Abaco Rises
Rebuilding Homes and Rekindling Hope with Many Hands
Rebuilding Homes and Rekindling Hope with Many Hands Winter 2025
The Unstoppable Joy of Your Generosity
The Greatest Gift p.07
HOPE MULTIPLIED
A Partnership Launching
2.5 MILLION Meals!
This Advent, we are absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of a monumental mission—an answer to the faithful prayers of our team in Haiti that will deliver food and essential resources to 250,000 people navigating impossible situations because of violence and instability.
United for Impact
This project is a powerful, unified demonstration of the Body of Christ in action, setting a goal to raise $550,000 during Advent to provide 2.5 million meals for families, children, and internally displaced people impacted by violence in the South Central region of Haiti.
We are excited to work alongside three incredible partners to achieve this impact:
• Lutheran Church of Hope: Mobilizing their community through dedicated fundraising efforts.
• Meals from the Heartland: Providing the massive food packaging effort.
• Convoy of Hope: Serving as our trusted partner for logistics and transportation into Haiti.
• Many Hands for Haiti: Our established local staff will ensure every meal reaches vulnerable families, distributed with the love and relational commitment that is central to our mission.
More Than Meals: It’s Dignity and a Future
Your generous support addresses the immediate crisis and ensures ongoing support for all of 2026. This Advent campaign delivers a strategic dual impact that empowers Haitian families:
• Immediate Relief: We are sending 10 shipping containers of food as urgent and ongoing relief, providing peace and a sense of security for families facing crisis.
• Economic Empowerment: Crucially, $120,000 of the goal is earmarked to be injected directly into the local Haitian agricultural economy by purchasing food from local farmers and distributors. This strengthens local markets and helps families build their own long-term future.
This project partnership is what we mean when we say Love in Action, demonstrating that when we invest in community and actively work together, we deliver love and create lasting change.
We are the answer to prayers of people who right now are crying out... We get to be God's hands and feet in that. “
-Tim Brand
Founder & CEO, Many Hands
ABACO RISES
Rebuilding Homes and Rekindling Hope with Many Hands
I don't think I would have been this far without them.
-Nicole Saunders “
These powerful words from Nichole Saunders, an Abaco homeowner, don't just state a fact—they capture the profound connection between a community striving to recover and the dedication of our supporters. Years after Hurricane Dorian made landfall as a catastrophic Category 5 storm in September 2019, Many Hands is committed to nurturing the very fabric of this resilient Bahamian island. The spirit of Abaco is being rekindled, one home and one heart at a time, transforming our collective history into a foundation for a brighter future.
The Lingering Shadow
Even six years after Dorian, the healing process is far from complete. While initial emergency efforts concluded, and COVID forced non-profits to leave the island in 2020, the long-term needs of the Abaco community remain acute. Doug Veenstra, who oversees maintenance and construction for Many Hands, recalls how many Abaconians felt "forgotten" as the recovery stalled, with countless homes "somewhat finished on the outside... but nothing was done inside." This reality cemented Many Hands’ deep, long-term commitment to be a lasting presence in Abaco. The housing shortage remains critical, with an estimated 1,200 houses still needed.
Kelby Sorheim, a volunteer who served with his family for a few months in Abaco, observed the slow pace of recovery, noting the visible scars of "destruction in many of the areas still, there's just roofs... gone, and... trash laying around." We confront this past by moving forward daily.
Building Beyond Bricks and Mortar
Our commitment goes beyond construction. Many Hands understands that true recovery is a holistic process, rooted in community engagement, deep relationships, and fostering a relentless sense of hope. Carrie Veenstra, a Many Hands staff member who lives full-time in Abaco, emphasizes the importance of "building a lot of relationships," meeting people, and letting them know that "Many Hands is here to stay."
This deep, personal commitment is what allows us to see the "sparkle back in their eye" and the "more smiles on their faces" in homeowners who are now taking ownership of their rebuilds. We are dedicated to seeing the whole community rise together.
Empowering Local Hands
A key aspect of our strategy is empowering the local community to lead their own ascent. Doug
An Impact team member works on repairing a house in Abaco.
ABACO RISES
Veenstra coordinates volunteer labor, working on multiple housing projects to make homes safe and livable. We believe in providing the tools and support necessary for community members to contribute to their own rebuilding process. Carrie Veenstra notes that homeowners, with a little push and encouragement, are "taking some ownership and jumping in on it too."
