Wednesday - Siyathuthuka

Day 3

The day started with Service Centre Orientation led by Audrey giving us a further opportunity to understand the work of Hands at Work when in the communities and the roles of the workers, We then travelled to Siyathuthuka for our third visit. It was Care Worker Encouragement Day. We participated in a group circle where we were treated to some traditional African singing and dancing led by the Care Workers. Vivienne and Vaughan then led a prayer session bringing their own personal thoughts and feelings to support the work of the Care Workers. This included giving the Care Workers the opportunity for prayer requests; one of the Care Workers requested that we pray for her daughters to succeed at school. This part of the day was another opportunity to get to know each other and build relationships.

The Care Workers were treated to a manicure and massage by some of our team as a sign of appreciation for all their hard work.

There was another opportunity to spend some more quality time with the children who appear to love the attention and affection we, as visitors, offer. With no toys to play with Mark, Clive and Vaughan set about building a house with whatever they could find from the surrounding area. The children embraced this time and got stuck in.

As more children arrived at the Care Point we were given further opportunities to engage and play with them. Clive showed a small group of children a dice game which provided much fun along with the opportunity to share their maths skills.

Later, Alice introduced the children to various parachute games which created much fun and laughter for the children and adults alike.

A meal of pap, chicken feet and sauce was served and gratefully received by all even some of the more apprehensive of us sampled the chicken feet.

As we travelled back to the Hands 'village' we reflected on our own relative wealth compared to he people we have met and how we often take this for granted when others have so little.

We are looking forward to tomorrows visit to another community.

Tuesday - Siyathuthuka

    The day started with Ladies Prayer which was in the chapel, we talked about how sometimes we make the wrong choices, and had we waited we may have chosen differently. We then joined the men who had prepared our breakfast on the veranda, which we enjoyed together.

    We then set off to Siyathuthuka, our partner community, where the plan to start the day by joining the care workers for a worship session, was delayed due to thunder, lightening and much- welcomed rain.






The time was not wasted as the mobile clinic had come for it's monthly visit and we got to experience the encouraging sight of a seemingly unending line of  Mums, babies and toddlers awaiting their turn.





As the weather cleared we joined together for our worship session, led by Floyd and Audrey the Coordinators, which included introductions, prayers, singing and dancing (Suzie, Chris, Claire, Alice and Vaughan!!!)

Now it was time for our first Home Visit! This involves visiting those who care for vulnerable people within their community. Floyd took us to visit Gina, who together with her 3 year old twin sons and an older son, shares the house with eight others. One of these is a sixteen year old boy with TB whose situation was causing particular concern to the care workers. They listened to the issues and have put an action plan in place.

On our return the children were arriving at the Care Point and while Suzie helped with the plating of the pap, boiled cabbage, and shredded beetroot (made by Alice), Vivienne joined in with the children's worship session. The children enjoyed generous portions and we got to try the food, which everyone agreed was very tasty.

All too soon it was time for us to leave and return to the Hub where our delicious evening meal was ready for us.

By Suzie and Vivienne

                            

Monday 25th - Siyathuthuka

The day started very early for the male members of the team with a seven o'clock  discussion based meeting centred on the first few verses of Genesis. The ladies were allowed a lie in.
We were then treated to some magnificent singing when the team along with a team from Germany and all of the Hands volunteers met together for prayers and worship.

Following a late breakfast we readied ourselves for our trip to the community of Siyathuthuka.
Some of us were feeling anxious, but were soon put at ease when we were launched into the life of the care centre by helping out with watering the salad crop in the vegetable plot.

Soon the pre-school children realised that they had some new playmates and made the most of the willing volunteers; balancing on tyres, throwing and catching and kicking tennis balls. This left the care workers to concentrate on cooking the meal for the older children, when they returned from school.

Gradually the numbers increased as first of all the younger school children and then the high school pupils arrived at the centre. Suddenly there were over seventy children who joined in with adhoc activities whilst waiting to be fed.

Today's meal consisted of a kind of cassoulet made from mixed beans and yam. Like growing children every where the plates were soon empty. We thoroughly enjoyed our small portions and were reminded of scout camp with the layer of dried beans that still clung to the sides of the pot, when all had been served.

Sadly we then had to leave to journey back to the Hands centre to reflect on the day.

