Ryan Forbes, Many Hands’ International Consultant and resident of Abaco, shares his heart and his pride in the success of the Many Hands’ Home Repair Program. Learn how we’re changing lives, one home at a time.
As we approach the end of July, we reflect on an incredible four months seeing the hope brought to the Abaco community through the Many Hands Home Repair Program. Many Hands for Bahamas, known locally as Many Hands for Abaco, has dedicated the past two and a half years to impactful programs and initiatives on the island. Our work includes academic recovery in schools, agricultural development, vital feeding programs, engaging youth sports camps, relational ministry, community rebuilding efforts, essential motherhood programs, and, most recently, comprehensive home repair initiatives. Through these efforts, Many Hands is actively transforming Abaco, driven by the love of Christ and the generous contributions of our dedicated supporters and volunteers.
Through Many Hands’ latest program rebuilding and/or repairing homes, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to positively affect so many families on the island. I’ve truly seen the community transformed and families touched. My heart is full knowing that we’ve helped so many vulnerable people in our community through this home repair program, providing both labor and materials to rebuild homes long affected by Hurricane Dorian – all at no cost to the homeowners. We’ve also had many groups of volunteers and construction teams from Many Hands Impact trips coming to the island. Each one has contributed tremendously to the construction efforts, and we’re beyond grateful.
Over the past five months, we are proud to have completed 20 homes. Each roof repaired and every window and door installed has provided safe, dry homes, protecting families from the elements. From the installation of essential electricity and plumbing to the hanging of drywall, interior doors, and the laying of tile, these homes are now truly livable spaces. Providing functional bathrooms and kitchens has made these homes comfortable, convenient, and truly operational. The Many Hands Home Repair Project has empowered these 20 families to return to Abaco and move back into their homes, free of charge, instilling renewed hope and peace in both their lives and their residences. As others witness the significant work being accomplished, they are inspired to contribute and serve one another.
Many Hands has consistently demonstrated the transformative love of Christ to the elderly, single parents, the disabled, the chronically ill, and the less fortunate, among many others who now experience warmth and safety. We have personally seen the tears of distress, the hurt, the hopelessness, the sickness, suffering, agony, and pain that these families have endured. Yet, through the intervention of Many Hands, these families are now experiencing much-needed relief. As shared by Yvonne, one of our beneficiaries whose home is currently being repaired, “From Hurricane Dorian in 2019 to now, I had absolutely no help. And now it’s 2025. I thank God for Many Hands!” Her testimony powerfully underscores the enduring need and profound impact of our work.
While we have been privileged to touch so many lives, countless families remain in urgent need of assistance. Unfortunately, these families often lack access to the necessary resources or means to repair or rebuild their homes on their own. But I am confident that Many Hands will continue to invest in long-term rebuilding initiatives to reach every family and bring light and hope into every home in Abaco.
“From Hurricane Dorian in 2019 to now, I had absolutely no help.
And now it’s 2025.
I thank God for Many Hands!”
About Many Hands:
Many Hands is an Iowa-based nonprofit creating local and global life transformation. Established in 2008, the organization aims to ignite generosity, grow community, and take people on IMPACT journeys to carve a new, better path to life. Each year, the organization reaches at least 25,000 people through its operations in the Caribbean, IMPACT Trips serving in Abaco, Bahamas, and Many Hands Thrift Markets located in Iowa.
Many Hands is called to transform together, to be love in action, in a broken world.
