The name Jacobs Well is derived from one instance in the life of Jesus, when on his travels he met a woman at Jacobs Well in Sychar, a Samaritan village.  [Bible reference John 4 1-42]. Here Jesus set us a pattern for reaching out to others in its widest sense.

Firstly, Jesus begins by crossing religious and cultural barriers as he associates with a Samaritan (a race considered unclean by the Jews). Secondly, he approaches a lone woman, as opposed to the Samaritan leaders. This is a woman who has been cut off from her community because of her immoral lifestyle. Jesus displays complete love and acceptance of her, even when he reveals his full knowledge of her chequered past. In a very simple way, the woman recognises the nature of the long awaited Christ in him, before he then confirms that he is indeed the Messiah.

Her faith in Jesus’ declaration inspires her to return to her community to share this good news, therefore overcoming her previous isolation. This loving encounter with Jesus not only reconciles her as an individual to God, but it also restores her back to her community. In effect, Jesus uses this woman to impact the entire community with his good news. It’s very significant too, that Jesus does not focus on the favoured few - the good, the rich and the powerful - instead he reaches out to all people. He does not wait for them to come to Him, he meets them where they are (the well) and as they are, offering reconciliation, hope and a future. Choosing the name  ‘Jacobs Well’ to represent our work, we seek to put Jesus’ strategy into practice. As fully trained individuals with a desire to serve God, we feel that the provision of professional training courses is the best way we can make a difference. The responsibility of aiding people in the process of restoration is a demanding and challenging task. It is only as we work together with our different gifts and abilities that God can truly bring people new life, self-respect, completeness and finally peace and joy.

So, since 1994, our training has specifically targeted (usually but not exclusively) young people from poor backgrounds, with no employment prospects, living in slum conditions on the streets of urban cities to teach them different employable trades. Our training looks to impact the lives of each individual in a holistic way, including life skills and basic literacy. Our hope is that these young people will be transformed, equipped and empowered not only to carve out new and positive futures for themselves, but also to impact the communities that they return to.

If you’d like to learn more about our Vocational Training work, please click here