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PCCA Journal|1

st

Quarter 2010

40

A

s many of you may remember, at the 2008

winter convention in Cabo, PCCA members

were introduced to Helping Hands in Africa

(HHIA) at the annual Prayer Breakfast by

its founders, Mike and Michelle Tessendorf.

PCCA members responded to their powerful

message by donating more than $15,000 to this lifesav-

ing work.

Since the 2008 meeting, my wife and I have twice

returned to South Africa and discovered another excit-

ing way to assist Mike and Michelle. They need very

simple concrete buildings for their programs. As I write

this, John Fluharty and I are preparing for a trip to two

villages in South Africa to figure out how to get these

structures built.

The following information is meant to provide a

second look at the work of HHIA and the reasons why

we believe building community centers is an important

next step in helping these children.

HHIA works in extremely poor villages that have

been severely impacted by the AIDS pandemic. Un-

employment in these villages runs as high as 85 to

90 percent, and 50 to 60 percent of the children are

orphaned. Children are raising children as their par-

ents have died and their village lacks structure in how

to deal with such an overwhelming situation. The

most basic human needs in these villages are not met.

Churches are either nonexistent or their leadership is

completely overwhelmed with the enormity of the situ-

ation.

Helping Hands starts ministering in a village by

procuring approval from the local authorities (vil-

lage headsman, village pastors, etc.) to begin their

program(s). Once approval is received, Helping Hands

begins working with the local pastor and church lead-

ers to set up a program for the most pressing need. In

most cases this is a feeding program. Feeding programs

typically start under a tree or in a donated little struc-

ture that has been abandoned. Top right is a picture

of a start-up feeding program in one of the Villages.

Food is served by filling the bowls of the children who

patiently wait in line. Although this picture, which was

taken on a sunny winter day, isn’t all that discourag-

ing, think of these children when it is raining and the

ground is muddy or when it is cold and the wind is

blowing hard or when it is 95 degrees and the sun is

beating down on them. There is no place for them to

get out of the elements to enjoy what for many is their

only meal of the day.

Contrast the picture at the top with the pictures be-

low.The changes are dramatic. Children have a place to

gather to eat and escape the elements when necessary.

There is laughter that rings out from all around the

room. The children know that no matter what the con-

ditions are outside, they will have a meal that can be

eaten in relative comfort. As can be seen, the children

are primarily eating with their hands out of bowls they

Helping Hands in Africa Update

By Herb Fluharty