Sharing a Heavy Burden (NIG)

Seth is a five year old boy living in the community of Ilaje, Nigeria. He is the youngest of four siblings. Several years ago when Seth was still a baby, his father left the family and divorced his mother, leaving the family destitute.  Seth’s mother had no work and the children were severely malnourished.  An aunt, knowing their desperate situation, even took one of Seth’s siblings home with her--after all, it was one less mouth for Seth's mom to feed. As Seth’s mother moved from house to house one day, begging for work or any spare food, she came across one of the Eagle Foundation care workers. Their local volunteers visited the family in their home and was struck by their vulnerability. They immediately decided to register the two younger children in the 3 Essential Services program where the children will receive one meal a day, basic health care and education. 

Through the program, the care workers also enrolled Seth and his sister at the community school.  In the beginning, Seth really struggled at school. He had received no nursery education and fell behind on his studies compared to his classmates. He struggled to finish his work at school, and he couldn’t take it home to finish after school--there was literally no space in his small home where he can concentrate and do his homework.  However, the teach­ers in the Ilaje Community School did not give up on Seth. They continued to encourage him at school, and he slowly began to catch up with his school friends.  Today Seth and his sister are doing well at their school, and their mother has found some work selling yams.  It may not bring in much money, but it does help her to provide for her family’s basic needs.  While the family is still struggling, the care workers are bringing much love and support to many areas of their lives, lessening the heavy burden that this family has had to carry over the years.  

What's Behind This Lovely Smile? (MAL)

Bethany is a 15-year-old girl living in the rural village of Mcheneke, Malawi. Her smile defies the hardship she is liv­ing with as a teenager who has lost both of her parents. At the age of two, Bethany contracted a debilitating illness that left her mentally impaired and paralyzed on one side of her body. She is now unable to use one of her arms and is unable to attend school due to her dis­ability. Until recently, Bethany had been living with her grandmother, but due to a breakdown in their relationship she has been aban­doned by her grandmother and is living alone in a one-roomed hut. She had been spending all her time sitting in her doorway, watching her community pass her by. She was with­out food or blankets and was chronically hungry, cold and desperate for human connection.

But Bethany is not forgotten.  Esther, a local Care Worker with Umodzi Community Based Organization (CBO) now visits Bethany every day! Esther helps by fetching water and bringing Bethany food. More than the practical support she gives Bethany, Esther's attention communicates to Bethany that she is valued and loved by her heavenly Father who will not abandon her. Esther’s regular home visits also give a message to the surrounding com­munity that Bethany is loved and cared for, providing a level of security for this vulnerable 15-year-old girl. After years of neglect and abuse, you can see Bethany is smiling again. When asked about her dreams she said only that she might have enough food for the day and a warm blanket at night.

Through the 3 Essential Services program run by local volunteers at Umodzi CBO and funded by Christ Church and Wellspring Church in Calfornia, Bethany will re­ceive one nutritious meal a day, a blanket, and access to education and basic health care. Esther will continue fighting for Bethany, loving her as a mother, and hoping to find a way for her to attend school or receive an education at home. Now when Bethany sits alone, she knows it is only a matter of time until Esther comes to visit her. It is this kind of love and compassion that will help a young girl like Bethany over­come the tragedies in her life, and show her that there is hope.

Free At Last! (SA)

Connie is a 14-year-old girl who lives in South Africa.  She was born with a form of cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder that has affected one side of her body, resulting in her inability to walk or have full use of her extremities.  However, her physical limitations do not seem to affect her spirit. The joy that exudes from Connie is contagious! Connie is quick to make people feel welcomed with her bright personality.  She loves to joke around and talk with everyone who visits. Her level of English is incredible and when asked how she learned the language, she accredits it to watching TV and reading - two of her favorite hobbies. It is obvious that Connie LOVES to learn and is very bright.

She has the same desires as her twin brother and other children her age – to go to school and to play with friends. These dreams were put on hold when she lost her mother several years ago. Previously, Connie’s mother was able to carefully move her down the large, front steps of the family home in her old and deteriorating wheelchair and push her over the rocky and uneven road to school. Unfortunately, her grandmother lacks the strength to transport growing Connie out of the house.  Over the years Connie grew out of her wheelchair, and as a result, she became housebound and so was unable to attend school and see her friends daily. 

The Care Workers at Senzokuhle Home-based Care have been committed and diligent in caring for and advocating for Connie over the past many years. They visit her every week and assist her with treatments and techniques that ease her pain and discomfort. Because of her condition, Connie lost the use of one side of her body, creating contortion of her limbs. The Care Workers have been taught body movement techniques to open up the circulation and increase mobility. The idea is that this will provide Connie with a better quality of life--creating less pain, lessening the contortions and increasing mobility.

When she met Connie on a recent trip to South Africa, Sara, an volunteer from the U.S., was immediately struck by Connie’s story and determined to try to help.  When she got home, she challenged her family to help Connie in a practical way. They raised funds to purchase a brand new wheelchair and to purchase materials needed to build two ramps - one inside Connie’s house, connecting her bedroom to the living room, and one at the front entrance, connecting Connie to the rest of her community! Can you imagine the sense of relief and hope Connie now feels?  There are now plans for the youth leaders to transport Connie to the Senzokuhle Youth Program several times a week, and the hope is that she will now be able to return to school!   

Great time at Urbana (US)

We had an awesome time at Urbana these last couple of days.  I was really inspired by the 16,000 youth that were willing to give up their holidays and spend time worshiping, and trying to discern what God has planned for their lives!  If you stopped by our booth, thank you!  If you have questions be sure to check out the rest of the website, or email me at Jed@us.handsatwork.org. 

There are a few things that I will never forget.  First, packing 32,000 home based care kits in one night.  What an awesome testimony!  Second, ending 2012 with communion with 16,000 people, and starting off 2013 worshipping.

Just remember God isn't calling you to do his work; He is counting on you.  Wether you end up volunteering with Hands at Work in Africa or commiting to serve in your local community God is counting on us to build His Kingdom!

-Jed Heubner

Radical Advent: story of Angela from Kisunka, DRC

As a part of our Radical Advent Christmas campaign we want to share a story of a very determined young girl from Kisunka.  Angela lost her parents when she was just two years old.  Her aunt took her in, but like most other villagers, she works on a farm and earns barely enough money to survive.  As a young girl, Angela struggled with her job of taking the family goats to graze for most of the day, leaving little time for play. 

When Kisunka Community Based Organization (CBO) began caring for her, she had never been in school.  Now, at nine years old, she is in second grade and working hard.  After facing many challenges, Angela says she has big dreams for her future and is grateful to Kisunka CBO for enabling her to attend school.  She has made friends with the other children and feels loved by the Kisunka CBO care workers who visit her at home.Make this a Radical Advent by supporting Hands at Work in improving access to education to poor children in Africa! Please consider making a donation to our Christmas campaign here.