Our story, What We Believe and Our Objectives

Our Story

In Mozambique, people living with disability are among the most marginalised.  Somos Nós, seeks to embrace them and work for their inclusion in the Church and society. Somos Nós (formally known as Helping Hands) means ‘It’s Us’ to emphasise our heart to stand in solidarity with people living with disability. Our desire is to mobilise and equip the church to live out the love of Jesus through an undivided witness; building relationships, proclaiming the Gospel and engaging practically to encourage interdependence and community.
The ministry began from small beginnings when OMS missionaries, Melvin and Sharon Kelly encountered people with disability in Mozambique and were challenged to minister among them.  After repairing John Paul’s wheelchair back in 2012, the work has expanded to embrace and support many more.  Somos Nós now has a well established program with wheelchair fitting clinics and wheelchair maintenance workshops.  These programs are complimented by home visits, family support groups, community Bible studies and special celebration events which are normally scheduled to celebrate International Disability Day on 3rd December and Children’s day on 1st June each year.
john paul 2 About Somos Nos Helping hands mozambique our story our objectives what we believe

John Paul

Somos Nós has collaborated with many churches and has responded to requests for help from several hospitals and health clinics.  The Living Word Evangelical Church partners with Somos Nós in Maputo and Zambezia provinces.  Somos Nós supports local churches as they build relationships with people living with disability and their families and makes mobility aids available.  It is all about creating opportunities to see the love of Christ transform the lives of individuals, families and whole communities. We are indebted to the volunteers (local and missionary) who have made an invaluable contribution to the ministry in a whole host of ways.  Melvin and Sharon serve as members of the leadership team alongside Carlos Njango, Ilidio (Juka) Fernando and Elina Fernando.

What we Believe

We believe that every human being is created by God in His image and has the right to be treated with dignity.  God cares for all that He has made.  He created us as integral beings; our physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing matters to Him.  God’s love compels us to love those around us, including those that live with physical and intellectual limitations. The sin of Adam and Eve and every generation since has tarnished God’s perfect creation.  The wages of sin is death and results in broken relationships.  But God sent His sinless Son, Jesus, to die to pay the price for our sin (John 3:16).  Jesus bridges the gap and paves the way for us to live, once again, in relationship with God and calls us to live in healthy relationship with our neighbours.  We seek to obey Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28v18-20) and His Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22v36-40) to love God and love our neighbour and thus reflect his Kingdom on earth.

Our Objectives

  • Mobilise and equip the Church, other entities and the community to contribute to the wellbeing of those living with disabilities and their families;
  • Promote the wellbeing of the Church and the growth of the Kingdom of God;
  • Mobilise and equip the Church to be active in proclaiming the Gospel;
  • Mobilise and equip the Church in discipleship (disciples who make disciples);
  • Contribute to the development of the community and Mozambique;
  • Listen, identify and study the socio-cultural problems experienced by people living with disability and strive to overcome them;
  • Advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and champion their full, active and creative integration into society;
  • Promote collaboration between organisations.

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