AT and Crystal Holder, focusing on community development, are actively "building bridges with people," connecting with other families through homeschooling groups and church, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed. This isn't just construction; it's co-creation and empowerment.
Nurturing Young Minds for Tomorrow
Investing in Abaco's future means investing in its children. The impact of Many Hands extends
to the education sector through the Academic Recovery for Kids (ARK) program. Celekah Mills, the ARK teacher and librarian at Central Abaco Primary School (CAPS), provides crucial one-onone support in math and reading—an essential service due to large class sizes.
The ARK program focuses on building confidence and closing learning gaps, setting students up for success long-term. As Mrs. Mills shared: "Each lesson is a reminder that progress doesn’t always come in leaps, it comes in small steps as well. Consistency, partnership, and small victories are the heartbeat of ARK."
Beyond the classroom, monthly "Reading Picnic" events provide a safe space for children and families to engage with stories, sing, and, importantly, receive books they can call their own. As Carrie, also a librarian, shares, "they were just hungry to have a book, something that they could take and say that was theirs." This is how we cultivate a lifelong love of learning.
Photos: Top Left - A CAPS student makes a heart while posing for the camera; Top Right - A local family speaks with an impact team during a food distribution; Bottom Right - An Impact team poses for the camera with a family while distributing food
We are dedicated to seeing the whole community rise together.
Growing a Sustainable Future
Our vision for a thriving Abaco requires long-term sustainability. We recognize the vital role of agriculture in reducing the island's heavy reliance on imports, which makes it vulnerable to disruptions. Our partnership with Driftwood Farms, a hydroponic farm, is crucial for food security. Impact teams actively participate in harvesting, flipping, and planting, contributing to a more self-sufficient Abaco for years to come. This shift from relying on outside aid to building internal capacity is how a community truly rises.
A Collective Journey of Hope
The work of Many Hands in Abaco is a testament to the power of collective effort and unwavering commitment. We are actively shaping a new narrative for Abaco, one where hope and stability flourish. From rebuilding homes and fostering
deep relationships to supporting essential education and promoting sustainable agriculture, the organization is helping Abaco not just recover but thrive. As Quinn Mochan, an Impact team leader, beautifully puts it, "everybody just pours in where necessary. And then together as a team and in community, we can make something so much greater than what one individual could ever do."
The journey is ongoing, but with each nail hammered, each book read, and each seed planted, Abaco is steadily rising, stronger and more hopeful than before. We invite you to continue walking alongside us as we look forward to the promise of a flourishing community.
Photos: Top Left - Impact team members at Poinciana Driftwood Farms; Top Right - An Impact team member reads to a child during the Reading Picnic; Bottom - Impact team members work on repairing a house
THE GREATEST GIFT
The Unstoppable Joy of Your Generosity
We're wrapping up the year, and our annual Give Joy catalog is the most direct pathway for your generosity to make tangible investments in the lives of people in Haiti and Abaco. The truest measure of the gift you give is found not just in the numbers that we’re able to report, but in the heartfelt words of those whose lives are transformed, one specific item at a time.
The Gift of Safety: Peace & Dignity in a Safe Home
Your generous support provides the cornerstone of stability—a safe place to raise a family—through our commitment to Safe Structures, which includes concrete floors and home rebuilding, replacing fear with profound peace.
Louisnie Previl, a mother whose vulnerable thatch house was replaced with a secure structure, shared a glimpse of her radical transformation:
"I received a beautiful house. I am no longer afraid... I don't cry anymore. The tears in my eyes are gone."
Even foundational elements, like a concrete floor, eliminate the daily struggle of water and mud inside the home, restoring essential dignity. As Jedline Valmy put it, "I say a word of thanksgiving because if it weren't for you, the work that has been done, I couldn't do it." This is the incredible power of your gift: creating peace and replacing instability with a foundation for life.
The Gift of Opportunity: Independence and Hope
Your gifts translate directly into economic empowerment and the dignity of steady, honest work, which is central to rising above generational poverty. Our partnership with Vi Bella, which employs Haitian artisans, is a shining example of this path toward long-term independence.
Judith Onezine, empowered by her steady job, expressed her journey beautifully: "Vi Bella changed my life. You can see my face has changed so much. And my kids as well, this changed my family too."
