The Story of Sthobela A Community
The community of Sthobela is nestled in the hills of the Oshoek area, situated alongside the border of South Africa and Eswatini. It is made up of people from Eswatini who often do not have documentation and also people from a nearby province, KwaZulu-Natal, who come looking for opportunities to provide for their families through farming. Within these beautiful, grassy, rolling hills, it is frequently cold and windy, which creates unique practical challenges for the community.
50 Children currently supported
4 Care Workers Coordinated by Lilly
Basic Services Started in 2014
15 KM from the oSHOEK Local Office
In 2014, Hands at Work recognised that Sthobela was a vulnerable community and there was a need to expand our care to this area. After walking in the community, Hands at Work mobilised volunteers from the local church to help identify the ‘poorest of the poor’ children in their community. Sthobela A Community Based Organisation (CBO) started operating out of a small metal shack that they built themselves.
Today, Lilly is the coordinator of the Sthobela A CBO and helps to encourage and support the other Care Workers as they sacrifice their time and energy to bring parental love and care to the children. Coming to the Care Point, 50 of the most vulnerable children are supported with the three essential services of a hot, nutritious meal daily, education and basic health care. Additionally, they receive love and support from the Care Workers who take time to regularly visit the children in their own homes, bringing Christ-like love.
The Care Workers have recognised the support and healing that has come through their weekly Relationship Group.
In 2016, the Chief in Sthobela officially gave Hands at Work ownership of a piece of land for the Sthobela A CBO. This was a huge encouragement, providing stability for the CBO and also exampling the local community ownership of the care for the children.
Over the past few years, the shack previously used at the Care Point for cooking has been turned into a proper building, complete with toilets and benches for the children to sit on. In 2019, playground equipment was donated to the Care Point, giving the children a safe place to play and freedom from the burdens and responsibilities at home. Additionally, the exterior of the building has been painted with bright and vibrant colours representing new life and creating a sense of ownership among the Care Workers and children.
Meet Naomi
Naomi* is a strong and resilient girl, who dreams of a better future for herself and her family. Having lost both of her parents, 18-year-old Naomi lives with her elderly grandmother, Maureen*, who has tried her best to ensure her granddaughter receives an education. In July 2022, Naomi gave birth to a baby boy, who lives with another relative when Naomi is in school because Maureen is unable to care for him alone. Unfortunately, coming from Eswatini and being undocumented, this means they have no access to government assistance and there is no guarantee that Naomi will get a diploma or job after school. With no income, they depend on gifts from relatives in Eswatini and the support of the Sthobela A CBO. At the Care Point, Naomi is physically, emotionally and spiritually cared for by the Care Workers, who share that Naomi is happy to be part of the Care Point and is rarely absent.
The local Hands at Work team in Oshoek currently supports seven 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. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
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