Good day! My name is Ashley Davies and I am a 21 year old fired-up Jesus lover with a heart for Africa and an urgency to bring help and hope to those in need. I have completed two years of bible college and community outreach work with the Hillsong Africa Foundation through Hillsong South Africa's internship program. Here I was involved in weekly programs for kids in underprivileged communities; from games and activities to bible stories, to female development programs, ministering to the homeless and much more. Through this internship I learnt of compassion and how to practically assist the most vulnerable and work in a team.

6 months ago I quit my job and started an NPO - Hope Mission Africa. In this current pandemic climate, a large number of homeless people were moved from their independent shelters and transported to a large tented sports ground. Unfortunately due to the poor conditions of this 'camp' due to bad planning, basic humnan rights were neglected. Sanitation, a lack of food and being unable to social distance allowed for the increase of the virus and other sicknesses, to such an extent that 75% of the campers had left before the camp was officially shut down. This initiative started to aid those who had left the camp to bring hope and practical help to those who had left this campsite. Currently we are working in a township called Joe Slovo with our sights set on building multiple latrines, tippy-taps and a vegetable garden while also investing into and strengthening those in the community. 

A month ago God put Zimbabwe on my heart and the name Oscar. So through the Oscar website I was able to find this amazing volunteer opportunity.

I was also a scout for 8 years and have experience 'living off the land', building essential items from the bare minimum using nature's surrounds as well as how to dig and maintain latrines, tippy taps and vegetable gardens. Through these years I have also been able to learn first aid, map reading, safety, develop leadership, planning and personal development skills and how to communicate well with others.

I love Jesus and I love people. And would love to help in anyway, believing that this will be a life-changing experience with a lot of lessons learnt throughout! 

If you resonated with this story at all and are able, I would greatly appreciate your support or encouragement in any way shape or form. I believe that through faith, God will grow your seed of generosity beyond comprehension.