Our Team Africa 2026 Logo — What It Means to Us

This year, Freya, Ben and I designed the Team Africa 2026 logo, and it honestly feels amazing seeing something we created represent our whole team.

We chose every part of the logo for a reason. 

The outline of Africa shows where we’re going and the people we’re going to support. 

The figures around the edge represent the careworkers, the children, and us all connected as one community. 

The cross in the centre reminds us that Jesus is the focus of everything we do. 

The Scottish badge stands for St Andrew’s Church, the place that sends us out and supports us. 

And finally, we included the Bible quote Philippians 4:13  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It’s part of the holiday club song Be Happy, which loads of us grew up singing. It’s one of those verses that sticks with you, especially when you’re nervous or excited about something big. It reminds us that even though we’re young, we’re not doing this alone.

By Jack 

Commissioning Service - Sunday 26th July

Commissioned for Mafambisa: A Moment I Won’t Forget 

On Sunday, something happened that felt bigger than just “getting ready for a trip.” At the end of the service, our team gathered at the front of church for our commissioning and even though I’ve been to South Africa once before, this moment hit differently.

We were asked to say our names out loud. Simple, but powerful. It was like saying, “I’m here. I’m part of this. I’m stepping into something God is calling me to.” Then we made our commitments, to be a whole team, stronger together than any of us are on our own; to be active and sensitive, not just doing tasks but noticing people; to deal with the unexpected (which, if you’ve been before, you know is basically guaranteed); and to go the extra mile with humility, leaving pride behind so we can be open to whatever God wants to show us.

The congregation promised to support us and pray for us. It meant a lot.

Then came the moment that will stay with me: we held out our hands to be anointed with oil. One by one, we said:

Hands to work. Hands to embrace. Hands to give. Hands to receive. Hands to create. Hands to bless.

It was simple, but honestly, it was powerful. Standing there with oil on my hands, I felt the weight of what we’re going to do not heavy, but real. These hands will carry bags, play games with kids, share food, hold someone’s arm when they need support, and maybe even wipe away a tear. They’ll give, but they’ll also receive. They’ll bless, but they’ll also be blessed.

Going back to Mafambisa feels like returning to family. To stand with the community we love, and to keep learning what it means to serve with open hands and an open heart.

This commissioning wasn’t just a moment in a service. It was a reminder of who we are, why we’re going, and the God who goes with us.

And now… we’re ready.

By Carolyn 

 

Meet the team - Alice!

​Hi, I’m Alice, and it is a privilege to be leading this year’s team to South Africa, and in particular to Mafambisa. Although I say "leading", that doesn't quite feel accurate when so many members of the team have played a vital role in getting to this point. Every member of the team plays a part, bringing their own unique gifts, skills, and experiences, and I am incredibly grateful to those who have stepped up to help make this year's trip possible.

This will be my ninth visit to Hands at Work, and in 2023 I also spent time volunteer teaching in a primary school near Durban. South Africa truly feels like a second home to me. I love my job as an Assistant Headteacher and SENCo in London and the privilege of walking alongside vulnerable children and their families. I feel the same sense of purpose and joy whenever I spend time in South Africa and at Mafambisa.

As our team embarks on what has become an annual journey to South Africa, Hands at Work, and Mafambisa over the past decade, I/We do so with mixed emotions.

The joy of the Care Workers and children is enough to fill anyone's cup to overflowing. Their smiles, laughter, and resilience bring happiness to everyone around them. Yet there will also be moments of reflection and sadness as we remember that Chris (Dad) will not be with us. Somehow, though, I know he will still make his presence felt when we least expect it, or perhaps exactly when we do. After all, who else is going to shout "Ramp!" from the bus as we drive to the Care Points, or manage to get nearly every Service Centre and Care Worker name wrong throughout the week?

Over the years, I have visited Mafambisa and Hands at Work with many different teams, and every trip has been unique and special. No two visits have ever been the same, and I believe this year will be no different. God has carefully brought together this year's team: young and not so young, those who have visited many times, those who have come once before, and those experiencing it all for the very first time. What I do know is that this team already feels like an extended family going to visit our extended family in South Africa.

I love to chop the vegetables, particularly the  beetroot! There is something about the way they prepare and cook the beetroot that tastes so good! I love being able to walk alongside the Care Workers, encouraging and supporting them, while also spending time playing, singing, and dancing with the children and seeing how much they have grown from year to year.

Every time I visit, I am blown away by the joy, hope, and love that shines through the Care Points, the Care Workers, the Service Centre staff, and ultimately the children themselves. Mafambisa, along with the other Care Points we have visited and will visit, serves as a beacon of light in communities facing significant challenges. Despite the hardships, the children remain at the heart of everything they do.

