From the abundance given to us by our Heavenly Father, the Africa & Beyond Fundraising Team, along with the Helping Hands team, has a deep desire to help the children of Africa & Burundi improve their lives by obtaining an education and teaching them the truth of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we serve the Lord and reflect on the impact our work has on their young lives, we are filled with joy and anticipation of how God will use these children to positively influence their families and communities.

Each year, as we come together in prayer and reflection to find creative ways to raise funds for these children, our hearts continue to soften. We consistently experience the Lord’s unwavering support in countless ways, and each experience strengthens our faith. Trusting Him becomes easier, even when the amounts we hope to raise may seem daunting compared to what we have to offer. Building schools requires equipping them with necessary supplies like student desks and chairs, teachers’ desks and chairs, cabinets, books, copy paper, pencils, pens, colors, erasers, and much more. These essential needs all require funding, a substantial amount. The needs are great, and the priorities are numerous. Still, our mission is always to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for the children while serving and giving of ourselves. The Lord said in his Word: “What you do for the least of them you’ve done for me” (Matthew 25:40-45).

So, it is with deep compassion that we commit ourselves to supporting the vulnerable children in these communities who desperately need our love and care. By reaching out and extending a helping hand, we show them that they are not alone and that their Heavenly Father sees and cherishes them. We want them to understand that they have been chosen and given an opportunity for a better life. We are certain that obtaining an education will take them from a life of poverty to one filled with promise for a brighter future. Learning to read, write, perform math calculations, and think critically will undoubtedly boost the children’s confidence and help them begin to form dreams and goals for their future and the kind of work they may pursue in their communities. While participating in their learning will also build their cognitive skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, the school environment is crucial for developing these children’s social skills and their ability to communicate and interact well with others. Group projects in school will teach them collaboration and teamwork, which are all essential to becoming valuable workers in the marketplace. 

When these precious children recognize the unwavering love surrounding them, we believe they will naturally be inspired to share that same love with others, making them valuable members of their families and communities. Educated citizens are typically more informed and engaged participants in their communities and better equipped to fulfill their civic responsibilities than those who were unable to complete a high school or college education.

Participating in the fundraising for Africa & Beyond and for the sake of the little children in the Malawi and Burundi communities is a life-changing experience! Seeing the smile of a child feels like having God on earth. Psalm 82:3 gently reminds us of our sacred duty: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” 

We are honored and awed by witnessing the transformation of little lives and the continued miraculous results of our efforts.

Working for Kingdom Purposes is both fulfilling and inspiring. We’re honored that God is using us to lift children out of poverty and lead them to better futures because we know God’s heart is for the poor and the vulnerable, especially little children. The Word of God says: “He who gives to the poor lends to God.” As we serve the Lord, we feel His Glory; it’s for His Glory! To see little lives changed brings us a joy that is beyond anything we could ever imagine.

Our reward is knowing these children are being lifted out of poverty to do great things. How wonderful!

Yolanda Camhi, on behalf of:
Helping Hands Team
Africa & Beyond Team