Areas in Mozambique being impacted by Hands at Work

THE CRISIS + HOW WE BEGAN

As Mozambique has transitioned from a post-conflict country after suffering through a 16-year civil war to one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, the rapid expansion is limited to the area around Maputo, the capital city, resulting in people living in extreme poverty, desperately trying to survive. Yearly, entire communities face a season of hunger when their food supply runs out. Limited progress has been achieved in improving water and sanitation and alleviating hunger and malnutrition. In particular, women and girls are especially vulnerable with many turning to prostitution as their means of survival. 

Hands at Work began working with local churches and leaders in a community called Macadeira in 2011 by gathering the churches and demonstrating the heart of Christ to see His church united together in caring for the most vulnerable people. To overcome their lack of material possessions, the churches are being trained to see the strength of combining resources and working across denominational lines. They were also challenged to get deep into the lives of the poorest children, sharing their burdens and providing love, support and mentorship to address the enormous challenges they face daily. Since then, Hands at Work’s ministry in Mozambique has continued to grow and develop as local volunteer Care Workers and church leaders have caught the vision and model and committed their lives to serving the most vulnerable children ensuring that they are holistically cared for. 

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 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 Alisha

Alisha* is one of the most vulnerable children we care for in Gobogobo Community, Mozambique. In 2020, Alisha’s* father passed away and his wife was suddenly left on her own with five children to provide and care for. Overwhelmed and alone, she moved back to Chigodole, the village she grew up in. Between raising five children and working in the fields, Alisha’s mother could not do it alone, but thankfully the Care Workers from Tariro CBO stepped in. The Care Workers welcomed Alisha and all her siblings to the Care Point, which offered great relief to the family!

Population: 33, 956, 560

Percentage of people living in extreme poverty: 67%

Number of children (0 to 14) living with HIV/AIDS: 150, 000

Number of children (0 to 17) who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS: 1, 300, 000

Life Expectancy: 62 (F) | 56 (M) 

Country Rating (out of 187) the Human Development Index: 185

– Sources: UNAID, UNDP, World Poverty Clock

BE INSPIRED BY OTHER STORIES FROM MOZAMBIQUE
Sowing Spiritual Seeds
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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are experiencing unique but shared struggles across all of our countries, both in Africa and around the world. We have prayerfully sought God in Bible stories that shed light on the challenging circumstances that people are facing.

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….”

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

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

Meet Miguel
Meet Miguel

Miguel’s mother, Alima*, cares for Miguel and his three siblings alone. There was barely any money for food, let alone school fees. Even the barren soil around her home seemed to be against her, preventing her from growing a garden and on many days, the family went hungry.

Growth in Germany
Growth in Germany

We are grateful for the amazing support that we have seen growing in our church and surrounding communities. We have not only seen God’s hand in this but we have witnessed a deep appreciation for what Hands at Work is doing. Through regular visits and strong relationships, people have realised the love and trustworthiness that Hands at Work is based upon and therefore are willing to support the work with their finances and prayers.


Worshipping God
Worshipping God

Listen to collection of worship songs from across Africa and join in worshipping God together.


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Meet Xiluva

At 10 years old, Xiluva* has faced challenges that no child should ever have to face. When her father passed away in 2010, Xiluva was living with her mother and three siblings in Mudzidzi, Mozambique. When her mother remarried in early 2016, she took the children to the community of Macadeira and abandoned them with their ageing grandmother, Orpa*. Xiluva’s world fell apart.

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!

Healing in Mozambique
Healing in Mozambique

For the past four years, Chumai has suffered from epilepsy. His mother decided to return to her family because she could not deal with Chumai’s illness or those of the rest of the family, including Chumai’s father. A few months after leaving her children, Chumai’s mother remarried. Tragically Chumai’s father, Joaquim, died after falling from a platform used to dry maize cobs.

Bringing Good News (MOZ)