May 2026 / Further down the road visiting Chibuli Community
Today's destination was Chibuli Community.
A little further down the road, than Mount Moriah.
Chibuli is what hope looks like in action.
Further along in its journey with Hands at Work, this community is actively working towards graduation, a milestone of the model at which a community no longer needs external support to take care of it's most vulnerable. This looks like a community that generates it's own income, trains its own care workers, and provides food security, not because an outside organisation is funding it, but because the community itself has taken full ownership of its own care.
In action this looks like the local church being mobilised, families being supported, and the most vulnerable children are being cared for from within.
It is the ultimate goal of everything Hands at Work works towards and Chibuli is well on its way. Having been supported through Hands at Work for around 20 years, Chibuli is a living example of what long-term investment and community ownership can produce.
Throughout the community, you could see the fruit of that journey, livestock, a millet grinder, and other income-generating initiatives established within the Hands at Work model, all working to draw money into the community and strengthen its long-term financial sustainability.
Compared to Mt Moriah Community, there were fewer children present, but many of the children who attended were wearing school uniforms. This was another powerful reminder of the work Hands at Work does beyond immediate care.
Education is deeply valued, and Hands at Work helps fund school uniforms so children are able to attend local schools and receive an education. As children slowly gathered into the community, we spent time playing and interacting with them before eventually moving into the main centre for worship and introductions.
The worship time was once again incredibly beautiful. The harmonies, the dancing, the clapping, and the voices alone created such powerful worship without the need for elaborate production or instruments. It was a reminder that worship at its core is simply people offering themselves wholeheartedly to God.
After worship, we split into three groups to undertake Holy Home Visits, where we visited some of the care workers and parental care givers (PCGs) within the community.
Each home carried its own story and circumstances, and through hearing from the caregivers we were able to gain a much clearer understanding of both the hardships and resilience present within the community. More importantly, it gave us the opportunity to sit with people, pray for them, encourage them, and remind one another that we are brothers and sisters together in God’s kingdom.
Ephesians 2:19 — "You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household."
After the visits, we returned to the main community area where we spent more time playing games with the children. The children in Chibuli seemed much more confident and full of life. There was a real sense of joy and familiarity within the community, and it was thoroughly enjoyable simply being present with them.
The days are long filled with lots of social and physical time in warm conditions and as the trip progresses, a few members of the team have started feeling a little under the weather physically.
Please support us in continuing to pray for healing for the team, energy and endurance as we continue to walk into what God has for us for the rest of our time in Zambia.
The contents of this media represent the sole views and opinions of the author, not of Hands at Work or any other groups or persons.
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