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July 27, 2023
“We moved to Sunbury Baptist Church in 2014, where some of our members had fairly recently begun to engage with Hands at Work. The interest and involvement quickly spread through the church and, in 2016, we officially began to partner with Hands, supporting Sommerset community in South Africa. What a blessing this has been to us. Where do I start!! We have been regularly sending teams to Africa since that time, which has been transformative for some. We have a number of people who have also gone for longer periods. The church community has embraced the work, journeying with those who have visited, praying for Care Workers and children by name, and giving.
Rachel and Phil McLaughlin have inspired us with their dedication, support and keeping us informed and connected. Visits to Australia from George and Carolyn, the co-founders of Hands at Work, have also been a great encouragement, inspiration and challenge to be authentic as Christians, and not give up caring for the poor. There has been a significant increase in caring for the poor in our own community too – all part of God’s commission to us to represent Jesus in all that we do and say.”
- Dawn Craig, Global Outreach Mission Co-ordinator and Hands at Work Advocate at Sunbury Baptist Church, Australia.
June 2, 2023
Though Silas’ life is challenging, he is no longer alone. He belongs at the Care Point where he is free to play with the other children, and knows he can count on having a hot, nutritious meal daily. Silas is growing in his understanding of God, and is active in encouraging the other children to participate in studying Hands at Work’s monthly bible stories. - Sommerset Community, South Africa
July 30, 2022
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Pictured is the community garden for the Primary Caregivers in Sommerset Community, South Africa. It is exciting to see the vision for these gardens coming alive!
September 18, 2022
Pictured here are the under-fives in Sommerset Community, South Africa, having a nap - an essential aspect of their routine and providing the rest they need to grow and develop.
July 4, 2022
Every day 18-year-old Elizabeth and her daughter come to the Care Point, where they are known by name and receive holistic care. Recently, Elizabeth was invited to a youth camp, facilitated by the Hazyview Hands at Work team. She was joined by other youth from Sommerset and Welverdiend communities and, at the camp, she heard the story of how Jesus’ love changes lives and received His salvation. A testimony to God’s faithfulness was then seen as Elizabeth got baptised and dedicated her life to following Jesus, and is learning how to better love herself, her daughter and those around her. With the help of Care Workers and the Hazyview team, Elizabeth is growing in her relationship with the Lord. Praise God!
– Sommerset Community, #SouthAfrica
June 20, 2022
Pictured here is Audres, the youth champion from Welverdiend Community, who is committed to investing in the youth, spending time with the youth in Sommerset Community, South Africa, sharing about Jesus and what it means to be a servant leader in their community.
November 12, 2020
For the last several weeks, four boys from Sommerset Community, South Africa, have been participating in a Discipleship and Skills programme. Later this month they will be a part of a week-long Maranatha Workshop, where they will go deeper in hearing about who Jesus is and can be in their lives. Please pray for an openness and willingness to hear God’s word. Pray that God will transform their lives throughout the week and that they will gain a deeper understanding of the depth of God’s love for them.
September 26, 2019
Sommerset Community, South Africa. Life is hard for 10-year-old Unka* and her 7-year-old sister. They live in a one-roomed house and Unka, a child herself, cooks, cleans and fetches water for them both. Their mother sells food in a nearby city and although she comes home for one weekend a month, mostly the two little girls live alone and are extremely vulnerable.
February 4, 2019
In July 2018 there was a youth camp in the community of Sommerset, South Africa, facilitated by the Hands at Work Local Office Team in Hazyview and the Sunbury Baptist Church Team from Australia. Throughout the camp, the youth were taught about Jesus and what it means to be a Godly leader in their community.
July 17, 2018
Thank you, Sunbury Team, for your willingness to serve the most vulnerable children in the community of Sommerset, South Africa, and for the impact that you had on their youth in the last few weeks.
October 1, 2017
Craig Rebro (International Volunteer, US) meet with Japhet Nxumalo, the man of peace from Sommerset Community and shared his story:
“As we sat under a shade tree to avoid the hot African sun, I gained insight into what it is like to be a leader in a desperately vulnerable community. This humble man shared with me about his God-appointed role and as we discussed the topic of what a man of peace is, he told me “a man of peace is a person who stands in front of the people; leading well. The people don’t complain when there is good leadership.” He explained that a huge challenge he faces is not having the resources to help when there is a need. I observed a man with a deep conviction to be someone with incredible integrity in the face of opposition. I learned that he was recently in the middle of being persecuted by local leaders because he set up a fund to help pay for funerals for the people in the community. When he was called to a meeting by those wanting a portion of this fund to have for their personal use, seven trucks loaded with women came to support him. As the local leaders arrived, all of the women were singing songs in solidarity with Japhet. The leaders sent him away, seeing the support that he had. As we walked to visit a woman’s home, it was evident that everyone knows Japhet. He told me that “he never quits and never stops” for the people. This unpaid and thankless calling that he has is incredibly humbling once you realise the magnitude of the brokenness in this community. Gentle and soft spoken, Japhet told me that his favourite chapter in the Bible is Psalm 23. He said that it is because God is his protector. Psalm 23, verse 4 says ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.’
Once you read the scripture, it is not surprising that this is Japhet’s favourite. It’s evident to me that a man of peace is someone that everyone in the community can trust and look up to. A man of peace is someone who is selfless, knows that his identity is based on his relationship with the Lord and who puts others before himself.”
The ‘man of peace’ is someone that Hands at Work identifies when first looking to work in a new community. They exemplify characteristics of Jesus in the way that they love and care for the most vulnerable.
April 6, 2017
40 Days of Prayer - Day 32. Pray for the relationships between Care Workers, caregivers, and the children we serve. Many of our Care Workers and caregivers are wounded themselves. Pray for God’s transformational grace and love to heal their inner wounds so that they will in turn pour out grace and love to the children they care for. Pray for unity and peace between these relationships and that God’s love would fill every void left from a damaged relationship.#40Days2017 In the rural community of Sommerset, there is a dedicated volunteer Care Worker named Theresa. It is fitting that her name is Theresa because she serves as a mother figure to the children in this community who do not have mothers. Theresa cares for and visits two children named Joseph* and Maria* who attend the Care Point. Joseph and his sister Maria are frequently left home alone without the proper care and attention that they need. Their mother has been known to disappear and leave the children for weeks at a time. Theresa has stepped in to ensure that they have a safe place to stay in their mothers absence. She has become a mother figure to the children. It has taken time for Joseph to learn to trust Theresa and to open up with her because of his deep inner wounds. Theresa's unfailing commitment to care for the children in her community has earned her the respect and trust of these two children. Now, Joseph is open and feels free to share.
February 6, 2017
Gogo Lusha reflectes on the support that she and her family get at the Care Point in Sommerset Community, South Africa. “I come here to cry and my life is here, if my kids get life here then I also get life here” - Gogo Lusha
January 30, 2017
"It was very special visiting this family for a second time in Sommerset Community, South Africa. I was encouraged to see the relationship that is continuing to build between the Gogo and Audrey, the Hazyview local office coordinator. The Gogo struggles to support her three grandchildren but Audrey is helping and encouraging her amidst the challenges they are facing." - Jen Waspe, International Volunteer (UK)