Egg Farmers visit Project Canaan
In November of 2023, we were thrilled to have a team from our partners, the Egg Farmers of Canada, join us in Eswatini to see Project Canaan and, of course, the project their expertise made a reality, the Egg Project! Jeff and Barb Regier were a part of this team and they took the time to share their experience with us! Thank you, Jeff and Barb, for coming to Experience Eswatini, Project Canaan and the project that the Egg Farmers of Canada has helped us implement! Thank you for saying YEBO!
First of all we had no real expectations, however, we were excited to go to Africa and Project Canaan. Our first encounter was a great start. We were met at the Johannesburg Airport by two young ladies, Chloe and Jocie. They got us checked in and sat in the lounge with us and filled us in on some of the details.
The next morning we met the rest of our group and the USA boss David. Great guy and we promptly nicknamed him USD (Dave or Dude). They loaded us and our gear and off we went to drive to Eswatini.
The country was beautiful. Along the drive we noticed any and all agriculture. Once in Eswatini the countryside was still beautiful with some big Ag nearby as well.
We were put up at Bush Baby Lodge in the Nkonyeni Lodge and Golf Estate. Very nice and unexpected as we were only about 20 minutes to Project Canaan and the surrounding area was not really flourishing. That night we had a gathering and dinner at the golf course, which was where we ate most nights.
As egg farmers, we knew about Project Canaan and the support it receives from us at EFC. Our first day through the gates was quite overwhelming. We all took pics with the sign and then went to the main office to meet our new friend and local leader Ncobile. Wonderful lady. She kept us in line for the week. So to get us started we toured the whole project. We saw the wood shop, greenhouse, dairy, poultry and some of the kids buildings. We spent some time playing with the toddler group. Amazing. This first night we shared at dinner some thoughts and we all had pretty high emotions. This place is amazing, kids are amazing. Life altering to say the least.
For the next 6 days we were shown more depth into the project. We saw the Khutsala™ Artisan shop with their many staff and the awesome stuff they make. The wood shop and the furniture and artisan stuff they produce. The greenhouses and dairy. Awesome.
We were particularly interested in the egg farm as we already knew a bit about it. We were all excited to see it and we spent the afternoon with Siphiso, and did eggs and some chores for the rest of the day. Fabulous experience to see and know what they do with the product.
We were also there for Janine’s 60th birthday which meant parties everywhere. The kids had a party day with games and swimming and I saw them even playing floor hockey. So exciting.
We were able to tour more of the facilities and see where all the kids lived and the schools. This set up is all in order and runs like a machine. The kids all look very happy and love to see visitors.
Project Canaan is not just its own machine, I call it the Beast! It provides thousands of meals outside the project to surrounding church groups and kids. We were able to participate in a church group visit. We took a few kids from the Project with us and they also got to learn and see what goes on outside of Project Canaan. The same happened when we visited a homestead. We go and get groceries (food from Project Canaan) for a particular family that is in need. Again, an incredible experience in the local environment.
We also got to go to church with all 389 kids on Sunday. Another fabulous experience watching them arrive, sitting with them in the service, the singing and then to see them all leave. This was so well organized and fun.
With the high unemployment in Eswatini and extreme poverty, Project Canaan is an important part of this community. This Beast will not only raise brilliant little humans, it will also help so many others around them.
It’s hard to describe the Beast. An amazing place to see. We have been forever changed by our experience and we will continue to support Project Canaan. This beast needs to be fed and we will try from the egg farmers side to find something sustainable for the future.
Jeff & Barb Reiger, Egg Farmers of Canada
If you would like to Experience Eswatini for yourself check out the links below for more information!
