EIN: 26-4480982
709 Main St, Pella, IA, 50219, USA
641.629.6633
Many Hands for Abaco
Beneath the visible signs of recovery, the people of Abaco are quietly battling a crisis that is systemic, structural, and moral: the post-Dorian deficit of dignity and structural self-sufficiency.
Abaco, Bahamas is rebuilding—but the need is great.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, the people of Abaco faced a “one-two punch” of natural disaster and global disruption during the pandemic.
10,000
Students had their educational journeys disrupted1
$
3.4Billion
In damages (25% of the country’s GDP)2
13,000
Homes destroyed3
95
%
Of the food supply is imported
Our Commitment to Abaco
Our Commitment to Haiti
Strategic solutions for sustainable housing
Long-term investment in students and local communities
Faithfully deliver on our commitments with clear, visible action
How Many Hands Transforms Lives in Abaco
How Many Hands Transforms Lives in Abaco
Our mission in Abaco, Bahamas is rooted in Love in Action, focusing on strengthening communities and building spiritual fortitude. By deeply immersing ourselves in the communities we serve, we help families move beyond survival and into a future of prosperity and self-sufficiency. These efforts are powered by incredible donors, as well as our thrift markets in the U.S.
Our work takes place alongside local Bahamians, community leaders and families to build lasting solutions in six collaborative focus areas, creating a complete and stable foundation for life.
Safe Structures
Building a Foundation for Health
A safe, secure, and hurricane-resilient home is the absolute baseline for family stability and health, restoring a sense of peace to the community.
Our Programs
- Restoring Critical Community Infrastructure: Focusing our efforts on essential community buildings, including schools, churches, and designated hurricane shelters.
- Essential Home Repairs: Providing critical repairs, such as roof replacement, structural reinforcement, and mold remediation, allowing families to finally return to the homes they’ve been waiting to return to since 2019.
- Local Labor Engagement: Hiring local masons, carpenters, and laborers to stimulate the local economy while rebuilding.
- Volunteer Mobilization: Engaging volunteers in hands-on rebuilding efforts, which is essential for keeping projects affordable, and invites partners to tangibly join the mission.
Education
Breaking Cycles of Poverty
The educational path for many children was severely disrupted by natural disasters and global instability. Rather than working in isolation, Many Hands partners with established local institutions to provide the stability and Christ-centered environment needed to develop the hearts and minds of the next generation. We are proud to work directly with the largest public primary school in Abaco, ensuring our resources support and strengthen the existing community fabric.
Our Programs
- Academic Recovery Program for Kids (ARK): Offering specialized tutoring and resources to students whose education was disrupted by the hurricane and pandemic, helping them close academic gaps.
- Character Development: Integrating key biblical and life principles into our youth programs, fostering integrity, a strong work ethic, and a servant’s heart in future leaders.
- Reading Picnic Program: Hosting community literacy events to encourage a love for reading outside the classroom and promote family engagement in education.
Agriculture
Nurturing Land and Livelihoods
Growing local food is critical for food security and community resilience, moving away from a reliance on expensive, imported goods. Our work helps families reclaim self-sufficiency through innovative practices.
Our Programs
- Greenhouse Projects: Utilizing technology for year-round, nutrient-dense production, protected from harsh island elements.
- School Gardens: Establishing living classrooms in partnership with local educational institutions.
Life Development
Cultivating Ethical Leadership
Sustainable transformation is led by local people. We are dedicated to cultivating a new generation of leaders—especially among the youth—who lead with integrity and a servant’s heart.
Our Programs
- Sports Camps: Multi-sport camps that combine athletic training with a strong Christian emphasis on teamwork and character.
- G2 Youth Groups: We assist the Bahamas Youth Network with their weekly youth gatherings for kids ages 11-18, including small-group, biblically-based discussions.
Health Assistance
Prioritizing Maternal and Child Health
Our work is a lifeline, filling gaps in the local healthcare infrastructure. We focus on proactive, relational care that moves beyond crisis management toward long-term health stability for mothers and their infants.
Our Programs
- Stretch Out Your Hand (SOYH) Distributions: Providing essential sustenance and hygiene products—including proper nutrition, deodorant, diapers, and wipes—to support the health and dignity of the entire family unit.
- Partner Health Clinics: Strategically partnering with local nonprofit organizations to provide access to health clinics, filling critical infrastructure gaps for vulnerable families.
Economic Opportunity
Empowering Self-Sufficiency
True recovery requires creating sustainable economic pathways. We focus on building local capacity to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and move beyond short-term aid—connecting local producers and craftspeople with local consumers to keep resources circulating.
