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About
Our Story
We Believe Every Person Deserves Dignity, Safety, and a Real Chance at Independence
For 15 years, that belief has driven every meal served, every bed offered, and every skill taught at Healing Hands Community Project.
From Emergency Response to Sustainable Solutions: Healing Hands Community Project was founded in 2010 in response to urgent needs: homelessness, hunger, and violence affecting families across Nelson Mandela Bay, Gqeberha.
What began as emergency support has evolved into a trusted nonprofit serving thousands each year through structured programs that combine immediate care with long-term solutions. We don't just respond to crisis we build pathways out of it.
Our Mission
To provide safety, nourishment, healthcare, protection, and skills that help individuals and families rebuild their lives with dignity.
Our Vision
A community where every person has access to safety, opportunity, and the support needed to achieve long-term stability.
How We Work
Healing Hands believes that sustainable change requires more than short-term relief.
Our approach is:
- People-centred, responding to real needs with compassion
- Structured, with clear systems and accountability
- Collaborative, working with partners and service providers
- Forward-thinking, focused on long-term outcomes
We meet people where they are, while supporting them to move forward.
Why Our Work Matters
Poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and gender-based violence continue to affect families across our city. When crisis strikes, people need more than temporary relief they need a safe place to recover, skilled support to rebuild, and clear pathways to independence.
That’s what Healing Hands Community Project provides: dignified support that moves people forward.
Our Values
Dignity
Every person deserves respect, safety, and support without judgment.
Transparency
We operate with clear reporting, open communication, and accountable governance.
Community-Led Solutions
Our programs are shaped by the real needs we see every day in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Long-Term Impact
We measure success not just by services delivered, but by lives rebuilt and independence gained.
Who We Serve
Women and children escaping violence
People who are homeless or displaced
Youth facing emotional or social challenges
Students needing meals or toiletries
Street wanderers with no support network
Families affected by fires, floods, or sudden crisis
Children from underprivileged homes
Households struggling with poverty
Our Approach: Beyond Emergency Relief
The Challenge with Traditional Models
Many social support systems focus solely on immediate crisis response providing a meal, a bed, or emergency intervention. While essential, these approaches often create cycles of dependency without addressing root causes.
Governance and Accountability
We operate as a registered nonprofit with full transparency and professional oversight:
✓ Registered NPO 081-252 and Public Benefit Organisation (PBO)
✓ Section 18A tax-deductible donations
✓ Independent board oversight
✓ Annual audited financials
✓ Clear donor reporting and project tracking
Our Journey Forward
Fifteen years of service has taught us what works, where gaps remain, and how communities can be better supported.
As we look ahead, our focus is on:
- Building infrastructure and systems
- Strengthening coordination with public services
- Expanding access to safe shelter and protection
- Supporting pathways to independence and recovery
Our work continues, grounded in experience and guided by purpose.
Leadership & Founding Story
Magdalene Bangaree, Founder and Executive Director
Healing Hands Community Project was born from a simple observation in 2010 families in Nelson Mandela Bay were falling through the cracks of existing systems. Magdalene Bangaree saw homeless individuals sleeping outside churches, women fleeing violence with nowhere to turn, and children going to school hungry.
What started as a single soup kitchen serving 30 people has grown into a trusted organization serving thousands of meals in and around Gqeberha Central, but the mission remains unchanged: restore dignity and build pathways to independence.
Our Team
Healing Hands is led by a team of experienced social workers, healthcare professionals, corporate service providers and community development specialists who bring decades of combined experience in social services, trauma counseling, and reintegration support. We also collaborate with other organisations and institutions and share human resources that wil meet goals needed for project execution.
Board of Directors
Our independent board provides governance oversight and ensures accountability to our donors, beneficiaries, and community.
Our Partners & Recognition
Trusted Partnerships Built Over 15 Years
Over the past 15 years, Healing Hands Community Project has built strong, working relationships across government, health, and community sectors.
These partnerships strengthen our ability to deliver safe, coordinated, and accountable services to vulnerable individuals and families in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Government Partnerships
Healing Hands works in active collaboration with public institutions to ensure effective referrals, protection, and continuity of care.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality & Mandela Bay Development Agency
Social development collaboration, referrals, and community support alignmentDepartment of Social Development, Eastern Cape
Registered service provider supporting vulnerable populationsSouth African Police Service (SAPS)
Gender-based violence referral protocols and survivor supportLocal Clinics and Health Facilities
Healthcare referrals, chronic care coordination, and patient support
Community and NGO Partnerships
We work closely with community-based organisations and NGOs to strengthen local response, avoid duplication, and ensure individuals receive the right support at the right time.
These partnerships support coordinated service delivery and long-term outcomes.
Corporate and Foundation Support
Our work is supported by corporate and foundation partners who invest in community stability, protection, and sustainable impact.
These partnerships enable program delivery, infrastructure development, and long-term growth.
