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