Orientation Program
You will begin your time with Africa with a seven week orientation and placement period.
For the first three weeks, this will be spent in South Africa. Through a combination of class room style sessions and time in the communities we work in, you will learn and understand our vision, values and structure.
For the following four weeks, you will be placed with one of Hands at Work’s local offices in various countries to serve and support them, and learn more about what they do. Following this combined seven week orientation period, you will be placed in a longer term role.
As a volunteer, we ask that you come with an open heart and a willingness to serve in whatever way is needed. Volunteers serving with Hands at Work are able to come alongside local leaders, encouraging and supporting them and our local communities by giving of themselves in a humble way, with a servant’s heart. The metaphor we use to describe our volunteers working in community projects across southern Africa is “scaffolding" - temporary, yet essential. The goal is to be a part of a team in which you learn to support and care for as they lead the way in effectively caring for the poor and vulnerable while supporting local ownership and sustainability.
BE INSPIRED BY REFLECTIONS FROM a past ORIENTATION GROUP
“Serving in Africa has been an opportunity to learn more about the importance of relationships, love and what it means to serve. Seeing the relationships between the children and their Care Workers has taught me a lot. It demonstrates that these children aren’t simply another number on the attendance register at the Care Point, but rather they are loved, cared for and known by name, just as the Bible tells us. We love because He first loved us. It has been a challenge both spiritually and emotionally. I am learning to truly appreciate what I do have, not taking it for granted. I look forward to what God has in store for the remainder of the year as I continue to grow in my walk with Christ.”