“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
— Hebrews 10:24

Could We partner with Hands at Work?

Thank you for considering a partnership with Hands at Work in Africa. We appreciate there is lots to think about and you will need to discuss this with others in your organisation.

Here are some questions and statements to discuss with your leadership team or congregation to help you discern whether a partnership is right for you.

Questions

  • What is God stirring in our hearts as we learn about Hands at Work?

  • Does this fit with our vision for mission and justice – caring for the poor and the vulnerable?

  • How might this partnership help our church grow in global discipleship and understanding of the Body of Christ?

  • What kind of capacity (time, energy, funds) do we have to offer?

  • Who in our church might feel passionate about championing this? How can we make this partnership something the whole church feels connected to?

  • What would we hope to gain, give, and learn in this relationship?

  • How can we build this into the life of our church in a sustainable and joyful way?

  • Are we open to learning from the Church in Africa – and not just giving, but receiving?

  • Are we prepared to take shared responsibility for safeguarding as part of a partnership with Hands at Work, ensuring we have appropriate policies and practices in place?

Statements

We care deeply about vulnerable children, justice, and holistic mission

We want to partner in ways that are relational, not just financial

We value local leadership, dignity, and long-term transformation

We want to walk with a trusted organisation who shares real stories from the ground

We believe in the power of prayer, community, and mutual encouragement

We’re looking for more than a project – we want partnership

We recognise safeguarding as a shared responsibility within partnership, and are committed to creating safe environments for children, young people, and adults at risk.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
— James 1:5

What are the elements of a Healthy Partnership?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • While most of our current partners are churches, anyone can get involved. You might be part of a school, a community group, a business, or a group of friends - everyone is welcome.

  • Partnership is about walking together in relationship. We ask partners to:

    • Pray regularly for the community they are partnered with and for Hands at Work in general

    • Consider giving financially (whatever the amount) to the Three Essential Services of food, basic health care and access to education

    • Advocate by sharing the story and vision of Hands at Work with others – we ask each partnership to nominate a lead Advocate to be the main point of contact

    • Stay engaged with Hands at Work

    • Consider how the most vulnerable in your own community are being cared for.

    Some partners choose to take part in visits to Africa and host events – but we appreciate this isn’t possible for everyone.

  • We ask each partnership to be represented at our online Advocate meetings where we share stories, news, information and resources about Hands at Work, and build community in the UK to support and encourage one another. These take place around five times a year.

    There is an UK annual Gathering that takes place every Autumn that we’d love your partnership to attend.

  • No, please feel free to give within your means – we value every gift. Some partners give monthly, others annually, and some as one-off contributions.

  • It costs around £20 a month to provide a child with the Three Essential Services of food, basic health care and access to education.

  • You can find out more about the Hands at Work model, including the Three Essential Services here.

  • This varies from partner to partner. Some churches or groups collect donations centrally and send a lump sum monthly, quarterly, or annually to Hands at Work. Others ask individuals to donate directly to Hands at Work UK, either through standing orders or one-off payments. We can support you in finding the model that works best for you.

  • Account Name: Hands at Work in Africa, UK
    Sort Code: 30-93-75
    Account Number: 01054895
    IBAN Code: GB82TSBS30937501054895
    Bank: TSB Bank plc (Halesowen Branch)

    Reference: 3ES (If there is a specific community you wish to support, please include the name here)

  • We ask partners to prioritise giving towards the Three Essential Services as this is the foundation of our work and the greatest ongoing need.

    However, there are other ways to give, and we’re happy to talk through these with you:

    • Community Investment Projects: These may include building a Life Centre or toilets, drilling a borehole, or constructing a home for a vulnerable family. If a need like this arises in your partner community, we’ll discuss it with you. You may be invited to fundraise towards the cost, but there is no pressure to do so.

    • Crisis Appeals: From time to time, crises such as cyclones, severe drought, or war, impact our communities. When this happens, Hands at Work may issue a specific appeal for urgent support. Partners are welcome to respond, but again, there is no obligation.

    • Other Giving Opportunities: Some partners choose to give towards programming costs in Africa, support long-term volunteers, or give to our General Fund, which enables us to respond flexibly wherever the need is greatest.

    We’d be glad to speak with you about these options and help you find what’s right for you and your partnership.

  • If you are a UK taxpayer, your donations may be eligible for Gift Aid, which allows us to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give, at no extra cost to you. You can find our online Gift Aid form here or a paper version to print and return to us here.

  • We will help in matching you with a community based on need and relational fit. This could be a community across any of the eight countries where Hands at Work serves: DRC, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

  • We intentionally invite partners to focus on one community, to encourage depth of relationship, continuity, and meaningful engagement over time. This allows you to journey closely with the local Care Workers and children, understand their stories, and build a lasting connection.

    In some cases, long-term partners with increased capacity may explore supporting a second community, but our priority is always to strengthen the relationship with one community first.

  • Partnerships are intended to be long-term. We believe that consistent, faithful relationship over time brings the greatest impact - both for the community in Africa and for you as a partner.

    Each community’s journey is unique, but the goal is for communities to grow in strength and resilience, eventually reaching a point where they can graduate - meaning they are able to sustain the Three Essential Services without ongoing support from Hands at Work. This is always the hope for our communities.

    When a community reaches this stage, it’s a reason for great celebration. We’ll walk with you through that transition and help you explore the possibility of partnering with another community.

  • Yes, it is likely that more than one partner will support each community. Where possible, we will link up partners to connect with one another and celebrate what God is doing through your shared partnership.

  • We encourage visits from partners to their partnered community in Africa. These visits are always done from a place of long-term partnership, and under the direction of our local teams to ensure that visits are meaningful and respectful.

  • Through the various ways there are to engage with Hands at Work, we hope that access to news, updates, stories and photographs will help you to share the vision and impact of Hands at Work. You will receive two Community Narrative Reports a year, and will receive ‘On the Ground’ updates regularly throughout the year for your community. Participating in the Advocate meetings will give you lots of ideas for how to share, plus you will be given access to an “Advokit” full of useful resources. People from across the Hands at Work UK family would also be happy to speak at your church or group if that would be helpful.

  • If you’re interested in becoming a partner, we’d love to chat! Contact us to set up a short call to hear more about you and share a bit about Hands at Work. We can then explore what partnership might look like for you or your community.

  • If you have any other questions, please contact Becci becci.leung@uk.handsatwork.org

    We’d love to hear from you.