I have never heard her speak so passionately. She is normally a very quiet person but that day she seemed to find words that had eluded her in the past. This is her story.

Her daughter, Mmamoruti, was the first cook for Helping Hands when we started the feeding project in that village. The stipend she earned was the only income for the entire family. But Mmamoruti was already sick and she became sicker as the months progressed. The family was so worried because they thought she would lose her stipend, their only income. Instead, Helping Hands assigned a Care Giver to her and asked her sister, Ma Tau's other daughter, to do the cooking. Ma Tau was so grateful that the income was still with the family. "But," she said. "You did not stop there." She then spoke of how we helped her register for an identity document and obtain an old age grant. Now two people in the family were receiving an income. We also continued to provide a Care Giver for her daughter, Mmamoruti until she died. With tears rolling down her cheek, Ma Tau then said to me, "When my daughter died, you came to visit me. You helped pay for her funeral. You showed that you cared by the things you did. And that is why I became a Care Giver. I realized I had to be strong for other people in my village and help others the way I have been helped."

Ma Tau then pointed around the village to one "shack" house after the other and told me how each person has been helped by Helping Hands. One woman, who could not see for years, regained her eyesight simply because we were able to take her to the hospital for an operation and then ongoing treatment. Another we helped get an ID document which in turn helped that person get a job. Another person was able to feed her children because of child grants for which we registered her. Ma Tau just kept talking and pointing out people we had helped. She then turned to me and said in that firm voice, "Don't ever say that you don't do enough! Helping Hands has saved our village."

I know that Helping Hands has not "saved" her village - we have simply been a channel for the Lord of Salvation to come to her village. What a privilege.

At this season, which celebrates Jesus, the Lord of Salvation, I wanted to let you, our supporters know how you have been instrumental in bringing our Lord to this village. Thank you!

May you personally experience the salvation of Christ this Christmas and may your New Year be filled with peace and goodwill toward all men.

With warm regards
Michelle Tessendorf

Mission statement
Helping Hands is dedicated to restoring hope for the future in disadvantaged communities by providing opportunities for individuals in the community to develop skills that will equip them to take responsibility for their own economic, health, educational, social and spiritual upliftment.