Nakekela is a clinic for HIV/AIDS patients in KwaMhlanga, South Africa, an area where the HIV/AIDS infection rate is estimated to be between 50-80% of the population, and there are more funeral parlors than any other type of commercial business. There are 20 beds in the clinic and a staff of nurses and doctors. Staff members visit and assess not only potential patients but also follow up with those who have already been discharged. The purpose of the clinic is to treat HIV/AIDS patients and to alleviate the horrible symptoms that accompany the disease, while bringing the Word of God to the afflicted. A key element of Nakekela’s ministry is home based care. There are currently eight home based care workers (two teams of four) who visit patients in their home providing basic medical care, connecting them to social services, and spending time doing devotions with them. The home based care team also facilitates training programs for the community, in churches and in the public schools, to raise awareness and encourage prevention of the HIV/AIDS virus.

Word & Deed partners with Mukhanyo Theological College as they develop material for the Mukhanyo Distance Learning Program and conduct church-based training. The program is designed to increase the availability of high quality, Reformed Bible teaching with contextual application in Africa. This is being done by developing video distance training courses and making them available to those who do not live within traveling distance of the college. There are three important parts to the Mukhanyo Distance Learning Program in providing a stable learning platform: DVD courses, group learning, and local tutoring. Currently, there are over 70 distance groups now using the materials provided through Mukhanyo, including a couple of Word & Deed partners.

MCA is a Christian school operating in KwaMhlanga, South Africa. The mission of this school is to care for orphans and vulnerable/neglected children. Over half of the 180 children in the school have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS or other circumstances. Due to the nature of their traumatic backgrounds, many end up having learning barriers which make it very difficult to thrive in a normal school environment. The school seeks to create a conducive learning environment for these children, but, more importantly, they seek to shape the characters of their students and give them hope through the Gospel.

Child Vision trains teachers in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers to teach preschool age children Bible lessons along with reading readiness and other developmentally appropriate skills. Because ECD centers often serve as a central service in the community, teachers are also trained to engage parents and caregivers to provide for their families through savings groups and self-sustaining micro-businesses like gardens, laying hens, and beekeeping.