Stories — Hands at Work in Africa

Canada

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Following her Heart back to Africa (CAN) (SA)

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Christa Roby, a massage therapist in British Columbia, Canada, volunteered with Hands at Work for six months in South Africa in 2010. Two years later, she feels an undeniable pull to return. Read her reflections as she prepares to pack up her life in Canada and follow her heart, and God’s calling, to Africa.

"For me, it's harder to be away from Africa than it is here... It’s where my heart is. After being there so much and having that time with the people there, and seeing someone who has so little, but gives so much, it just becomes something you want to be a part of, something you want to share in...It's raw, it's innocent, and it’s a deeper sense of fulfillment."

Read the rest Christa's reflections on coming back to Africa in the Chilliwack Progress.

"I soon realized that making the decision and actually doing the follow-through are two very distinct acts. But no matter how big the effort to follow-through would be, I knew in my heart I would walk it out."

To raise money for her trip, Christa hosted a charity gala in her hometown. Read about it on the Hands at Work Canada Page.

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Transforming Hearts: The Chongs in South Africa (CAN) (SA)

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Florence and Paul Chong travelled with their three children from Toronto, Canada to South Africa in March 2012. For two weeks, they exposed themselves to life on the other side of the world. Here Florence Chong reflects on "the best experience they have ever had as a family and as individuals."

The Chong family's relationship with Hands at Work was sparked by the eldest of their children, 8-year-old Nathan Chong. Nathan decided that, in lieu of gifts for his birthday, he would raise support for orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa through Hands at Work. He raise $300 CAN for the organization, but not just that, he inspired his family to make the trip to South Africa to see the results of his efforts for themselves.

We had never thought about going to Africa, not even for a vacation. We had always financially supported missions in Africa, but we thought that going there was for the called passionate few.  

Then God moved us by using our 8-year old son Nathan.  It started with Nathan's 7th birthday party. Instead of receiving gifts, he raised a small amount of money for Hands at Work.  From there, God led us into a friendship with Hands at Work. Eventually, God prompted us to take our three children, aged 3, 5, and 8, to visit the Hands at Work Hub in South Africa. Initially, we were hesitant, but God was increasingly clear about His intentions. We knew we’d better obey.

Blessed to Be a Blessing - George in Lloydminster (CAN)

On Tuesday, Jan 17, Hands at Work Africa founder George Snyman commended the students of Lloydminster Comprehensive High School, on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, on their commitment to adopt 50 children in Malawi.

Katie Ryan Photo
By Katie Ryan
Lloydminster Comprehensive High School students are giving children in Africa the gift of choice, according to the founder of Hands at Work Africa.
For two years, LCHS students have fundraised $9,000 to adopt 50 children in Malawi, in conjunction with the non-profit organization Hands at Work Africa, which works in vulnerable communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
And to commend their ongoing efforts and long-distance relationship with the African children, Hands at Work Africa founder George Snyman spoke with students Tuesday morning.
“When a school connects like this, they provide education, they provide basic health and they provide food security, and that allows the children to have choices in life. That’s so huge, it’s hard for us to even grasp the impact that a school like this can have on a whole community,” said Snyman, prior to his presentation to the student body.

George Snyman in Canada (CAN)

Don't miss your opportunity to hear some thoughts, news from Africa and updates from George Snyman, the founder of Hands at Work!

He will be speaking at the Bragg Creek Community Church, Sunday, January 22 at 10am.

If you are in Vancouver he will be speaking at Mission Fest, Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 3:30 in Room 10 of the Vancouver Convention Centre.

See you there!

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2010 Conference Dates

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In the past we have done two conferences, both in South Africa.  An Africa conference with our African service center partners and an international conference with our African partners and many international churches and donors as well. 

This year instead of having the conferences in just South Africa we will be holding four regional conferences that will be open to anyone interested in attending.  The Hands at Work family is growing at a rapid rate which means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get everyone to South Africa.  This means we can bring the conferences closer to home for the Service Centres involved, also allowing our international visitors flexibility and possibly allow them to attend in the country of their interest. In the past we have only been able to have a very small number of community based organizations (CBO) representatives present.  By holding regional conferences it will also enable greater CBO participation and give more people exposure to the vision of Hands at Work. 

The conference schedule is as follows:

South Africa & Swaziland | March 24-27 | Hands at Work in Africa near White River, South Africa

Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo & Malawi | April 15-18 | Luanshya, Zambia

Mozambique & Zimbabwe | April 22-25 | TBD

Nigeria | May 20-23 | Lagos, Nigeria

We are excited about the new opportunities that hosting regional conferences will bring.  All are welcome to come and be a part of the different regional conferences.  If you are interested in attending or helping fund the conferences please contact us at info@handsatwork.org. 

View more of last year's conference in photos

News from Canada

Hands Canada celebrated their first ever National Conference & Banquet in Calgary on November 21, 2009. From the humble beginnings of the five people that Lynn Chotowetz asked to help out a couple of years ago, we had over 120 people at our evening banquet. They came from Parksville, Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Major, Winnipeg, Toronto and Masoyi. Hands Africa's first ever international volunteer, Maggie from Toronto, was in attendance.

We have connected with several new churches and many new volunteers and donors and we had representation  from Westside Kings, First Assembly, Lakeview and St. Martins churches to name a few. The conference itself was