Mani del Maestro (Hands of the Master) seeks to meet the physical and spiritual needs of two specific groups of people – the impoverished, and victims of human trafficking in Genoa, Italy.

Around 400 people gather weekly at Mani Del Maestro. They attend Bible studies, visit the food or clothing bank, take a warm shower, or receive a hot meal. Volunteers provide the much-needed help, hope and care that leads to spiritual conversations.

Genoa has become a significant hub in Europe for human trafficking. This reality is heartbreaking. Many refugee women end up as prostituted persons. Most of these refugees come from Eastern Europe or Nigeria. In many cases, family members have been pulled apart. Often, they have come from extreme poverty and dysfunctional homes, void of hope and love.

To reach these women, Mani del Maestro’s Progetto Uscita (The Exit Project) team goes twice a month to the areas where prostituted persons work late at night. Team members hand encouraging letters to these victims. On a cold, winter evening the letters are accompanied by a cup of hot tea. The summer nights bring a cold drink. These items are welcomed by the women unaccustomed to kindness. Through these compassionate connections, they are inclined to listen to what the Mani Del Maestro group has to say.

In addition to the team’s bi-monthly visits to the trafficking districts, Mani del Maestro has also established an emergency safehouse in its community center. This provides a short-term solution before transporting “treasures” (how victims are referred to within the ministry) to another safehouse long-term.

It is the team’s heart and passion to be the hands and feet of Christ to those in Italy who are outcasts, hurting, trafficked, and forgotten. You can be part of this.