Helping Hands in Matero Ward

In early September, all the wards in the Lusaka Stake were encouraged to do a Helping Hands Project.  Matero Ward accepted the challenge with this awesome group of members and missionaries who helped clean floors and windows in a residential center for adults.

We were asked to clean the floors, which included raising all the beds and cleaning under them.  There were four buildings with three units per building and eight occupants per room.  They had everything they owned in the little space around and under their beds. Some were pretty neat and some beds looked like they had not been lifted up and cleaned under in a good long time.
LaNice trying to get the back corners under the bed.  Sister Chifunda sweeping.

We had mostly Young Adults and Young Men and Young Women, but also several of us older folks.
The floors were cleaned by most with rags as mops were in short supply.  We provided most of the clothes to clean the windows with some coming from the Ward.  Below is Nathan White, a recent convert, who is happily cleaning windows.

Mark, a long term member and RM.      Elders Brewerton and Ssengooba - Lifting where they stand!
  
This is Juliet, a faithful young woman.

                
This is Andrew Kampelya, our EQ Pres and RM,
       
Below is Brother Kolunga, the counselor in the bishopric who organized the service project.


The residents gathered with the Helping Hands Mormons for a short presentation.  Alan visited with this elderly gentleman who found shade and coolness almost sitting inside this bush.

 
Some items to be given out were left at the church, so while we ran back to get them, the members danced and sang with the residents.  Alan also made friends with the man on the right.  His name is Samson and he is quite the character.

  
The "handing over" portion of the meeting consisted of providing each resident with a small bag of rice, a small bag of sugar, some toilet paper, a bar of soap and a small box of laundry soap, and a toothbrush and toothpaste.  They were all so appreciative.  The gentleman below was so ill he could not leave his bed, so the volunteers took him his gift.
  
It was quite a humbling experience to be able to help those who really are not able to help themselves and made us feel quite fortunate to have a nice place to return to that has all the basic necessities of life.  The gentleman on the right was left sitting in the sun at the conclusion of the meeting, so LaNice pushed him back to his room where a staff person helped him out of the wheelchair on to the step where he wanted to sit and enjoy the afternoon.  Such a wonderful opportunity to be "helping hands" to those who could really use it!