A Story
of Hope
A Story of Restoration
Rev. Knowles’ Return
This mission is powered by resilient local leaders like Rev. Knowles. For six years after Hurricane Dorian, Rev. Knowles lived with the heavy burden of a home and a church left in ruins. Despite his own loss, he shifted his focus to the needs of others, serving as a “one-man NGO” to bring medical supplies and food to those even more vulnerable than himself.
Today, Rev. Knowles is experiencing the blessing of restoration through a partnership with Many Hands. What he could not achieve alone in six years, God moved through our teams to accomplish in just six weeks. By helping complete his home and deck, we are helping a dedicated leader find his footing again so he can continue to shepherd his community with a renewed spirit.
The commitment we make is not ours alone—it is shared with you. The recovery in Abaco is a testament to the fact that when we make it happen for others, God makes it happen for us. Our presence on the ground ensures that leaders like Rev. Knowles are never forgotten and that your generosity reignites the flame of hope.
We are not just fixing structures; we are rebirthing reality for families. Together, we are making it possible for neighbors to finally say, “Let’s go home,” fulfilling our commitment to be Love in Action in Abaco.
Watch the Interview with Rev. Knowles
How to Help With Community Restoration in Abaco
How to Help With Community Restoration in Abaco
Together, we can impact the recovery and future of Abaco. Here are a few ways you can join us!
Join an Impact Trip
Experience the mission firsthand and put your Love in Action on the ground.
Support our Thrift Stores
Shop or donate at our Many Hands Thrift stores to fuel our essential programs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions
What is Many Hands for Abaco?
Many Hands for Abaco is a Christ-centered nonprofit committed to long-term Abaco disaster recovery & development in the Bahamas. Following Hurricane Dorian, we partnered with local leaders and families to move beyond short-term relief and toward sustainable community restoration in Abaco.
How is Many Hands involved in Hurricane Dorian recovery?
Many Hands for Abaco has focused on rebuilding homes, restoring education, strengthening local food systems, and empowering families to regain stability. Our Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts address both immediate needs and long-term resilience.
How is Many Hands different from other Abaco disaster relief organizations?
Many Hands for Abaco goes beyond emergency aid. As a nonprofit Abaco recovery organization, we prioritize sustainable development, local leadership, and spiritual transformation. Our Bahamas ministry programs are designed to restore dignity, build self-sufficiency, and create systems that last long after disaster response ends.
What types of programs does Many Hands for Abaco offer?
Our work spans six integrated focus areas:
- Agriculture and food security
- Education recovery and youth development
- Hurricane-resilient housing and safe structures
- Economic opportunity and workforce training
- Leadership and life development
- Maternal and child health assistance
Together, these programs support holistic community restoration in Abaco.
Why does Many Hands focus on rebuilding homes in Abaco?
Safe housing is the foundation for recovery. Our Abaco rebuilding efforts use hurricane-resilient construction methods to restore stability, protect families, and reduce vulnerability to future storms. We also prioritize hiring local labor to strengthen the economy while rebuilding.
How does Many Hands support education in Abaco after the disaster?
Many children experienced major educational disruption after Hurricane Dorian and the pandemic. Through our Bahamas ministry programs—like the Academic Recovery Program for Kids (ARK), literacy initiatives, and character development—we help students catch up academically while building strong spiritual and moral foundations.
What role does agriculture play in Abaco’s recovery?
Local agriculture is critical for food security and resilience. Our agriculture initiatives help families reduce dependence on imported goods by growing fresh food locally through greenhouses, school gardens, and sustainable farming training—strengthening community resilience in Abaco.
Is Many Hands for Abaco a Christian organization?
Yes. Many Hands for Abaco is rooted in Christian missions in Abaco, serving as the hands and feet of Christ. While our programs meet practical needs, they are grounded in biblical values, servant leadership, and a commitment to love people through action.
How does Many Hands empower local leaders rather than creating dependency?
Sustainable recovery is led by local people. Our leadership development programs equip youth and adults with biblical leadership principles, vocational skills, and mentorship—ensuring Abaconians are empowered to shape their own future beyond disaster recovery.
How is funding for Many Hands for Abaco used?
Support for Many Hands for Abaco funds long-term nonprofit Abaco recovery efforts, including safe housing, education programs, agriculture initiatives, and health support. Revenue from donations, IMPACT Trips, and Many Hands Thrift stores helps fuel sustainable transformation on the ground.
How can I help with community restoration in Abaco?
There are several ways to help:
- Join an IMPACT Trip and serve alongside local leaders
- Donate financially to support recovery and development
- Shop or donate at Many Hands Thrift stores
Each step helps strengthen families and rebuild communities.
Is Many Hands working with local partners in Abaco?
Yes. Collaboration is central to our approach. We work closely with local Bahamian leaders, churches, organizations, and diaspora partners to ensure our Abaco disaster recovery & development efforts are culturally rooted, effective, and sustainable.