As we prepare for this year's trip, my prayers are:

• For safe travels to South Africa and throughout our time visiting the Care Points.
• For our team to encourage, support, and empower the Care Workers and Service Centre staff, and that we may be a blessing to them during the short time we have together.
• For those visiting for the first time to experience God's love, peace, and faithfulness as we journey together.
• For those returning that their faith will be reignited. 
• That every member of the team would hear God's voice, be led by His Spirit, and be transformed through all that we experience over the next two weeks.
• For plenty of fun, laughter, and joy in every part of our trip

Please keep reading our blog, comment if you are able and hold us in your prayers. We love to wake up in the morning and read your comments and encouragements. Thanks for partnering with us on this journey. 

Meet the team - Ben!

Hi, I am Ben and I’m looking forward and excited to go back to South Africa with the team this year. I have been lucky enough to go twice in the past and enjoyed every minute of both trips. 

My two trips to South Africa gave me a different look on Christianity and my faith. The way they pray, preach and come together to enjoy worship inspired me and allowed me to connect closer to God. Even in some of the cruelest times, these people are still able to believe and give their lives to the Lord and celebrate that each day with uplifting songs. 

The second year I went, to see the children and Care Workers in Mafambisa again was something special. As they run up to you shouting your name after 2 years is incredible. Seeing the Care Workers come out of their shells more post Covid taught us all how meaningful these visits are. 

Since I have last been, I have struggled to stay close to God in the business of life after Sixth Form. However, just before I go to University in September, I believe this is a great opportunity for me to go again and relight my relationship with Christ.

Meet the team - Carolyn!

 Returning to Africa: Why This Journey Matters to Me

This is my second trip to Africa, and going back feels just as meaningful as the first time. My first visit, four years ago, was genuinely life‑changing. It opened my eyes to a different pace of life, a different kind of joy, and a community whose strength and warmth stayed with me long after I returned home. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to go back, not just to see familiar faces, but to see how Mafambisa has grown and progressed.

I’m especially looking forward to spending time with the children again and supporting the care workers who give so much of themselves every single day. There’s something about being in Africa that reminds me how simple things can bring real happiness. A smile, a shared moment, a song, a hand held these small things carry so much meaning. Every time I’m there, I’m reminded that life doesn’t need to be complicated to be full.

This trip also feels important for my faith. I’m hoping it brings the same enrichment and fulfilment I experienced before maybe even more. It’s a chance to step away from the rush of everyday life and reconnect with what truly matters.

So as I head back to Africa, I’m carrying all of that with me  the memories, the gratitude, the lessons learned, and the hope for what this next chapter will bring. I’m excited to see how Mafambisa has changed, but I’m also ready for how it might change me again.

Meet the team - Lucy!

Hi, I’m Lucy, married to John, have 4 children who have all been to South Africa over the 10 years of our partnership; this is my 3rd trip to South Africa with Hands at Work and I am very much looking forward to it . Each visit is different and I feel this will be the case this year! I’m sure we will refer to Chris Parker, many , many times and I thank Chris personally for setting up this partnership and sure all who have visited feel privileged to have gone and spent time with those in South Africa, and found their faith deepened in doing so . This will be particularly poignant as we wash the care workers feet on fellowship (previously appreciation) day, on my last 2 trips I sat alongside Chris in completing this powerful and privileged task. 

I am interested in seeing the team at Mafambisa and how the Carepoint has developed since my last trip. I made a personal connection with Kitsewe on my first trip and delighted that she is now the lead amongst the Careworkers at Mafambisa; her situation resonates with me, we share a connection with both having had 4 children and having the gift of hospitality. I am excited to see the children at the care point, I’m sure many familiar faces, it will be good to see how they are developing and see how the Holy spirit is working within that setting and the surrounding community. I look forward to hearing and seeing updates from previous Holy home visits. I’m excited to visit the communities of Pfunani and Seville B this will be my first visit to them, each community have their own characteristics and it will be great to see how these operate. 

I look forward to our team bonding, seeing each person on this journey and excited to see how the Holy Spirit works within each of us whilst in South Africa but also on our return to England. 

Each trip I have taken I have swept leaves at the Mafambisa Care Point, a small therapeutic act which is something the care workers then don’t need to do … I hope they still have a rake ! 

I would be wrong if I didn’t say I am slightly anxious but place the trip in the hands of the Lord who will be with me and us all of the way; please pray for us, read the blog and comment it’s such a support to read them.

Meet the team - Rachel!

Hello, I am Rachel and this will be my second time going to South Africa. I had the opportunity to go last year and I decided to go again as I want to continue building relationships I started making last year and now I have more knowledge of how things are there I think I will be able to get stuck in more. 

I am looking forward to going to two new care points for me Seville B and Pfunani. I have matured so much in the past year and i feel when I was there last year it brought me so much joy and peace and I can’t wait to be able to share my stories of going to South Africa when I come home.