A Family Affair - the Chong Story

It started with a nine year old boy's wish - to give to poor children in Africa.  The beautiful wish has grown to include the whole family visiting South Africa, helping in the villages, and cultivating - within their own family - an African consciousness that permeates their everyday lives.

Read the Chong's inspiring story.

Gala of the Heart

by Christa Roby, Abbotsford, BC

After serving under Hands at Work in Africa on two separate occasions  to Zambia and South Africa for a total of 7months, the decision became clear; I would return to Africa.

I soon realized that making the decision and actually doing the follow-through are two very distinct acts. But no matter how big the effort to follow-through would be, I knew in my heart I would walk it out.

One step in it all was the Charity Gala I hosted on Feb.17^th to bring awareness to others about Hands at Work and my heart within that, and also raise financial support to assist with my return to Africa. When I first had the idea for a charity gala, the thought was to have a more intimate setting where people can come to hear me share my heart. I know the people in my life have heard me tell stories with the words; “Africa” and “Hands” more times than they would dare to count, but sometimes the true heart is missed. I wanted to take people beyond my ‘experience’ and into my ‘heart.’ Can I first of all add, I DO NOT public speak, or, so I thought.  It seems that ever since I have returned from Africa more and more opportunities have arisen. I’m coming to terms with a new sense of obedience; that if I don’t take the opportunities presented, it is not just me affected, but the many orphans who I have a privilege to be a voice for. And so, I envisioned a small group of close friends and supporters being at the gala – all within my comfort zone.

Click to read more ...

From Calgary to Kabwe, May 2012

From Calgary to Kabwe - May 2012

Short Term Mission Report by Kelli Stevens, team volunteer

(Calgary volunteers with Zambian Service Centre Personnel)

When “Team Kabwe” got together about six weeks before departing for Zambia, we went through a number of teambuilding activities. At one point, our team leader played us a song with a line in the chorus that says, “What else can I do, but bring a blanket for you”. The message was that sometimes you can’t do anything more than try to offer comfort. We appreciated the song, and I thought I understood the message.

Arriving in Kabwe, we met the local Hands at Work staff, and received a high-level schedule. A few hours later, we met the volunteers from the first of three “CBOs" or “Community Based Organizations" that we would work with.  

It’s often easier to write about actions instead of emotions. So let me talk about some of the things we did with the CBOs over the following days.

Click to read more ...

When you look at a child, what do you see?

In Africa, you see a child that is hungry, alone and often, neglected. For the past 3 years Hands at Work has been providing basic food, health and educational supports for $15 a month per child. That's 50 cents per day! But the days of being able to do that are gone and the need is 67 cents per day, or $20 a month.  Will you help us?

Please consider increasing your donation either through a one-time gift to help us with this increase, or by increasing your monthly contributions?  Or, if you've never been a supporter, would you consider becoming one? 

There are 3 ways you can let us know if you can help.  You can advise us by sending an email with instructions (your name, $ amount, preference for monthly or one-time amount), or you can complete the Giving Form or use the Canada Helps button to make your donations.  Whichever way you choose be assured your giving will result in changes to a child's life.