Meet the Team 2025 - Nick

 

Hi, I’m Nick and I am looking forward to being part of the team going out to Africa this year.

As a member of the Country Fayre team, I remember Chris Parker, sometime ago, suggesting ‘Hands at Work’ as a chosen charity for that year.  Since then,  we as a parish, have forged the partnership with them.

For me, to make contact with Mafambisa is something I had wished to do, but due to my father’s illness, I felt I was unable to be away, whilst he was alive.  Dad and I spoke about the opportunity and I travel to Africa knowing that he knew I intended to go at some point in the future.

Throughout my Christian life in St Andrew’s parish,  it has been to serve God, whether it be in the Church or through volunteering with Scouting and involvement with the Biggleswade Community.

The trip to Africa, for me, will be to see the work that Hands at Work do and for me to be able to offer my support to them at the Community point and beyond.

I am happy to join the St Andrew’s team and make a connection with the care workers and children that we pray for week by week,

Having raised monies to build the community building and a new toilet block, through Neptune Cub Pack, it will be great for me to see these building and to see the difference that it has made to their community.

Please pray for me and all the team as we travel to Africa to do God’s work.

Meet the Team 2025 - Noah

 Hi I am Noah, This year will be my first time going out to South Africa, although over the years I have been involved with many fundraiser events to support teams going out to South Africa.

I have also heard the amazing stories and experiences that teams have had, with both my parents and 3 other siblings having gone out with teams in the past. I am a student paramedic who is due to graduate in 2026. As part of my course I have had the privilege to help people at some of their worst moments in their lives and providing people of all ages with care and compassion.

I am very excited to see that amazing work which is going on in the communities we visit and hope to meet some of the people that I have heard so much about over the years. I have known the team mates for a long time with one of the team being a life long role model.

Meet the Team 2025 - Rachel

 

Hi, I am Rachel and this is my first time going to South Africa. I have been to fundraising events in the past for teams going to Africa. I have read and heard so many stories from others who have been so I am very excited to see what goes on in the communities and how it all works. I’ve heard so many positive things about what it’s like there in regard to faith and the connection to god and I am looking forward to see the communities ways of worshipping God.

I am just about to finish college where I studied health and social care at level 3 and I aim to be a British Sign Language Interpreter in the future.

Meet the Team 2025 - Adam

 Hello I’m Adam, I am heading out to South Africa again this year as part of the St Andrews Team, This will be my second time visiting Hands at Work in South Africa.

I am going for a slightly shorter trip than the rest of the team but having been before i will be able to really engage with the experience again and get myself in the right headspace.

I am really looking forward to hopefully revisiting Mafambisa as well as getting to experience new Care points, I also can’t wait to reintegrate within the community of The Hands Hub which i really engaged and connected with on my last visit, engaging with the care workers, Service centre team and Long term volunteers.

I am looking forward to revisiting South Africa and again strengthening my own connection with faith and also revisiting the communities and the incredible people once again.

Meet the 2025 Team - Oliver

 Hello, I'm Oliver and I am heading out as a leader of the 2025 Africa team and I am also a Hands at Work Advocate for St Andrew's. This will be my 3rd visit to Hands at Work in South Africa, although I haven't been for 6 years so very much looking forward to returning.

I am a Paediatric Nurse by profession and work in the Emergency Department so am very used to the unexpected and ever changing situations so am very used to the unpredictability of our community visits.

I am most excited to see the changes that have taken place over the past 6 years within our partner community of Mafambisa since my last visit and to see familiar faces that I remember from my other visits and that we have heard about in the blogs over the last few years. I very much looking forward to being able to support these children and care givers throughout our days in community and to see and support new members of our congregation witness these different communities is something I feel very honoured to be apart of.

Look out for more introductions over the next few weeks.

Mafambisa Team 2025!!

The time has come for us to start announcing our 2025 Team!

Look out for our updates over the next couple of weeks to meet our Team members. Team 2025 consists of some returners as well as some newbies who have never been to Hands at Work before. Team preparations are underway and planned to ensure that everyone is prepared for what undoubtably will be another amazing trip!