Areas in Zimbabwe being impacted by Hands at Work

THE CRISIS + How we began

Since 2008, when Zimbabwe faced one of the worst economic collapses in history, the country has endured rampant inflation and critical food and fuel shortages, resulting in many Zimbabweans surviving on grain handouts, and fighting for the little resources available. The cost and difficulty of accessing health care remains a major challenge for the most vulnerable families in Zimbabwe, as few can afford treatments or transportation to medical facilities. Subsequently, prohibitive access means people do not receive treatment in time, and many children and adults pass away prematurely. 

In 2008, Farai Gunhe (African Leader, Zimbabwe) got connected with a man from Mozambique, who was supporting the ministry that Hands at Work was doing in his home country. At that time, Farai had a personal business of driving taxis as well as feeding 200 of the most vulnerable children in his community out of his own home every Saturday. Going back to Mozambique, this man shared with George Snyman, co – founder of Hands at Work about what was Farai was doing. From there, a group of leaders including George travelled to Zimbabwe and spent two weeks walking in local communities and seeing the depth of need and brokenness. During that visit, they had a short meeting with Farai, sharing the heart and the vision of Hands at Work. In 2009, Farai was invited to South Africa for a conference and it was during that week, that Farai came to understand the vision. While not fully understanding what it would require of him, Farai said yes and became the first member of the local Hands at Work team in Zimbabwe supporting the first community of Sakubva.  

Our Response

As the local church is mobilised in each community to unite and reach out to the most vulnerable. Hands at Work equips them to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to the children and families they serve. Children are supported through the daily prevision of Hands at Work's three essential services of food, education and basic health provided at  Life Centers within there community. Through regular visits to there homes, bible teaching and prayer child come to know that they are loved by Christ and those who care for them.

meet Charles

Charles* is one of the most vulnerable children we care for in Tsatse Community, Zimbabwe. Nine-year-old Charles’ mother struggles with a mental illness, leaving her unable to care for her three children. Although the children live with their elderly grandparents, they are unable to find work and subsequently unable to provide for their grandchildren’s needs. When the local Care Workers began serving the most vulnerable children in Tsatse, Charles and his siblings were among the first invited to the Care Point. Here, they are guaranteed to receive a hot, nutritious meal daily and are surrounded by people who love, care and support them.

Population: 18, 513, 580

Percentage of people living in extreme poverty: 40%

Number of children (0 to 14) living with HIV/AIDS: 75,000

Number of children (0 to 17) who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS: 490, 000

Life Expectancy: 62 (F) | 56 (M) 

Country Rating (out of 187) the Human Development Index: 146

– Sources: UNAID, UNDP,  World Poverty Clock

BE INSPIRED BY OTHER STORIES FROM ZIMBABWE
Meet Misheck
Meet Misheck

…Though his aunt welcomed Misheck into her home, she was already caring for other children, making them a large family of ten. The uncle in the home tries to support the family by gold panning around the nearby city of Mutare, but rarely makes any money. The burden is heavy for this family. 

My Calling - John Matiwa
My Calling - John Matiwa

We faced many challenges along the way because people thought that if you were doing something like this, you should get money. They would also point to the work and say that it was for women and that men are supposed to be working for their families. But the relationships that I had built with the children made me unable to say no.

Noah didn't just do it for them, he taught them....
Noah didn't just do it for them, he taught them....

“Their uncle loves them and desires to care for them well, but he has his own challenges and struggles with alcohol. He wants to do well for them but doesn’t know how….”

Taking a Stand
Taking a Stand

Across Africa, Hands at Work has seen a sharp increase in childhood marriage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as families are desperate to have some sense of financial security. Zimbabwe is no exception.

My Calling - Audrey Zingwe
My Calling - Audrey Zingwe

“I’ve always had a heart for the vulnerable and I don’t believe in coincidences. I feel that God put the pieces of the puzzle together. He put these burdens in my heart and, at the right time, brought the opportunity for me to be useful in His Kingdom….”

My Calling - Barbra Teiwa
My Calling - Barbra Teiwa

At that point I was a Christian and was going to the Apostolic Faith Mission Church. Farai Gunhe (African Volunteer, Zimbabwe) was my youth leader, along with another lady, which is when I started hearing about Hands at Work and the work that Farai was involved with. He did invite me to join but I just didn’t think I had the gifts it took to serve the most vulnerable. However, it encouraged me when Farai kept pursuing me – he must have seen something in me.

An Urgent Call to Prayer – In the Wake of Cyclone Idai
An Urgent Call to Prayer – In the Wake of Cyclone Idai

Late last week and through the weekend Cyclone Idai hit South Eastern Africa. What initially looked like a bad storm has turned into disaster for tens of thousands of people, affecting Malawi first with floods, then Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

It is said to be the worst ever weather related disaster to strike the southern hemisphere according to the UN. 

Darkness Has Not Overcome It (AU)
Darkness Has Not Overcome It (AU)

Throughout the past few weeks I have had a number of opportunities to walk alongside our African brothers and sisters as they tirelessly fight for justice (making wrong things right) in their own communities. I have witnessed them being Jesus’ hands and feet. Running headlong into the darkness. Bringing the true ‘light’ to the darkest of places.

Meet Kamali
Meet Kamali

As the Care Workers invested into her life, Kamali has learned how to trust and interact with others. The deeper the Care Workers have invested into her life, the more that they have been able to find out about her story.

My Calling - Prudence Muronzi
My Calling - Prudence Muronzi

At Hands at Work, our volunteers are called by God from all over the world to serve the most vulnerable in Africa. Each of us has a unique story of how we were transformed when we stepped out in faith and were obedient to His call. Prudence shares her story and the journey that has led her to fully trust and serve in South Africa.