In a truly inspiring book, it says a man without vision will perish.
Vision is, as we know, hope and purpose.
Throughout my travels in many countries throughout the world I have come face to face with many who have lost all hope.
Many I have met have so often even lost the will to live or to survive, they escape into drugs and drink. Looking into their eyes you can see the pure despair, hopelessness and longing for some way out.
Many girls and children are in this very sad situation, being abused and used. What keeps them going? The mere fact of providing for their family who are caught in dire poverty living distraught lives.
Many girls have been sold into bar work to pay debts. Often due to a lack of education and because of their young age, prostitution is the only way to provide the money needed to support their family. This is not a life style they want, and so often have to pay a huge price of abuse, isolation and rejection. Sadly, some get hooked on drugs to deal with the pain and many have taken their own lives.
So many children are left in their villages while their parents hunt for work. Mothers have had to sell themselves to try and provide food and education because their husbands have left them. Many of the children have to stay with an elderly lady or grandparents who are paid to house and feed them until their mother can return. This could take many years. If the mother doesn’t make enough money, the children have to forgo their education and the snow ball effect, is another generation that will have to sell themselves for survival in the future too.
Hand in Hand is about helping these girls, rescuing children and trying to reunite them with family or find safe houses for them to live while they become educated and find alternative jobs to help support their family and themselves financially.
Love is what is needed and time and effort, as this is a very difficult area to work in. There are so many to help. Hand in Hand seeks to help girls escape to safe houses, maintain support, avoid problems with the owners of the girls and children.
Yet is it all worth it?
When you witness the lives of the girls completely changed and those that have been reunited with family and friends, life can be seen in their eyes again – real joy and the ability to support family without having to be abused.
The answer is yes.
Hand in Hand ministries works alongside other charities to be as effective as possible and our aim is to continue to rescue girls and children – as many as possible.
As the charity grows, the vision is to help guys and girls find hope and purpose and to be able to face life without the need for alcohol or drugs so that in turn, they can help others in the same situation as they were, using their experiences to advise and help them out of the life of prostitution, into a much better life – to live life in all it’s fullness.
A quotation that motivates me is:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Partners in Hand in Hand, whether senders or sent, we can work together
to change lives for the better, to give real hope and freedom.
- One at a time maybe, but lives will be made better and hope rekindled.
- Children will be free from harm and live as children should.
- Girls will find joy, hope and happiness once again.
- Those who have escaped into alcohol and drugs will be able to face life again and have a purpose and a way forward.
- Those who need food can be reached and provided for.
- Those who need a room can be housed.
Hand in hand we can help together finding ways to bring hope back to many people in real practical ways.
With many thanks, this charity has been inspired by many kind-hearted people who took time to understand and help:
My Church family at Bethel
Peter King, Rose Kelly, Betel and YWAM
Phil Collins and all at Chawn Hill Centre
Special thanks to Phil and Steve Jones
Steve and Bernadette Owen
John Billington
My Nan and Grandad
Most of all my Mom and Dad
If you are interested in supporting or want more information please contact:
Jill Berry at Bethel Chapel,
Hill Street, Wollescote, Stourbridge,
West Midlands, DY9 8TL. TEL-01384 892137
Email Pdarbinson@hotmail.com or visit www.hand-in-hand.org.uk
Hand in Hand is a ministry of Bethel Chapel
Registered charity number 1001260