The Story of Mutoyo Community

Located to the east of the neighbouring town of Chisamba, Mutoyo is a community facing many challenges. With no formal means of employment, people in Mutoyo rely heavily on farming or finding odd jobs in the community to survive. Food instability is a big issue. There is no clinic, and though there is a community school, it is more than 2 kms away. Major strongholds in Mutoyo include prostitution, as many women see no other option for survival and to provide for their families, and the belief in witchcraft.

50 Children currently supported

25 Care Workers Coordinated by Florence

Basic Services Started in 2025

15 km from the CHISAMBA Local Office

For years, local pastor Peter - who also serves with the Hands at Work Zambia Regional Support Team (RST) - has been a member of the area development committee and Chisamba council. Being on the committee and council, he was aware of what was happening in Mutoyo and the situation that people were living in. And so, when Hands at Work was looking to expand in the Chisamba area in 2024, he shared with other leaders about Mutoyo. When the local Hands at Work team in Chisamba and the Zambia RST first visited the community, they met a local woman named Florence. They learned that, when resources allowed, Florence would give her own food to the most vulnerable and malnourished children in her community. Moved by her heart of compassion, the Chisamba team started walking with Florence and visiting the families in their homes.

Together, they began to mobilise the local church leaders, sharing the vision of Hands at Work and challenging them in their biblical mandate to care for the orphan and the widow. From this mobilisation, the church leaders identified people who had a heart to serve and could become volunteer Care Workers. After facilitating a Foundations Training, where they shared the vision of Hands at Work, the Mutoyo Community Based Organisation was officially established in 2025 and started supporting 50 of the most vulnerable children. Currently, the children are being served out of Florence’s home, but there are plans to establish an independent Care Point in the near future.

The local Hands at Work team in Chisamba currently supports six 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 Mutoyo. It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors. 

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