Blogged by Chris and Clive.

Sunday - Arrivals

So here we are, not only in South Africa, but actually in White River and more precisely and unexpectedly in the Hands village itself two days early! How's that for ahead of schedule! The flight was good, arrival OK, and onward journey by promptly arriving minibus reasonably smooth.  On the way we noticed the contrasting housing close to the airport and then on the outskirts of Johannesburg, the huge areas of mining, logging, some horticulture with irrigation but generally a very parched landscape.

Stopping briefly by this oasis... actually a service station, we appreciated the (captive) wild-life and welcome food/drinks. 

Our arrival about 13:00 at the African School of Mission was something of a surprise to them... so after some discussions and phone calls we discovered that, Hands could, after all manage to take us in early... Our briefing a few minutes ago just confirmed the hand of God in guiding those here to prepare our rooms yesterday instead of, as originally planned, tomorrow, so all was in place for us to be able to come straight here and avoid further packing and unpacking.

We were able to unpack, freshen up and do a walk round led by our experienced team members, culminating in a brief but moving prayer session in the chapel.  We've had a wonderfully warm welcome from all the team members here who, as we proceeded rushed out of their homes to welcome us all.  What a super start.

We were then (in my case only just!) able to walk down to ASM where we were treated to a delicious meal... then back here for the welcome and first orientation session... now early to bed for some and we'll follow soon. 

Blogged by Vaughan

And we're off!

We all met at Church at 11:30 for the weighing of the bags and to distribute various items and gifts for Siyathuthka. We posed for a last minute picture and after saying our goodbyes we jumped into the cars. Thanks so much to Gavin, Dan and David for driving us and our luggage! After a slow journey to Terminal 5 we have taken up residence awaiting check-in! Thank you to all those that came to our commissioning service yesterday and you will hear from us again from South Africa!

Introduction to the 2016 Team

Alice Parker


Hi, my name is Alice Parker and I currently live and work in London as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and Inclusion Teacher. I have been a member of Kings Cross Church in the heart of London for the last five years where I lead a small group and kids church. The vision of my Church is... 

'to recklessly give ourselves away to God, each other and the people of King's Cross and beyond.' 

I think for me this vision is not only that of Kings Cross Church but of how I want to live my life...I want to be able to love recklessly, give my time recklessly and to share God's love recklessly and to build a community around me that shares this vision. 

The above vision for me sums up what going to Africa at the end of the month is about -although it would be lovely to, it isn't about trying to provide homes for the 53 million orphans across the continent nor is it about building a well and ensuring that people have clean water to drink. These are essential and vitally important but it is about me/us giving time and encouragement to local African communities working on the front-line day in and day out and supporting what they are already doing. It is about stepping out of our comfort zone and being challenged to look beyond our front doorstep!  

For those of you that know me well, will know that South Africa holds a particular space in my heart and has done for a while. I had the privilege of visiting the charity "Hands at Work" last year with 'The Room' and was blown away by the love and joy for God and each other that every person we encountered radiated! 

I am looking forward to being able to share God's Love and Grace with the different people we meet in South Africa and having the opportunity to walk alongside and pray for them. I have no doubt that I am going to find it challenging and difficult at times and my faith will be tested but then if we are going to love recklessly and share God's love recklessly then I also know that God will be there every step of the way cheering us all on!! 

There is so much more to experience, be challenged by and to fall in love with... Let the adventure begin!!!! 

Introduction to the 2016 Team

Claire McDonnell

Hi my name is Claire and along with some other members of this years team I attend St Andrews Church, Biggleswade and will be travelling the  to South Africa.

I currently work as a music teacher at Northampton School for Boys.

This will be my second trip to South Africa with Hands at Work. Last years trip with 'The Room' was so rewarding and helped me to grow and develop my own faith as well as helping our young people along their journey of faith.

I wanted to do more to help, we became advocates of Hands within our church and the wide community. We also volunteered to Hands Uk to help spread the message of Hands in the UK, and were asked to join the Core Team.

This year I am excited to be embarking on this new adventure together with a new team and again sharing God's love with the communities that we will meet. I hope and pray that our team will again learn so much from these communities and that we can make a difference to there lives, even by the tiniest amount, by the care and compassion we are all prepared to give, and by the love that God has taught us.