pain and hardship. In his short life, Kefentse has experienced the death of both his parents. Kefentse’s older sister became the #PrimaryCaregiver for him and his four other siblings. Kefentse knows that he is loved by God and the #CareWorkers at the Care Point. The women truly live out Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaims salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ #ChristOurFoundation #Scripture#VolunteersInAction
When Happy* was just a few years old, her father passed away. Without a steady income and with no one providing for them, her mother became very afraid and ran away, abandoning her only daughter. Happy was taken in by her grandmother, who is barely making it by, having no way to earn money. Even the most basic necessities, such as food and health support are a daily challenge for them. Even though Happy has endured a myriad of challenges in her seven years of life, God has picked her up and brought healing to her wounds. Local volunteer #CareWorkers have come together from many local churches in Oshoek to form Bambanani Community Based Organisation (CBO). They are passionate about helping Happy heal from the emotional trauma she has faced. They do this by coming to her home regularly to make sure she knows and feels that she is loved and valued. #CaringForTheMostVulnerable #PoorestOfThePoor #LocalChurch #Healing
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Eventually, word spread throughout the community about Naomi and Miriam’s situation and so Care Workers from the Pfunani CBO visited them in their home. Hearing their story, they invited the girls to begin attending the Care Point.
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When I was 12 years old, my parents separated and I remained living with my mother and younger brother. It was difficult being the firstborn because when my mum was sick I was responsible for caring for my younger brother, all whilst trying to attend school.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5
With four designs to choose from, our easy to follow instructions allow you to print at home or send designs to your favorite printer.
For the last three years, Carolyn Snyman has encouraged the ladies volunteering with Hands at Work to ask God for their own personal Watchword for the year; a scripture that will serve as an encouragement, challenge and promise for the year to come.