Bridges of Hope understands that the experts on a particular community are the community members themselves.  That is why we raise up a Leadership Committee in each township we enter to identify the greatest felt needs of their community, and then work with them to solve those needs using the resources available to them.  This committee from Samora (pictured left) decided that a rising number of AIDS orphans had significant needs that should not be ignored, so they started a support group for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Volunteers from the community run the support group which offers singing, games, nurturing, Biblical lessons on pertinent subjects such as grief, anger and forgiveness, HIV prevention, and, as the 2010 Soccer World Cup approaches, instruction on how to avoid falling prey to child traffikers.

As the Committee takes on these needs in their community, they are emboldened and empowered to trust God for more.  Victory breeds victory.  Lives, then neighborhoods, are transformed.  This is a portrait of grass roots, holistic community development.

Babalwa Jama, an unemployed 22-year-old single parent, saw the Bridges of Hope flyer seeking volunteers for their After School Program at Masivuke Primary School in Philippi. She signed up for a year of volunteer service in exchange for receiving Computer Training, English Training, Life Skills and Discipleship.  Though Babalwa had never before touched a computer, she aced her advanced level computer training, and Bridges promptly hired her to be the Lead Computer Trainer for the After School Program (ASP). She has now trained hundreds of school children and scores of young adult volunteers on computers in the ASP.

In 2007, Babalwa paid a visit to a neighbor who was an orphaned young man and a notorious gang leader.  She befriended him and there began a ministry to the gang members of Philippi, even bringing rival gangs together to work productively toward a drug-free and crime-free future. While there is still crime in Philippi, it has been significantly reduced as a result of Babalwa’s outreach.

Babalwa is now the Project Manager for Bridges of Hope, bringing ASPs and Gang Ministries to neighboring communities as well. She is a bright light in Philippi and beyond.