She summed up this path toward a self-built future with a hopeful proverb: "Pezape zwazo fe nich"— 'Little by little the bird makes its nest.' Your generosity provides the resources and tools—the first strong stick—for families to build their own futures, step by step.
The Gift for the Future: Education and Investment
Investing in the youngest members of the community ensures a flourishing future for all. Our critical First Thousand Days program provides holistic care for mothers and their young children, ensuring the best possible start in life. This includes amazing initiatives like the goat program, which provides a sustainable, income-generating path to fund education.
Judith Onezine, who found economic empowerment through the Vi Bella partnership, is also a mother benefiting from this program. She knows the difference the goat initiative makes for her children’s schooling: "I received the benefit of a goat. And it's this goat that helped me with tuition for my kid's school... I am so very happy because Many Hands has done so much."
A Year of Unstoppable Transformation and Partnership
The stories above—of safety, dignity, and opportunity— are the direct and observable results of your compassion and commitment to our mission pillars. Because you give through the Give Joy catalog, you provide tangible tools that enable life-changing self-sufficiency.
Your support is a vital fulfillment of our mission to be Love in Action this year. We are grateful for your powerful partnership as we walk alongside the strong and resilient people of Haiti and Abaco, confirming that when we transform together, the joy is truly unstoppable.
Photos: Top - Vi Bella Artisans work to craft ornaments; Middle - Many Hands staff distribute goats to mothers in the First Thousand Days program; Bottom - Many Hands staff pose with a family in front of their newly constructed home
BEYOND THE BUZZ
Connecting with the Heart of Many Hands
In a world full of noise, where the news often feels like a constant stream of difficulty, finding a place of real connection, inspiration, and purpose can feel rare. At Many Hands, we believe in the power of change—not just in the communities we serve globally, but within each of us, right here at home.
This belief is the beating heart of our monthly People For Impact Zoom calls, a gathering that's quickly becoming a cornerstone for a growing community seeking something more. It’s a space where you're not just a passive observer, but an active participant in a movement of love in action. These calls are a unique opportunity to see the amazing work happening, hear directly from our missionaries, and connect with a community united by a shared desire to be the Good News in a broken world.
A Movement of Minds and Hearts
A recent call with the theme of “transformation”, featuring founder and CEO Tim Brand and long-time missionary in Haiti, Christi Gabhart, perfectly captured this spirit. Attendees tune in from all over; from a 15-passenger van in Abaco to a patio in Haiti, and living rooms and offices across the globe, our community came together, united by a common purpose. It's a testament to the power of connection, even across continents and challenging circumstances.
Christi, who has dedicated over a decade to walking alongside the Haitian people in Pignon, shared a powerful message of strength and perennial hope. She highlighted the unwavering spirit of our Haitian staff—their refusal to give up and their deep trust in God—even in the face of immense hardship. This is about witnessing firsthand how faith and perseverance lead to profound internal transformation.
We heard about the incredible impact of the marriage ministry, where couples, some in their 60s and 70s, choose to be married in the eyes of God. This powerful act of renewal transforms not just their own lives, but their families, churches, and communities. It’s a powerful example of taking control of one's story for positive change, a core principle of Many Hands.
Building a Framework for a Better Future
The "People For Impact" calls also delve into the practical application of our mission. Christi shared about the "akadrement" approach—a Creole term that means
-Tyler Kamerman Chief Development Officer, Many Hands “
My hope is that you'll step into God's calling for your life and begin to share His love in new ways.
"accompanying," but more deeply, "building a framework for someone". This isn't about giving handouts; it's about empowering individuals through education, training, and programs like the Alpha Garden.
Imagine women in Haiti, through hard work and the support of the Alpha Garden program, saving enough to buy a pig—a significant step toward stability and a powerful symbol of their growing success. These are the stories that ignite generosity and inspire us all to think about how we can contribute to building lasting solutions.
Your Invitation to Something More
The "People For Impact" calls are a direct reflection and embodiment of our mission.
• If you're looking for more purpose in your life.
• If you're curious about how love can truly be put into action.
• If you simply want to be part of a motivated and inspiring community.
...then these calls are for you. You don't need to have traveled on an Impact Trip, or even be a long-time supporter, to join.
We invite you to step into this space, to listen, to learn, and to discover how you can find your place in this positive cycle of transformation.
Scan the QR Code to learn about future monthly connections.
Photo: Impact team members pose for a photo while working on repairing a house
