Walk on the Wild Side

This year marked the 2nd annual "Walk on the Wild Side" at the Phoenix Zoo. The turnout was more than double from 2008 and the donations followed suit. Many people worked very hard to put together this successful event and the best part is, so many children and families will benefit from the generosity and support brought about by the volunteers, walkers and founders of this wonderful organization.

The day couldn't have been more perfect - sunshine, cool weather and lots of people there to support the Helping Hands in Africa cause.

Michelle Tessendorf is one of the founders of HHIA (middle) and Ron Meister was one of the major players in getting this event put together (left). Posing for a picture, you can tell everyone was having a great time and enjoying the beautiful day.

Children may have outnumbered adults, and why wouldn't they - kids LOVE the zoo! And considering this event will benefit the children of South Africa, it seemed only fitting.

Breakfast was served to all the walkers after they had finished the walk. While the participants enjoyed their breakfast - they listened to music and mingled while the volunteers passed out information about Helping Hands.

Won't you walk with us next year? Mark your calendars for March 20th, 2010!

The Power of Volunteerism

South Africa is an incredible place of beauty, power, savageness, and yes, despair. It is hard to believe that such a beautiful place can also be a place where every Saturday in a remote village of 5000 people, there are an average of eight funerals.

The very real situation is that the AIDS pandemic is so severe that an entire generation will be eliminated in the next few years, leaving behind a legacy of 11,000,000 orphans. What is to become of these children of God? Who will ensure that they are fed and clothed, educated and loved?

While all this sounds very hopeless, the truth is there is a group that can make significant changes in the lives of these beautiful children…VOLUNTEERS.

Webster’s American English Dictionary describes a Volunteer who is a person who offers to help or work without expecting payment or reward – offer or give voluntarily. What no payment or reward? The opposite is true.

Every time we help others, we end up receiving as much in return as we give, and….we are blessed beyond measure in how the act of volunteering makes us feel inside. During our trip to South Africa, one of the many activities and events was the making of over 300 balloon hats and at least an equal number of balloon dogs! This little act brought so much happiness to the children of Molewane Village that it is impossible to describe. Our own children and grandchildren could have learned something from these children without parents who stood in line waiting patiently for their turn to have their head measured for a custom made balloon hat.

And volunteerism doesn’t end at the entrance to the village. Back here in the United States where we are all blessed beyond measure, volunteers in America, and especially in Arizona, work every day to the service of the children and families of South Africa. Whether it is on a committee working to raise funds (see our website articles on the Walk on the Wild Side Phoenix Zoo Walk, or the Music Under The Stars evening, with all proceeds benefiting Helping Hands in Africa), or writing and developing curriculum for educational programs back in South Africa, handling administrative affairs for the organization, or talking to other faith based organizations about getting involved in this important volunteer effort.

I often think, as I reflect on my own involvement how much difference one person, thousands of miles away, can make in the life of a child, and how precious that one life is to this world we all share.

Yours in Christ,
Jerry Houston

You're Invited!!! To Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

Join us at the Phoenix Zoo for a fundraising walk to benefit the children of South Africa.

March 21, 2009 at the Phoenix Zoo

Registration..........................6:45am-7:30am

Walk......................................7:30am-9:00am

Breakfast...............................8:30am-9:30am

Awards/Entertainment.......9:00am-10:30am

For more information or to register online, visit www.helpinghandsinafrica.org

Mission Statement of Helping Hands in Africa: 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.

For questions call: Brad Binstock at 480-231-1292 or Ron Meister at 480-220-1306

Map below:

Save the Date - April 4th, 2009

You can help this child and the numerous other orphans in South Africa by attending the most prestigious event to come to Sun City Grand in Surprise, Arizona:

Music under the Stars…Bistro Style

April 4th, 2009 at Dillons, Sun City Grand
5- 8:30 p.m.
Featuring the Desert Sounds Orchestra
Donation: $65 per person

The event will also include a silent auction, consisting of authentic South African artifacts. Proceeds will go to support the children.

*Catering by Classic Catering

If you are interested in volunteering your time and being a table host at this event, please contact Jerry Houston , Helping Hands Committee Chairman:
Jerry@HoustonPartnersInternational.com
Or go to www.HelpingHandsinAfrica.com
Phone: 623-399-6445

Helping Hands is in the News!

Church Solutions Magazine is a national publication for pastors and executive pastors who lead all different kinds of denominations, so when we had a recent article published on their popular web site, we couldn't be more thrilled. Every little bit helps as far as awareness, support and getting people involved - even if it's just on the web.

Keep your fingers crossed that they will put it in their print edition as well. It's a great magazine and so many pastors read it each month, so the more who know, the more difference will be made at Helping Hands in Africa!

Click here for the article, and ENJOY!

Postcard from Africa

On behalf of all of us at Helping Hands, I thank you for your support over the past year. May you have a wonderful Christmas season surrounded by family and friends.

As a reminder to you - we are able to care for this young boy from a small village in South Africa because of people like you. The words around the imprint of his little hands say "God made me special. No one else is just like me!" Thank you for making it possible for us to let him know this.

As you go into the new year I pray that, despite the world financial crisis, you will truly have a prosperous 2009. May you see God as the source of all things good in your life.
Visit our home page and click on the link to hear a short Christmas message from some of the children in our program.

With warm regards,
Michelle Tessendorf
www.HelpingHandsInAfrica.org

Postcard from Africa

As the United States celebrated Thanksgiving on the 27th of November, my thoughts turned to all the things we are thankful for here at Helping Hands. The "thankful list" is long, but today I would like to focus on one. I'm sure you will agree with me that the words "thank you" seem inadequate.

We are truly grateful for the premises into which we have recently moved. It has the most beautiful garden which makes a longstanding dream of mine come true! The children in the villages where we serve spend their days playing in the dirt. There are a few scattered thorn trees for shade, but not much else. Now, when they visit the Helping Hands Orphan Intervention Center, they can play on soft green grass and explore a garden filled with interesting plants, a small pond (fully stocked with tadpoles and frogs, eewww), soothing water features and secret nooks and crannies. The birds in the garden are spectacular. I'm thrilled that our Care Givers and staff can find peace and tranquility in the garden when they feel overwhelmed by the hardships and sorrows they face daily. The new offices and indoor space is wonderful. For all this we are very thankful. Every person who gave toward our House Project has made this possible. Thank you. You can still give toward this, simply click here and make your donation, marking it "House Project", or you can send a check to our office - see Contact Us page for postal details.

With warm regards,

Michelle Tessendorf

www.helpinghandsinafrica.org