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Heart for Africa
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Who We Are

Heart for Africa is a faith-based humanitarian organization focused on bringing HOPE to Africa in the areas of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education.

Together we can build a future filled with hope.

Together,
we can build a future filled with hope.

Since its founding in 2006, Heart for Africa has been committed to one bold mission: bringing lasting hope to vulnerable communities through sustainable solutions and compassionate care.

We tackle critical challenges such as hunger, abandoned children, poverty and limited access to education, offering practical and meaningful support. Every day, we witness progress made possible through strong local partnerships and the generosity of supporters like you.

Together, we can create generational change that transforms lives and communities for years to come.

Our Core Values

HONOR

We seek to glorify God in all we do, following His direction with trust and obedience.

RESPECT

We respect the people and culture of where we serve, approaching our work with humility and sensitivity.

SERVICE

We live out the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving others with compassion and love.

LOVE

We treat every person as created in the image of God - worthy of love, respect and equality.

EXCELLENCE

We pursue the highest standard in all we do, stewarding every resource and opportunity well.

Our Compass

JAMES 1:27

“Religion that God our Father considers pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

“Whenever you did one of those things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me – you did it to me.”

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Our Impact to date

Years

0

Of transforming lives and communities across Africa

Million

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Meals served to hungry children across Africa since 2009

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Orphans and vulnerable children cared for

Schools/Classrooms

0 +

Built or restored to provide quality education across Africa

0 +

Vulnerable children receiving full-time care and support

0 +

Jobs created to empower individuals and families

Our Journey Airplane to Africa

Our Journey

2006
Heart for Africa was founded and began leading mission trips to Swaziland (now Eswatini), South Africa, Malawi, and Kenya.
Janine Maxwell published her first book, It’s Not Okay With Me, in the U.S. and Canada, calling readers to act on behalf of the vulnerable.
The Maxwells relocated to Alpharetta, Georgia, where Heart for Africa USA was established.
2007
Heart for Africa led its first “double-mission” trips to Kenya and Malawi, while continuing trips to Swaziland and South Africa.
Partnering with children’s homes in Kenya and Eswatini, the team helped build dormitories and plant gardens — foundational efforts that represented HFA’s early commitment to sustainable food and care.
Partner Homes: Tumaini Children’s Home (Kenya), Merciful Redeemer (Kenya), El Shaddai (Eswatini), New Hope Centre (Eswatini).
2008
HFA was invited as keynote speakers at the Globalization Conference in Taiwan under the theme “Change the World Through Student Volunteering.”
2009
Heart for Africa purchased land for what would become Project Canaan.
On June 21, the land was officially dedicated and named Project Canaan: A Place of HOPE
Janine’s It’s Not Okay With Me launched in Taiwan.
HFA began focusing mission efforts solely on Eswatini, deepening impact through long-term partnerships.
That same year, HFA hosted the first Listemba gathering for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre, welcoming around 250 children from partner homes.
2010
By this time, Heart for Africa was working with six children’s homes across Africa, caring for more than 500 children.
Janine released her second book, Is It Okay With You?
The Listemba gathering grew into a national celebration, held at the Somhlolo National Stadium for over 10,000 OVCs, offering meals, blankets, Bibles, worship, and community.
HFA hosted its first fundraising event to support the Project Canaan Children’s Campus in Missouri and began its partnership with Rotary International.
2011
Heart for Africa teams participated in the Carlsbad Marathon in California and led the El Roi Service Trip to Eswatini for the opening of Project Canaan’s El Roi Baby Home.
The third Listemba event took place, this time on Project Canaan itself, welcoming busloads of children from 30 church partners.
Partnership began with the UPS Foundation (USA).
2012
The first Walk for Water event was held in Taiwan, raising awareness and support for clean water initiatives.
Partnership began with the UPS Foundation (South Africa).
The Maxwells moved to Africa to continue building and leading the mission from the ground.
2013
Heart for Africa hosted the International Youth Conference and another Walk for Water in Taiwan.
The Sisekelo Preschool opened on Project Canaan, the first step in what would become the Project Canaan Academy, through partnership with Women Leaders in Action.
2014
Rotary International built the Living Water Dam (Dam #3) on Project Canaan.
New partnerships were formed with North Point Community Church through the Be Rich Campaign and with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC).
2015
Heart for Africa launched new partnerships with Egg Farmers of Canada and Mercy Tech Mission, expanding agricultural and vocational training opportunities.
That same year, HFA was invited as keynote speakers at the 10th Global Youth Conference in Taiwan.
2019
Heart for Africa led a special service trip to Eswatini to celebrate Project Canaan’s 10-Year Anniversary, bringing together supporters and volunteers from around the world.
2021
Janine released her third book, Hope Lives Here, sharing the behind-the-scenes story of Project Canaan and the people whose lives have been changed by it.
Heart for Africa also began a new partnership with Gleanings for the Hungry to further expand food security efforts.
2023
Rotary International provided equipment for the new Lustio Mechanic Training Center on Project Canaan.
Heart for Africa hosted its first Founders’ Weekend in Florida, bringing supporters together to celebrate impact and share vision.
2024
The second Founders’ Weekend was held in Florida, continuing the tradition of gathering the HFA community to celebrate and look ahead.
2026
Heart for Africa celebrates 20 years of HOPE. Two decades of faith in action, lives transformed, and communities changed.

Heart for Africa was founded in 2006 by Ian and Janine Maxwell. Their vision was to bring hope to the people of Eswatini by addressing hunger, orphan care, poverty, and education.

Our U.S. headquarters is in Alpharetta, Georgia, and our main field operations take place at Project Canaan, a 2,500-acre development in Eswatini, southern Africa.

Heart for Africa was founded by Ian and Janine Maxwell. Together, they lead the organization with a passion for serving vulnerable children and building sustainable solutions for the future.

Heart for Africa was created in response to the deep challenges facing Eswatini, including high rates of HIV/AIDS, extreme poverty, food insecurity, and a large number of orphaned and vulnerable children. The mission is to bring hope through practical and sustainable solutions.

Our mission is to bring HOPE to the Kingdom of Eswatini by focusing on four key areas: Hunger, Orphans, Poverty, and Education. Every program and project is designed to make a long-term, sustainable difference in the lives of children and families.

Project Canaan is a 2,500-acre development in Eswatini, owned and operated by Heart for Africa. It is home to our children’s homes, schools, farms, and job creation initiatives. Project Canaan is the central hub of our work in Africa.

You can get involved by joining a service trip to Eswatini, where volunteers work alongside our team at Project Canaan, or by helping at events in the United States that raise awareness and support for our mission.

Yes. Many individuals, schools, churches, and organizations support our work by collecting much-needed supplies for the children and staff at Project Canaan. These supply drives are a great way to make a direct and practical impact.

In addition to financial giving, you can host fundraisers, organize supply collections, volunteer at events, advocate for our mission in your community, or join one of our service trips to Eswatini.

Since purchasing the land for Project Canaan in 2009, Heart for Africa has been actively building programs to care for children, grow food, create jobs, and provide education in Eswatini.

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