George on Moody Bible Radio - Jan. 18

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 18th, and tune in to hear George Snyman, founder of Hands at Work, on Moody Bible Radio. Hear his interview live at 10am CDT. If you're in the Chicago area, tune in to 90.1 FM or AM 1110. Outside of the Chicago area, visit the program's website or click on Listen Live. If you can't catch the interview live, don't worry! Past programs are also available on their website.

Wendy's Story (ZAM)

It wasn't long ago that Wendy, 14 years old, and her five brothers and sisters were going without food for days at a time. Since losing Wendy's parents, her elderly grandparents struggled to care for the children near rural Susu, Zambia.  When things were at their worst, Wendy didn't have the energy to play with her friends, let alone make the 3 mile trek to school each morning. 

Everything changed when Wendy started receiving weekly visits from a concerned neighbor.  Through Grace Church in Racine, Wisconsin, Hands at Work has been working in Susu since 2004 to empower the community to care for children like Wendy--the poorest of the poor.  Hands at Work operates through local people, like Wendy's concerned neighbor, who identified her as incredibly vulnerable and was able to connect Wendy to a program providing a meal every day at school.  Now Wendy has the energy to go to school again, and to play with her friends, too.  Wendy's favorite subject in school is called Creative and Technical Studies, and she dreams of becoming a teacher some day.

Elena's Story (ZAM)

Elena Kwani is a girl aged 14, an orphan now in grade 6 at Brunnelli Upper Basic school. She comes from Shikambo village which is 7km from the feeding point.

When her parents died, life became very difficult for Elena. Her schooling was interrupted because of hunger. Instead of going to school, Elena would wake up early in the morning to go and look for piece work in other people’s fields to earn money to buy food.

Since Baraka Home-based Care began to work in Elena’s village, her life has changed.

Through the meals and other supports provided by Baraka Home-based Care, Elena has been able to return to school. She has stopped working in other people’s field as she used to. She now concentrates in class and all the teachers are happy at her improvement. When she finishes school, she goes straight to the feeding point, where the food she eats gives her the strength she needs to walk to the school and remain attentive during her lessons.

Thanks to a group of concerned Christians in the Chicago area, Hands at Work has been partnering with the community of Baraka since 2009 to mobilize and equip local Christians to effectively care for the poorest of the poor.

Siphwe's Story

Siphwe is 6 years old.  She was living in the capital city of Zambia, Lusaka, when her parents passed away and she was abruptly uprooted and moved 300 km to live with her elderly grandmother in the small, rural village called Susu.  Siphwe's grandmother is doing the best she can, but she is very tired, and her only source of income is the small amount of money that comes from crops she can sell from her garden.  Siphwe sleeps on the floor at home with one blanket and often receives very little food at home.

But Siphwe's life is changing, because she is now visited regularly by Christopher, a care worker for a small grassroots organization called Susu Home-based Care.  Christopher has been a consistent parental influence and encouragement for Siphwe.  He is someone who she can trust, who loves and supports her.  Christopher ensures that Siphwe is consistently attending the local school here she receives a healthy meal.  This consistent food has been a huge blessing to Siphwe, as she now has the energy to walk to and from her home, to focus in school, and to help her grandmother with household chores.  Siphwe still has many challenges in her life, but Christopher and the other care workers for Susu Home-based Care believe that the longer she is in their care and a part of this program, the more she will grow into a healthy, happy young girl.

"No longer will the poor be nameless." -Psalm 9:18

Thanks to generous American donors like Grace Church in Racine, Wisconsin, the Ten Talents Foundation, Nurses for Africa, and individuals like you, Hands at Work is able to support the village of Susu through Christian volunteers who have big dreams for their community.  If you're interested in supporting a a child like Siphwe through Hands at Work, click GIVE NOW.  Tell Siphwe's story.  Advocate on her behalf.  Give a name to the nameless.  If we can help you, let us know by emailing info@us.handsatwork.org.

Annual Bay Area Donor Dessert (CA)

It's our chance to thank you for all you do to support and love the children of Africa. If you're in the Bay area, please join us for dessert.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

2:00pm

Tuscany Club House in Danville, California

If you are able to attend and haven't already received an invitation, please email jungjoopak@gmail.com.