The Story of Sthobela C Community

The community of Sthobela C is nestled in the hills of Oshoek, alongside the border of South Africa and Eswatini. It is made up of people from Eswatini, many of whom do not have documentation, and people from a nearby province, KwaZulu-Natal, who have come looking for farming opportunities to provide for their families. Within these beautiful, grassy, rolling hills the air is cold and windy, which creates unique practical challenges for the community.

Due to the lack of employment in Sthobela C, many people survive by ploughing their own fields for food. This is complicated by a lack of access to clean water and a short growing season, which means that providing for their families is always a concern.

60 Children supported

4 Care Workers coordinated by zinhle

Basic Services Started in 2021

6 KM from the oSHOEK Local Office 

Hands at Work recognised that Sthobela was a vulnerable community and that there was a need to expand care to this area. After walking in the community, Hands at Work mobilised volunteers from the local church to help identify the most vulnerable children and in 2014 the Sthobela A Community Based Organisation (CBO) was started.

Over the years, Hands at Work saw that some of the children being cared for at the nearby Oshoek Care Point were not able to attend during the school holidays, as they relied on the school bus to bring them there. Sthobela B CBO was established in direct response to this challenge, providing a Care Point that the children could walk to.

In 2021, the local Hands at Work team in Oshoek came across yet another challenge when it came to their attention how far some of the children were walking from an area known as Sthobela C to the Care Point in Sthobela A. The children had to walk across a river and through the bush, putting them in a dangerous position. As a result, local Care Workers were mobilised in that area, and the Sthobela C CBO was formed.

In July 2022 a Maranatha Workshop took place in the community for the Care Workers, which has helped to build their confidence as they take the gospel into their Holy Home Visits.  The workshop finished with a special time of community prayer at a new piece of land, bringing together Primary Caregivers, children, Care Workers, and local Pastors. 

Meet Naledi

Naledi* is a second grader at Madzanga Primary School. She lives with her grandmother, Mama Nelly, who is one of the Care Workers in Sthobela C. Naledi’s father suffers from epilepsy and her mother struggles with a mental disability, so it is Mama Nelly who provides a stable and loving home for Naledi.

Naledi began coming to the Care Point in 2022, when it started operating in her area. She loves coming to the Care Point and playing with other children her age. Her grandmother says that she used to be very quiet and withdrawn, but after coming to the Care Point, has become more cheerful and lively. Not only is Naledi cared for emotionally, but she is supported with the provision of a hot, nutritious meal daily and a school uniform. Naledi enjoys learning at school and dreams of becoming a doctor someday because she wants to change her situation and help others.

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 Sthobela B. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.

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