About The QCF Philanthropist Awards & Gala Lunch
We were honoured to visit the Brisbane City Hall Friday, 10th June 2022 for the 12th Annual QCF Philanthropy Awards Gala Lunch.
The Queensland Community Foundation (QCF) Philanthropy Awards raise awareness of philanthropy in Queensland, honouring community members and organisations who go above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in their community. The awards recognise their significant and beautiful works undertaken in the Queensland community and encourage supporting charities and community organisations doing amazing things!
Senior Pastor and Co-Founder of The House of Prayer and Open Hands Community Care, Mr Sheriff Jalloh was not only nominated but selected as 1 of 3 finalists in the award category of Emerging Philanthropist of the Year. This category is 1 of 8 award categories being awarded by QCF. All winners of each Philanthropy Award category were announced at their 12th Annual QCF Philanthropy Awards Gala Lunch, held at the Brisbane City Hall, with Ronni Kahn AO, CEO and Founder of Ozharvest being the keynote speaker for the event. To God be the Glory, Ps. Jalloh WON THE AWARD of 2022 Emerging Philanthropist of the Year.
How Open Hands Community Care was Founded
Over the years, since the planting of the Church, Pastor Sheriff & Mariatu’s call has spanned from preaching the word of God, providing essential support and developmental programs such as counselling, mentorship, evangelism and various community outreaches.
Being committed to ensuring the message of Jesus Christ is not only known but felt, whilst ensuring that lives are saved, delivered and transformed in Christ Jesus globally, has led to the Co-founding of the Open Hands Foundation in Sierra Leone, West Africa (2017) and the Open Hands Community Care here in Brisbane, Australia (December 2018).
Open Hands Foundation (OHF) and Open Hands Community Care (OHCC) serve as a social services ministry, catering to those marginalised within the community. The mission is simple! We exist to transform the well-being and quality of life for all, individuals and families, children and adults, one life at a time.
About Open Hands Community Care
OHCC is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Support Service provider, and we also offer Food Relief Services via our “Neighbourhood Marketplace”, which offers Emergency Food Relief Hampers, free & low-cost groceries, and essential household items to assist up to 200 families within Brisbane’s southside weekly.
Through our Disability Support Services, Open Hands Community Care Support Workers has been able to reach and cater to NDIS participants with community delivering tailored support in achieving their needs and goals.
Through our Food Relief Services, we’ve been able to deliver not only valuable savings in household budgets, but host week-long of food hamper giveaways annually (one in April and one in December), during which we distribute on average 100 Emergency Food Relief parcels per giveaway for free. Especially in 2022, which finds us with an ongoing pandemic, conflict, global warming and international tensions affecting global food security, resulting in the rising cost of food and living, initiatives such as this is Love in Action.
Whilst ensuring families are fed and nourished here in Brisbane, the same goes for children overseas, in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Since 2017, Open Hands Foundation
through economic empowerment schemes, and the “Take A Step to Empower a Child in Need” – Child Sponsorship Program, has been able to ensure the welfare of children, youth, men and women facing hardship and difficulties. The sponsorship program has been able to give annual scholarships to 30 orphaned and/or less privileged children in primary and secondary school, providing them with the following:
- Provision of school stationery items and support supplies.
- Payment of tuition and schooling fees.
- Regular home, school and welfare visitations.
- Provision of welfare, food and medical supplies etc.
Recently in May 2022, food supplies were distributed to all sponsor children and their guardians to aid in the rising cost of living, and food insecurity and shortage currently being experienced globally. In trying times such as this, this is evidence of the constant faithfulness of God, and being able to be a blessing not only here in Australia, but in Sierra Leone as well is purely rewarding.
What the Award Means for THOP, OHF & OHCC
This award win recognises not only Pastor Sheriff & Pastor Mariatu, but the entire Ministries of The House of Prayer and Open Hands Community Care, and their tireless efforts and contributions to individuals, the Church, and the Community at large, especially throughout recent times.
