Africa accounts for 15% of the world’s population. It is the second most populated continent in the world (1.1 billion people).  Despite a thriving population and abundant national resources, it remains underdeveloped and experiences severe poverty. About 80% of Africans suffer from hunger. Despite many efforts by the UN and other NGO’s in the past 30 years, Sub-Saharan Africa is the only place in the world that saw no improvement in malnutrition and hunger.  It is the only place where poverty actually intensified. Why is the poverty narrative in Africa so difficult to change? What should our response be as Christ followers and collectively as the Church?

These are some of the questions that will shape the conversation at the upcoming seminar-style event at Commons on Nov. 30th from 10am-12pm. Come hear George Snyman (co-founder of Hands at Work) and Lynn Chotowetz share about this poverty narrative and how the Hands at Work model is helping to decrease vulnerability in the poorest African communities by strengthening families and building resilience.  In communities like Kalende, children and caregivers begin to heal from past trauma through long-term, committed relationships.  Through an ongoing partnership with Hands at Work, many become catalysts for transformation in their own communities, pushing them forward towards growth and maturity.  Please consider joining us for this important conversation. For more information or to register for this event, click here.

Another way to participate in this conversation and partnership with Kalende is to join the upcoming Commons Team travelling to Kalende, Zambia in July 2020! If this opportunity is something you are interested in learning more about, then please join us at the upcoming information night on Dec. 5th at 7pm at Kensington Commons. If joining a team is not possible for you this coming year but you would like to be more actively involved in supporting Kalende, please join us for our monthly advocates gathering. The next gathering will be held on Dec 5th at 8pm, following the team information session.  If you are unable to join us, you can read the most recent update from Kalende below.

As always, thank-you for your continued financial support for the kids in Kalende!We are excited to be increasing the number of children Commons supports through Hands at Work from 125 to 150 children this fall! 

Darlene Wall