What brought me to Project Canaan
Heart for Africa (Canada) and Project Canaan have become very prominent elements of my life ever since my girlfriend, Jocie Breton, became the Marketing Coordinator of Heart for Africa (Canada) in September of 2023. Jocie and I became great friends with both Chloe Maxwell and her now husband Asad Akhtar throughout our studies at Brock University. Jocie actually took over Chloe’s role, which has only brought the four of us closer.
When it was announced that Chloe and Asad were getting married in Eswatini and Dubai, friends and family from all over the world booked their plane tickets and packed their suitcases to go and support them. I personally came to Project Canaan for 2 reasons. #1: to celebrate the love of two incredible friends, and #2: to truly experience a place I have heard so many incredible things about from Jocie. Naturally, because Jocie is my person, it’s easy to take an interest in her and her passions. I have and am seeing first-hand how Heart for Africa (Canada) is impacting her and changing her life for the better. With both Jocie and I having remote jobs, I feel lucky to get a “VIP behind the scenes” let’s call it, vantage point to her job. It has been a blessing and privilege to observe her, study her, and watch her fall into her purpose. On top of this, it has been intriguing to learn and see all that goes into making Project Canaan the place it is… or so I thought.
Some thoughts on Project Canaan
If asked to describe Project Canaan in one word or sentence, I wouldn’t be able to. It wouldn’t do proper justice to all that it is. In simple terms, I feel as though it is a truly special place that hosts hope & opportunity for a community that desperately needs it. Project Canaan is a place where miracles happen every day. Kids and staff are given hope that they otherwise wouldn’t have had. Some of the stories I heard were both heartbreaking and incredible all at once.
On top of this, the attention to detail that goes into the various projects onsite is incredible. The project is thoughtfully efficient with goals to reach self-sustainability.
Here’s some of many examples that impressed me:
- Food is produced onsite. Fruits & vegetables of all sorts (bananas, peppers, carrots, papayas, onions, potatoes, and much more) are grown. Dairy products are produced by the dairy farm that is onsite which allows the kitchen to make cheese, yoghurt, milk for the babies, butter, mozzarella and Gouda cheese. The Egg Farmers of Canada have played a pivotal role in resourcing chicken layer barns onsite, which have allowed Project Canaan to distribute over 11 million eggs to surrounding communities, which provide key nutrients.
- There is a large effort to avoid waste. Excess fruits get made into delicious jam. They produce soap from banana leaves and avocado oil. Big shoutout to Dudley, the Project Canaan Services Manager, which includes managing the Kitchen.
- There is a large mechanic shop onsite – Lusito. They fix it all. The roads in Eswatini are bumpy and vehicles take a beating. This shop is host to skilled professionals & professionals “in development” that provide a much-needed service.
- There is a woodworking shop onsite – Kufundza. With 426 kids and counting living at Project Canaan, there is a big need for furniture. From beds, to cabinets, to desks and chairs, it is all beautifully built at Kufundza. I wish I could’ve taken a chair home with me in my suitcase!
These are just a few examples that stood out. If I listed everything that impressed me, you’d be here all day. Overall, the mission is host to innovative business operations that provide employment and will continue to impact local communities for generations to come. Project Canaan is filled with brilliant young minds that one day, thanks to educational opportunities, will be driving forces on these various initiatives for years to come. I thought I was going in with a decent sense of expectation, but boy, oh boy, did I underestimate this place. All elements of the project left me in awe. The experience moved me so much that I feel a duty to sell & tell people in my network about the mission of Heart for Africa (Canada) and all it stands for.
The kids
The kids who call Project Canaan home are special. Each kid I talked to greeted me with a smile and displayed exceptional mannerisms throughout our back and forth. They had a unique way of filling your cup with their infectious personalities; each being so full of life and having a way of making you feel special. They ask intelligent and intellectual questions and listen to your reply with intention. They were especially helpful as I learned some basic greetings in siSwati,and were especially patient and kind as I struggled through my pronunciation. YEBO!
One of my favourite memories included greeting Nathan (my name twin) and asking him how he was doing. His response: “Oh, you know, just living life to the extreme”. He’s a funny guy. Another one was getting pulled onto the dance floor by Caleb, a place where I am typically very uncomfortable and robotic, and for the first time in my life, felt I had the permission and ability to dance like no one is watching.
As a sports nut, I was naturally drawn to playing soccer and basketball and participating in track and field activities with the kids. Their personalities transcended the games being played. These kids are exceptional teammates. During basketball & soccer games, there was no “ball hogging”. These young athletes consistently “found the open player” and leveraged each other to ensure they had the best chance of both winning and ensuring everyone was a part of the team. They don’t stop smiling and they dish out high fives constantly. Whether it was David making an incredible slam dunk, or me turning the ball over for the 7th time with a careless no look pass, it didn’t matter, there were positive vibes all around. Let me also say these kids have exceptional cardio. Me on the other hand… let’s just say basketball and soccer were both humbling experiences.
My first homestead visit
I had the pleasure of meeting Anthony on this trip, the Head Nurse who manages healthcare at Project Canaan and is also a big part of the Project Canaan Hunger Initiative. He is a special person with an incredible story, anyone would be lucky to meet him.
I had the opportunity and privilege to visit a homestead with Anthony and Jocie. This entailed a quick trip to the grocery store to gather food and supplies for a family in need, followed by a 15-minute drive down some of the bumpiest roads I had ever driven on.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by 9 kids, the Gogo (Grandma), and another adult woman, all beaming ear to ear. We exchanged names, we were given a tour, shared a dance or two, and then I had the privilege to pray over the family. A truly special, but very humbling experience.
This family had very limited access to resources. The only water nearby was a small, fairly narrow and very shallow creek. There is no filtration system to clean this water, yet they use it for everything – consumption, bathing, cleaning, etc. No electricity. The amount of food that we delivered, which cost approximately $60 Canadian, will likely last a month for 10+ people in the family. They expressed that this was like Christmas to them, as it was likely going to be all they had this month.
It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later
The day we were leaving was sad because I was leaving so many new little friends. I look forward to returning and seeing how much the kids develop and grow. I know that they are destined for greatness, and it would be a blessing to have the opportunity to witness their growth. I also met some incredible people that work at Project Canaan. Ncobile, Allen, Arthur, Nokwanda, Anthony, Dudley, are just a few of the staff that had an amazing impact on my experience. I appreciate them all and look forward to seeing them again soon.
My experience was life-changing. I have been trying to make an effort to be more present, and while at Project Canaan, it was very easy to be present. The older I get, the more I realize that I feel the most alive and present when I put myself in environments where my heart is impacted and fulfilled. I can now say with the utmost confidence and will tell anyone who is willing to listen, that Project Canaan is truly a place where impact is made every day. I left feeling inspired, as though my life and perspective had been touched for the better. It is clear to me that Project Canaan is a place I want to return to. I encourage all my friends and family to take the time to understand all that this place is. You’ll be happy you did. Until next time PC…
Nate Laird, Heart for Africa Volunteer
Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime? Click HERE to learn more: HEART FOR AFRICA TRIPS