The Story of Maonde Community
For people living in the community of Maonde, alcohol abuse, traditional healing practices, HIV/AIDS and a lack of clean water are a few of the many challenges that they face. In 2008, Jonathan, a local pastor, saw the need to support his community and care for the large number of vulnerable children. Jonathan invited and mobilised people from the community to join him in answering God’s call to care for the most vulnerable.
150 Children currently supported
17 Care Workers Coordinated by Charity
Basic Services Started in 2013
30 KM from the DEDZA Local Office
In 2011, Jonathan met Hands at Work in Africa and together, they encouraged and challenged seven local churches to care for their community. It was through their mobilisation of the local church that the Chisomo Community Based Organisation (CBO) was born in 2013. Hands at Work provided training for the Chisomo CBO volunteers and assisted them in building up the CBO. While the work began with a handful of people, there are now 18 Care Workers who care for the most vulnerable children in their community. Initially caring for 50 children and supporting them with a hot, nutritious meal daily and access to education and basic health care, this number has increased to 150 children.
The Care Point is a safe place where the children can come to receive their daily meal as well as emotional and spiritual support from the Care Workers. Regularly, the Care Workers visit the children in their homes, ensuring that they are being holistically cared for and bringing support to the whole family. Additionally, the Chisomo CBO has an afterschool programme at the Care Point where Care Workers help the children with their homework.
For a number of years, the Maonde Care Point was located out of a government structure that was previously used for cows. At the end of 2017, the Chisomo CBO was given a piece of land to call their own. This was a huge encouragement and an answer to prayer. With the land that they were given, the Care Workers took responsibility and began to plan and build a temporary structure. Members of the community provided support in clearing the land and supplying material to build a temporary shade structure for the children to eat under. Throughout 2019 and 2020, a Care Point building was officially constructed and a new secure toilet was completed, ensuring the health and hygiene of the most vulnerable children.
Meet Deena
Ever since Deena* was identified as among the most vulnerable and invited to the Life Centre in 2018, local Care Worker Cecelia has been fostering a good relationship with her and her family. Regularly, Cecelia visits them in their home, bringing Christ-like support, encouragement and help when needed. However, life has not always held this same hope. There was a time not long ago when Deena’s mother, Lita*, did not know how or even if her children would eat. When her husband passed away in 2017, the responsibility of caring for the family fell on Lita. To provide for them, Lita tries to find odd jobs in the community but this does not provide enough for even basic necessities. Thankfully, they are no longer alone and Deena and her siblings can receive a hot, nutritious meal daily, relieving the burden Lita was carrying alone.
The local Hands at Work team in Lobi currently supports five 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 Chisomo. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.
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