Provide education
“The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation.” Nelson Mandela
Why is education important?
Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” We agree. Without a vision, the people die, but if the people can’t read or understand the vision, they also die. That is one of the many reasons that education is so important to us and that the “E” in HOPE is critical to the future of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the world. Not only do we have our own formal school on site for our children, but we also support an adult education program. Education leads to empowerment.
Our mission to provide education
How Does Poverty Affect Education in Eswatini?
There are a few things that complicate the education of Swazi children. First, even with free tuition in elementary school, students must still purchase and wear a school uniform, complete with black school shoes. This cost is prohibitive for many students who have lost their parents and are living with a grandparent raising many children.
The second problem, and perhaps an even bigger one, is this: To register for school, you must have a birth certificate. Unfortunately, it has become almost impossible to get one if both parents are not alive and present at the registrar’s office. There is little hope for those who have been abandoned (150+ of our children still do not have birth certificates). Almost half of the child population of Eswatini cannot attend school because they do not have a birth certificate.
Our Mission to Break the Cycle
Heart for Africa’s mission is to provide a world class education to the children living on Project Canaan. Schools have been and will continue to be built to provide for the ever-growing number of orphans being left in the wake of disease, poverty, drought and starvation. This will provide them a chance to live and grow as well as be educated to help break the cycle of ignorance and poverty in their generation.
Project Canaan Academy
In 2014, we opened the Project Canaan Academy (PCA) with our oldest children going into preschool at the age of 3. The Project Canaan Academy is a Christ-centered learning environment from preschool through Grade 12, that is specially designed to empower and inspire students to develop to their potential intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually, so that they can be the future leaders of Eswatini. The school implements a hands-on, project-based approach to instruction and adheres to a philosophy that addresses the needs of the whole child as well as practicing current, research-based education with an emphasis on Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory. This theory explains how children learn and emphasis the diverse abilities of children and the need to assess learning using multi-dimensional evaluations.
The mascot of Project Canaan Academy is Aslan the Lion.
In 2018, Project Canaan Academy gained accreditation through the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa. You can learn more about ISASA here: https://www.isasa.org.
Sponsor a Student
We believe the children that come to us will be the next generation of leaders and solution seekers to the many challenges this tiny kingdom faces. We have a commitment to train and educate them to bring positive impact to Eswatini, Africa and the world.
The cost to sponsor a child’s education for one year is $62.50/month. You can also make a one-time gift of $750. Donate online today to pay for an African child’s education at Project Canaan. Join us in educating a generation filled with HOPE.
Building for a Bright Future
Starting in 2020, and because of the number of children living on Project Canaan, it was decided that we would need to have two classes for each grade. This plan began in 2020 with our first grade class. Each year after we will need to build two classes per grade. The older students had a smaller number of students per class based upon how many children were placed with us in our early years. We have been able to work on a long-term fundraising strategy knowing that we didn’t have to build it all at once. We will steadily continue to build the school looking toward our first high school graduating class in 2029.
Give here to support the building of new classrooms as we grow.
Empowering Adults through trades and learning
While our children are getting an excellent education, we believe we can also help our adult staff with furthering their education. We have joined forces with a government-sponsored program called Sebenta (means “we work” in siSwati), which is an adult education program. It is a three-year, six-hour-per-week course taught by volunteers from Project Canaan. It’s a huge commitment for the teaching volunteer and for the students. During these classes they are learning the alphabet and basic reading. They are learning their numbers, simple addition and subtraction. They are also learning some critical thinking techniques, which may seem simple to us, but really challenge the learner.
We also have bi-weekly lunch-and-learn style lesson for all 300+ Project Canaan staff. It’s called “Lehora leKufundza,” which in siSwati means “knowledge is power.” This program educates our staff on the health and social issues that nearly every Swazi encounters on a daily basis. Topics include HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, STDs, family planning, birth control and hygiene. The social topics discussed include child protection, domestic violence, violent crime, children’s rights and myths around albinism.
Another important area under our education initiative is a focus on vocational training – not only training and employment for local Swazis today, but developing programs that will benefit our children in the future. Many of our children won’t go on to a post-secondary education, but with excellent training in trades, they can become the best mechanics, master carpenters or millwrights in the country. Every country needs these skilled trades, especially developing nations.
The Kufundza Carpentry Center
Carpentry was the very first trade that we focused on. The Kufundza Carpentry Center (means “learning” in siSwati) is a place where men and women are trained in the trade and are able to get their full certifications to become Master Carpenters. All of these people are fully employed and paid, further supporting our “Poverty” pillar.
Lusito Mechanics
Our Lusito Mechanics training program includes everything from changing a tire properly on small cars to fixing a JCB backhoe, putting new tracks on a Bobcat, maintaining and repairing a D5 bulldozer and even servicing 200kVA generators. The Lusito Mechanic Shop is a busy place and a critical part of having a well-running farm and project.
FAQs
Currently, we have more than 200 children enrolled in Project Canaan Academy from preschool to 5th grade.
We have an incredible staff of teachers and assistants at Project Canaan Academy. Our Head Teacher is Celestine Mutinda. Our school has hired and is equipped with the best educators in the country.
PCA is not only an education facility for the children who live at Project Canaan, but also serves as an outstanding private school for children who live at the local golf resort and are able to pay for a private Christian education. Their fees help cover operating costs, thereby reducing the fundraising required.
In 2018, Project Canaan Academy gained accreditation through the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa. You can learn more about ISASA here: https://www.isasa.org.
Along with the basics of reading, grammar, math and science, Project Canaan academy has a program for Fine Arts, including music, Physical Education, and Computers. We will also offer classes in robotics!
We have many students with educational challenges. Our team of special education teachers are very busy with many children with special needs, but we are always amazed at how many of our children quickly catch up to their classmates and are discharged from the special education class. Our teachers are committed to the success of every student.
Our kids love sports with football (soccer) being their favorite. We have both boys and girls soccer teams who play against local teams in the area.
You can donate online. You may also elect to make regular monthly payments if you wish by completing our ACH form.
Ready to make a difference?
Heart for Africa is a faith-based non-profit 501(c)3 public charity (EIN: 36-4509500).
Mailing Address: Heart for Africa, P.O. Box 1308, Roswell, GA 30077
Phone: 678.566.1589
