Areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo being impacted by Hands at Work

THE CRISIS + HOW WE BEGAN

Ranking 179th on the Human Development Index, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is plagued by a war in which four million people have died. Rebel attacks continue in parts of the country, fuelled by the developed world selling weapons to the DRC for immense economic resources including diamonds, copper, and cobalt. Thousands of children have been recruited and used by armed groups. 

In early 2001, George Snyman, co-founder of Hands at Work, was in Zambia at a conference, sharing with people who had been called into ministry about the heart of justice. Also, at the conference, was Erick Rukang from the DRC who caught George’s passion and dreamed of getting involved. 

In 2006, a couple who were serving with Hands at Work in South Africa moved to the DRC to start the work in south of the country in Likasi. Though it was hugely challenging, they were able to break ground and start mobilising the local church in communities like Toyota. At that time, Erick, hearing about what they were doing and remembering his time at the conference, wanted to get involved. Initially starting as a Care Worker in Toyota Community - the first community mobilised in the DRC - Erick began to take on more leadership of the growing work as the couple began phasing out. In 2008, Erick transitioned into coordinating the work in the DRC and leading Hands at Work into the next season of expansion into rural communities in the Likasi area and eventually into Goma, located in the north-east of the DRC. 

THE 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 provision of Hands at Work's three essential services of food, education and basic health care provided at Life Centres within their community. Through regular visits to their homes, bible teaching and prayer, children come to know that they are loved by Christ and those who care for them.

MEET Martin

Martin* one of the most vulnerable children we care for in Toyota B Community, DRC. Martin’s father died some years ago, and his mother, Ruth*, has little way to support her four children. Martin was seven years old when the Care Workers discovered the vulnerability of this family. Ruth and Martin’s grandmother, Claudine, are both very grateful for the improvement in the health of the children since they started attending the Care Point. Even Claudine has been impacted and has started serving as a Care Worker in Toyota B, supporting other families as well. Both Ruth and Claudine try to find odd jobs in the community by cleaning rooms at the clinic, as well as working in the field.

Population: 95, 875, 240

Percentage of people living in extreme poverty: 63%

Number of children (0 to 14) living with HIV/AIDS: 60,000

Number of children (0 to 17) who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS: 470,000

Life Expectancy: 62 (F) | 57 (M) 

Country Rating (out of 187) the Human Development Index: 179

– Sources: UNAID, UNDP, World Poverty Clock

BE INSPIRED BY OTHER STORIES FROM THE DRC
Meet Mwete
Meet Mwete

Raising a large family isn’t easy but Mama Safi isn’t alone in caring for Mwete. He has a bigger family of support at the Care Point, with the Care Workers and the other children.

Update: Volcanic Eruption in Goma, DRC
Update: Volcanic Eruption in Goma, DRC

On Saturday evening we heard the news that there was an eruption of the volcano called Mount Nyiragongo, which is situated in Goma. And of course it immediately caused huge panic and people started fleeing into Rwanda immediately, and some people fled to the nearest city outside Goma called Sake.

Meet Tina
Meet Tina

Tina and her siblings were struggling with their health when they were discovered by the local volunteer Care Workers from the Maisha Community Based Organisation (CBO). Initially, Tina couldn’t play, and rarely smiled. Her hair was falling out, her belly was protruding and her feet were swollen; all symptoms that she was severely malnourished.

My Calling - Angel Musoka
My Calling - Angel Musoka

Through serving with Hands at Work, I have learned what it means to forgive. A few years ago, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to forgive my auntie and pray a prayer of forgiveness. I was able to talk with her and release the bitterness and bondage that I had in my heart. Afterwards I felt joy and a new sense of connection with her.

A Vision that Keeps You Coming Back
A Vision that Keeps You Coming Back

I was surprised, moved and thankful for the things that had changed. New additions to the team. New Care Points serving more children than was previously possible. New dreams and imaginative possibilities for partnership with the international church.

Meet Liu
Meet Liu

In February 2017, Emerance, a dedicated local volunteer Care Worker, from the Maisha Community Based Organisation (CBO) was passing by the fields and noticed four young children working in the field and Liu laying lifeless in her great-grandmother’s lap; helpless and severally malnourished. Emerance acted out of compassion and urgency and took the children directly to the Care Point, so they could receive a meal that day. She knew that if they did not eat, there was a possibility that they would not survive.

2017 Watchword Reflections
2017 Watchword Reflections

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need and practice hospitality.” Romans 12:12-13

Several Hands at Work volunteers reflect on how the watchword for 2017 has impacted them:

Care Workers Across Africa
Care Workers Across Africa

Care Workers are the key in bringing healing and transformation to the lives of our children. They are men and women from the local churches within our communities who recognize their Biblical mandate and answer their call to care for the most vulnerable children. They demonstrate what it means to give freely, love unconditionally, and sacrifice everything. Often, Care Workers face their own traumas and live in dire poverty, just as the children they care for do, but their determination to persevere and care despite their own circumstances challenges everyone they come into contact with. They are greatest in the Kingdom of God!

A Miracle - Praise
A Miracle - Praise

Just a few weeks ago, Blessings had the opportunity to return to the DRC and visit Praise again. He shares an update about him and says, “This year Praise turned three. Last year when I met him, he was very sick – at two years old he was not able to stand on his own. I had very little hope that he would make it in life. We surrounded him with prayer and interceded, but I still had little hope, and doubt overwhelmed my heart.

Praise
Praise

Praise’s grandmother Bertha began caring for him, but she was desperately poor and trying to survive. Praise was hungry - continually crying. People in the community said he would die and tried to put ritual charms around him but Bertha refused and knew God would provide. After her husband passed away many years ago, she said she learned to trust God throughout any hardship.