About
What is HAHFA?
Hands and Hearts for Africa (HAHFA) is not another registered charity. Since Canada already has over 83,000 registered charities we did not feel the need for the cost and administration of yet one more charity. Rather, our desire is to partner and work in cooperation with select organizations already doing good work in Africa. We are like-minded Christ followers, connected by faith to serve Africans. We come from a variety of backgrounds and churches, but do not represent any one church or denomination. We are all volunteers and receive no remuneration.
It is important for you to know, that since we are not a charity, we do not handle your donations. All financial support goes directly through a recognized registered charity, appropriately qualified and equipped to deal with overseas mission work.
Our Approach
Our strategy is to work through individuals and Christ centred churches both in North America and Africa to impact lives on both continents. We achieve this by involving adults of all ages to work cooperatively on short term mission trips to Africa and by partnering and working with established organizations on the ground in Malawi. This approach educates us and raises our awareness as we experience first hand, the realities of the world outside North America.
At the same time, we partner with, and support established organizations with like values and goals as they work year round to impact lives in Africa. One specific goal in Africa is to empower and encourage African churches and communities toward sustainable solutions so they can ultimately meet their own long term needs.
“Under His direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 NLT
How Did HAHFA Begin?
The groundwork was laid for Hands and Hearts for Africa (HAHFA) when Bob and Joy Swan of Hosanna Church in Minnesota went on an “exploratory” trip to Malawi, saw the needs, and then returned to Malawi in November of 2006 with the first team trip. Members of that team were from Hosanna Church as well as individuals from a number of communities and churches in Canada including Wellington Square Church in Burlington Ontario. Right from the beginning, this initiative was a collaborative effort. We have returned to Malawi since then and continue to have regular mission trips to learn, serve, and formulate further plans to meet the many needs of this small African nation. HAHFA strives to provide an easy way for individuals, churches, and other groups to get involved personally.
Malawi Information
Malawi is a small country in southeast Africa. It is surrounded by Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. Use the controls on the left hand side of the map to get a better look.
If you would like to learn more about Malawi please visit Emmanuel International’s Malawi page.
