Two weeks ago we had the official groundbreaking for the Project Canaan Academy High School (PCAHS) and it was really exciting. All 340 PC students, who are currently enrolled, were in attendance. The children performed, the teachers sang and we heard an inspirational message of encouragement from Canadians Steve and Marlys Heim and Principal Busi Sibandze. This school has a spectacular octagonal design and will be an incredible place of learning and growing in the years to come.
Ian a I are now back in Canada for a fundraising event for our new Project Canaan Academy High School. It has been an exciting month in Eswatini as we have been rolling out our next ten-year strategic plan as well as The HOPE Bridge program for our children when they finish High School. There has been lots of conversation about our goals to be operationally self-sustainable and also prepare for a successful launch of the children from Project Canaan.
I’d like to share a peak under the tent of what we have been discussing, with lots of planning ahead. First, our plan is for ALL of our children to finish High School. Even if they are significantly delayed, we are committed to do our very best to make that dream a reality. In Eswatini there is something called “Senior Phase”, which is 8th and 9th grades (high school starts in 8th grade here). Many local students don’t make it that far because school fees get steep and many are forced to drop out after primary school.
The next phase is called FET (Further Education Training), which is 10th-12th grades. All grades will have multiple tracks to keep every student engaged at their own level. Vocational training will also start with our 8th grade classes, and I think we are all the most excited about these classes. If we were to start vocational training right now we have many opportunities for our students to proceed with from mechanics, woodworking, cooking, hospitality, agriculture, bead craft, and many more.
The plan is that the first year after graduation will be a “gap year”, where students will get internships on Project Canaan, in other parts of the country or Africa, and even abroad. Their “home” will remain their current dorm room for that year and they move into HOPE Bridge housing.
Yes we are planners and we love planning for the future, but we also realize that our first graduating class is in 2030 – only five short years away. We need to be ready!
Speaking of planning for the future… do you have a will? I know that is not a conversation that anyone wants to have while they are alive, but believe me, if you don’t do it while you are alive you will leave a BIG mess for your family to clean up. Heart for Africa is partnering with a software called FreeWill which allows you to create a will for free, eliminating pain and conflict after your departure. You even have the option to add Heart for Africa to your will, if you so choose. But that is only optional. Whether you have a will already, or not, this software can help you better prepare for the future. If you have any further questions about this, please feel free to email our Executive Director, David Bryant, at david@heartforafrica.org.
Janine Maxwell, Heart for Africa Co-founder and COO