At Project Canaan in Eswatini, every beaded necklace, bracelet, and holiday ornament tells a story. For Nokwanda Fakudze, Manager at Khutsala Artisans, those stories are personal.

Nokwanda first came to Project Canaan in 2015. What started as a simple housekeeping job soon blossomed into a lifelong calling. After completing her university studies in Communications, she returned to Project Canaan and began working with visitors and volunteers. By 2021, she was asked to step into leadership at Khutsala™ Artisans, a role that would stretch and inspire her in unexpected ways.

“I was suddenly leading men and women much older than me,” Nokwanda recalls. “In our culture, that was a challenge. But I chose to learn first—by asking them to teach me how every bead and wire came together.”

Today, Khutsala Artisans has grown from 20 artisans during COVID to more than 110, each one supporting a family and building a brighter future. For Nokwanda, leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about relationships. She believes deeply in women’s empowerment, and has worked to raise up female supervisors within her team, earning respect and creating opportunities for others to thrive.

Project Canaan’s impact in Eswatini goes far beyond jewelry. By providing care for the more than 450 orphaned or abadoned children living there, providing education, job security, and community for families, the mission is shaping a generation. As Nokwanda puts it, “These children are truly the future leaders of our country.”

When you purchase from Khutsala Artisans or support Project Canaan, you’re not just buying a product, you’re investing in stories like Nokwanda’s.